FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co.; Dec. 10

[Scott Baron <brnpelican@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello, birders.
  
  Like other birders in No. Virginia, I found the birds to be quite  active 
despite Saturday's cold weather.  It was 15 F at Sky  Meadows at 8:15 this 
morning, warming up to the mid 30s.  There  was a snow cover of 2 or 3 inches 
from Friday morning's storm.
  
  The best bird was one that, unfortunately, I couldn't identify.  A  Snow 
Bunting or Lapland Longspur flew overhead going SW.  I  couldn't actually find 
the bird but it called often, giving a  downslurred, loud, "chew" and also a 
short rattle or trill.   Either species would probably be a first park record.
  
  Sparrows were very common in the woods and wood edges especially Song  and 
White-throated.  Field, Towhee and Junco were also heard  and/or seen.  All 7 
woodpecker species were seen.  4 Hermit  Thrushes, a good number for the park, 
called from a short stretch of  the South Ridge Trail.  Nearby, a flock of 8 
dapper plumaged Cedar  Waxwings fed in berry laden vines.  One or two waxwings 
had an  orange tip to the yellow banded tail.  The only raptors that I saw  
during my hike were a couple of Red-tailed Hawks.
  
  My walk took me from the Visitor Center to the AT by way of the South  Ridge 
Trail.  Quite a few hikers were out in the cold today, which  surprised me.
  
  Scott Baron
  Fairfax, Va.
  

                        
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