FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Visitors from Japan- Thanks!

[Birdconsv@xxxxxxx]

Once again, thanks to the several people who responded to my request a couple 
of weeks ago for suggestions for an afternoon's birding with visitors from 
Japan.  We lucked out and had a gorgeous afternoon, but were limited by time 
with a bit under 4 hours in the field, including driving.  We hit only two 
sites--Mason Neck State Park and the Julie Metz Wetland Mitigation Bank.  Given 
the 
limited time and the season, we only ticked 32 species but they were almost 
all new birds for our guests.  The day's success was sealed when an adult Bald 
Eagle soared above us on the road into the park, but they were equally thrilled 
by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and the other birds we take for granted.  
Ducks were few in number of species, but impressive in numbers with hundreds 
of ruddies in the bay.  Just as the sun was setting at Metz, an immature female 
Cooper's Hawk landed on a nearby snag and called softly while we scoped her 
till time to depart.  Overall, nothing remarkable to report from a "hot bird" 
standpoint, but I chose to post both to reiterate my thanks and to encourage 
everyone who gets a similar opportunity to take it.  Helping other birders see 
new birds is almost as much fun as finding new lifers oneself.

Good birding,

Dave Davis
Arlington