FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Far western Loudoun Co., pastoral habitat

["Mary Ann Good" <clintgood@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Three of us (Joe Coleman, Sharon Kearns, and myself) were treated yesterday 
morning to marvelous views of several species less frequently seen in this part 
of the state.  Joe took us to some of his favorite haunts in the Bluemont area 
for a 45-minute foray and we were successful with all the species we were 
hoping for.  First was LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, a lifer for me, that came on cue and 
posed for us on a telephone wire on Foggy Bottom Road, its usual hangout, 
although I'd not been able to find it in several previous searches.  It turned 
in all directions and looked sternly at us (hawklike), giving us great views.  
Our next quarry was BOBOLINK, one of my favorite birds as a young birder on a 
farm in New York state, and rarely seen since.  We saw two males, possibly 
hearing more, singing that great bubbly song from wires and in flight display, 
and dropping to the grass where, hopefully, they have nests.  While cruising 
slowly by the Bobolink field, what should appear on the board fence right next 
to the car but a BOBWHITE, making a perfect picture on the black rail (no, not 
the one at Huntley) with a stone wall in the foreground and the green field 
beyond!  He didn't mind our presence in the least, walking casually along the 
rail and keeping an eye on us.  Our attention was finally drawn to the singing 
of a WILLOW FLYCATCHER behind us in young willows by a meadow pond, in an area 
where they have not been seen before (although they do hang out a few miles 
away, near the Shrike).  All around us was the buzzing of GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS. 
 Also heard at the Shrike location were two YELLOW WARBLERS, and two GREEN 
HERONS flew over.  Joe sure knows how to set up a great parade of birds, and 
pack them all into a 45 minute jaunt!

I also wanted to report that Tuesday morning I heard, unmistakably, a 
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER in my neighboring field, at shrubby woods edge, also in 
western Loudoun (Purcellville).  I had heard/seen it twice near the end of May 
in an area slightly removed, but hadn't heard it since as its present location 
is hard to get to.

Happy birding to all!

Mary Ann Good
Lincoln, VA (near Purcellville)

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