FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Dyke Marsh, Frfx Co, 6/12/05

["Kurt Gaskill" <KurtCapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

VA BIRDers,
 

The regular Dyke Marsh Field Trip, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh
and free to all, took place today under partly cloudy skies and a mild
off-river breeze.  Before the Trip began at 0800, I visited Hunting Creek
mudflats and noted a Semipalmated Plover along with a Killdeer and many
Mallards - for the latter; two 1-2 week old broods were evident.  Highlights
of today's discovery were exceptional looks at Yellow-billed Cuckoos at the
end of the dogleg and Haul Rd. This pair seemed a bit possessive of the area
and did not go far despite our presence; we got a bit excited finding a
partially constructed nest in a Willow but it turned out to be a Red-winged
Black-bird's nest!  Also notable was the fine oriole showing with everyone
getting great looks at both Orchard and Baltimore - the latter has a nest
hanging in the lowest downward branch of a Sycamore near Dead Beaver Beach.

 

We saw the recently fledged Red-bellied WPs and came across a recently
fledged Yellow Warbler at the end of the dogleg in the Willows.  Cedar
Waxwings were in the picnic area (north side) and at the end of the dogleg.
It also looked like Common Yellowthroats are setting up shop near the end of
the dogleg, too.  A couple of Marsh Wrens were north of the trail but Least
Bittern escaped us today.  Warbling Vireos were in fine form with at least 3
different territories - we have moved into safe dates this week so perhaps
it will be a good year?

 

Osprey put on quite a show with over a dozen noted, many flying in loose
circles above us calling out - bragging about this year's brood?  Clearly
many were successful as we could find 3 nests well-attended looking from the
picnic area or the trail.

 

I went back near 6pm and found a Wood Duck on Hunting Creek and tallied a
few more gulls.  Overall, 48 species were tallied for the day.

 

Kurt Gaskill


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