[va-bird] A Holiday Stroll at Accotink Refuge, Frfx Co, 12/27/02

VA BIRDers,

I visited the Accotink Refuge, on the Fort Belvoir army post, this morning.  
I had the day off for the holidays and, it seemed like a fine day for a quiet 
walk; I so seldom visit this area.  I parked at the big parking lot and 
started down the trail.  As I walked past the first wetland, on my right, I 
quickly heard several Song and Swamp Sparrows.  In response to a few pishes, 
some of the sparrows perched on the low branches of the trees/bushes in the 
marsh and continued to call out.  A Hairy Woodpecker called out and I spotted 
the fellow with a bill as long as his head was wide.  A vee of Canada Geese 
flew overhead, honking madly.  There was a bunch of Northern Flickers nearby, 
playing some sort of game of tag, as near as I could make out.

I continued down the trail and noticed the sun had begun to shine brightly on 
the landscape about me.  At the next wetland, on my left, an Eastern Phoebe 
called, emitting gentle "chip" notes.  It flew over to an open spot in the 
water and cocked its head, looking down I would suppose for a water bug or 
midge to appear.  I tried not to disturb it so that it would conserve its 
energy - late December nights can be cold.

I continued over Accotink Creek using the engineer's suspension bridge.  The 
bridge bounces alot which sometimes causes first time users to be a bit, er, 
cautious.  But I knew the one inch steel cables were in good shape (having 
looked at them several times in the past - as well as today).  Lots of 
chattering E. Bluebirds in the nearby trees that were joined with several 
scolding Tufted Titmice.  Nearby, a Winter Wren did its little morse code 
call and a couple of Hermit Thrush "chupped" with that low thrupping like a 
bass viola.  I walked down the trail along the creek towards the wetland 
overlook (the boardwalk has been repaired in places).  I walked quietly, 
sometimes pausing to just listen and observe.  At one point, I found myself 
surrounded by a few unseen sparrows in the green briar and other vines 
supported by a few snags.  I then pished, maybe twice, gently and somewhat 
quietly.  Immediately the White-throated Sparrows sprang up into the green 
briar, chattering away with "spinks" and such.  They were joined by several 
Field Sparrows.  I pished some more, and more flew in, joined by some Song 
Sparrows, all dancing excitedly above my head near the top of the vine 
encrusted snag.  Ten or more yards away, several Swamp Sparrows called out, 
"tseep!" from their cattail neighborhoods.  Two Carolina Wrens flew into the 
vines and joined in with their scolds; I pished a bit more, louder.  Blue 
Jays flew in, callling as they scrambled about over my head.  I tried a few 
Eastern Screech Owl trills and this brought in first one and then another Fox 
Sparrow.  Off to the side I spotted an American Tree Sparrow sampling an 
orange berry from one of the vines.  A Hermit Thrush landed nearby.  The 
dancing commotion over my head continued for several minutes.

As the commotion began to quell, I continued down the path.  When I neared 
the end I heard the low mewing of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  Two more 
American Tree Sparrows appeared, mixed in with Song Sparrows and they all pe
rched on the tops of a few short, eye-level bushes.  I stopped at the 
overlook and just sat quietly.  First a dozen, then two more dozen Red-winged 
Blackbirds rose out of the dull buff cattails, perching on the limbs of a 
nearby tree.  All were dressed in bright, contrasting female garb.  Looking 
at them, I recalled a time a few years ago looking at Red-wingeds just like 
these and trying to make them into some exotic sparrow.  I chuckled to myself 
at this thought.  In some ways, they would make a colorful sparrow, 
especially with the bright reddish buff supercilium they sported!  

I heard a Belted Kingfisher rattle as it flew down the stream.  Looking 
about, a small group of ducks flew by, Hooded Mergansers.  Guys and Dolls.  
They circled, perhaps looking for a spot to put down.  Or maybe waiting for 
me to leave their winter home?  As I got up to go, a Red-shouldered Hawk flew 
past and perched in the nearby trees that ring the wetlands; bright red vest; 
brilliant checkered back.  

Yep, it was a fine day for a stroll in the woods.

Wishing Good Cheer, Good Birds, and Happy Holidays to All,

Kurt Gaskill


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