FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Pohick NVRP Golf Course Survey, Frfx Co, 6/13/02

[KurtCapt87@xxxxxxx]

VA BIRDers,

Julie Kutruff and I surveyed Pohick NVRP Golf Course yesterday morning, 
starting at about 0545 and finishing at about 0845.  This GC has been carved 
out of forested areas and old farms along Gunston Road near the Pohick Cr 
stream valley near where it empties into Pohick Bay and then into the Potomac 
River.  (The stream valley has very good breeding habitat for this area near 
the Potomac and is one of the last places Bachman's Warbler was recorded.)  
We visited all 18 holes and fairways, doing 3 min. point counts at the tee, 2 
min. point counts half way down the fairway, and counted notable birds or 
breeding behavior as we traversed the fairways via cart.  The Virginia 
Bluebird Society maintains an excellent Bluebird trail at the GC.  
Addtionally, the GC has 2 "wild" areas where natural forbs, plants and young 
trees are growing - perhaps 1-2 acres each.  Also, a martin house has been 
placed near a large pond that is ringed by Wood Duck boxes.

We tallied 51 species for the GC which seemed about right given the habitat 
mix that was present.  Most notable species were Wood Duck (1), Yellow-billed 
Cuckoo (4), E. Wood Pewee (11), E. Phoebe (1), E. Kingbird (1), White-eyed 
Vireo (1), Yellow-throated Vireo (1), Red-eyed Vireo (14), Blue-gray 
Gnatcatcher (10), E. Bluebird (17), Wood Thrush (1), Brown Thrasher (1), E. 
Starling (26), Cedar Waxwing (2), No. Parula (3), PIne Warbler (6), Prairie 
Warbler (3), Scarlet Tanager (2), E. Towhee (2), Song Sparrow (1), Com. 
Grackle (31), Orchard Oriole (1), Brown-headed Cowbird (7), House Sparrow 
(13).  About 380 birds were noted.

Some of the better species were found on or near the wild areas - E. Phoebe, 
E. Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Prairie Warbler, E. Towhee, Song Sparrow, and 
Orchard Oriole.  The single Wood Thrush and Yellow-throated Vireo were 
singing from extensive forested areas near two different tees.

Kurt Gaskill


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