FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Rainy Day Birding Surprises

[KurtCapt87@xxxxxxx]

VA BIRDers,
I met up with Chip Johston at the Belle Haven marina early today for a canoe 
trip into Dyke Marsh.  I swear, it was not raining then!  We paddled south 
through the light chop on the Potomac to the opening into the marsh.  As we 
reached the mourth of the Big Gut (near Pipeline Bay), the water from the low 
clouds dropped upon us.  Ugh!  Although no new breeding bird confirmations (and 
let 
me tell you it was fairly dull birding as the skies poured forth), we did 
chance upon an usual site:  a Monk Parakeet on a snag on the river side island 
of 
the Big Gut!  Amazing!  Hmm, I wonder what the safe dates are....

(The way this weather is going, I suppose I should be out looking for rain 
forest birds.  Blue-gray Tanagers anyone?)

I used the balance of the morning to visit a few waterfowl locations in the 
hopes of finding somthing other than Mallards.  Just after noon I finally found 
another surprise - a Red-necked Grebe on Burke Lake!  Now that is one hell of 
a Virginia bird to find in July!

Kurt Gaskill


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