FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] A GREAT VSO WEEKEND

["Riggs'" <sheba@xxxxxxxxxx>]

HI Va Birders,

I want to thank the Monticello Bird Club, John Zimmerman and all the members 
for a great weekend.  What a fantastic job you did with the field trips, the 
speakers, and the banquet. I knew it was going to be special when Pat Holmes 
took us to Ivy Creek Natural Area on Friday and a Swallow-tailed Kite was one 
of the first birds we saw(WOW).  Saturday John Zimmerman led us on a 3.5 mile 
round trip hike to South River Falls in the Shenandoah National Park.  
Unbelievable looks at the warblers and John's added information on the birds 
habits and songs were an added treat that will long be remembered.  The birds, 
the wild flowers, the falls and John Zimmerman made this a very special trip.

On the way down from the mountain we stop at Montpelier to see the forest.  
Four Hundred and Fifty year old trees, we missed the paper sessions couldn't 
leave the woods.  I wanted to spend the night but the staff didn't think that 
was a good idea and my birding companions did not want to get arrested for 
trespassing.  So we did make the banquet.  Kevin Karlson was on and needless to 
say the program was good.

Sunday Fran Boninti and Peggy Cornett led us down the trails that Thomas 
Jefferson traveled at Tufton Farm.  The birding was great it almost seem like 
the birds were in cages waiting to be released as we passed by.  Fran and Peggy 
did a wonderful job explaining and showing the plant life along with the birds 
seen.  Of special note was the information on Thomas Jefferson and his interest 
in plants.  Exciting was when two members in the group got life birds at the 
end of the trip.  A Wilson's Warbler was heard chattering in a tree, along with 
a Magnolia Warbler.  

Thanks again Monticello Bird Club for a great weekend of birds.  Birding with 
old friends and meeting new friends, life is good.  I would have never dreamed 
I would have started the weekend with a Swallow-tailed Kite and ended it with a 
Wilson's Warbler.

Thanks!
Bob(Be Birding)Riggs
Lebanon,Va.


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