FreeLists / va-richmond-general / [va-richmond-general]

["Gerald Uhlman" <flyways@xxxxxxxxx>]

Seven hardy and eager birders hit the trail at Cumberland Marsh this morning
for some extreme birding.  Besides the usual white-throated sparrows and
cardinals, we had excellent looks at a yellow-bellied sapsuckers, a juvenile
and an adult bald eagles, a sharp-shinned hawk, a golden-crowned kinglet and
a pair of hooded mergansers.  Duck hunters across the marsh kept the ducks
skittish, but the marsh brought us teal and an unexpected heard greater
yellow-legs.  Mike Iwanik also found two specialties: a December gray
catbird and winter common grackles, flying overhead several times, that are
unusual in Charlottesville (well done!).  The mid-twenty degree temperature
during the early morning hours was invigorating, sharpening our eyes for
spotting elusive winter birds.

 

Jerry Uhlman

Nature & Conservation Writer

flyways@xxxxxxxxx