FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Dyke Marsh/Sunday/July 2

[Zelig88@xxxxxxx]

Time flies on a Holiday weekend - one moment you're watching birds at Dyke 
Marsh, Alexandria and the next moment, fireworks are flying over the Mall...

I remember it was hot, nine people showed up and we did see some birds...also 
remarkable for what we did not see -  We mourn the passing of one of our 
favorite snags.  Large snag visible in the Potomac River, south of the first 
boardwalk platform, came down sometime last week. High winds and high water 
were 
assuredly a factor. Along w. the loss of the snag, was the loss of an Osprey 
nest, that probably contained chicks. A solemn passing, balanced by what 
appears 
to be a bumper crop of Osprey chicks in the nests we can see easily.  Nest in 
the marina contains 3 chicks (excellent photo ops here, folks) as does the 
nest visible from the last platform...They all seem to be doing well, let's 
hope 
there is an abundance of fish to see them thru...

Highlights of the trip - watching  a No. Parula family actively working close 
to the ground just south of Dead Beaver Beach. I found a Carolina Wren nest 
in the crook of a cedar tree near the picnic area restrooms - both parents 
bringing in food - and we had a juv. Brown Thrasher on the peninsula, near the 
wood bridge. One birder passed us on his way in and reported Least Bitterns 
under 
the last platform, but they were gone when we arrived...

Dyke Marsh walk starts 8am every Sunday in the south parking lot. The marsh 
is located orr the GW Parkway, just south of Old Town Alexandria. The walk is  
free to all...list follows..Rich Rieger

C. Goose - 75
Mallard - 36 (mostly in the inland lake in the picnic area)
GB Heron - 14
Osprey - 11 adults - 6 chicks
RB Gull - 40

GBB Gull - 1
Rock Pies - 6
MoDo's - 7
European Collared doves - 0
Chimney  (Loretta) Swits - 9
RB WP - 3

Downy WP - 2
No. Flick - 2
Pewee (hermans) - 1
E. Kingbirds - 2
Warbling Vireo - 2

RE Vireo - 1? 
Azure Jays - 8
Fish Crows - 5
No, RW Swallow - 3
Barn Swallow - 12

C Chickadee - 3
T. Titmoose - 9
WB Nuts - 2
Carolina Wren - 5
Marsh Wren - 1

Am Robin - 15
Catbird - 2
No Mockings - 5
B. Thrasher - 1
Euro stars - 18

Cedar Waxes - 6
No. Parula - 3
Prothon. warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 2
RW Blackbird - 30

C. Grackle - 7
BH Cowbirds - 3
Orchard Oriole - 1
Balt Oriole - 3
H. Finch - 2

AM. Goldfinch - 5
House Sparrow - 14