All,
Bev Leeuwenburg and Jon and BJ Little joined me for a little birding in
Augusta County today. We first headed west on Rt. 250 towards the
Augusta/Highland County line and noted a surprise TREE SWALLOW on a wire
in Churchville. We arrived at the hairpin turn on Rt. 250 in Highland
County just past the Confederate Breastworks about 9:45. Within 10
minutes we heard a RED CROSSBILL calling as it flew down the ridge from
us. Shortly thereafter, we heard one calling from the trees just below
us and working it's way up the hill. Suddenly it was in the top of a
bare tree next to the road singing. It stayed there a few minutes only
to fly just as Allen and Pat Larner pulled up and were getting out of
their car. While we chatted on the side of the road, we heard one again
down the hill a bit but it never came into view.
We headed back towards Augusta County but stopped at the Confederate
Breastworks to use the facilities. As we waited a RED CROSSBILL flew
from Highland County into Augusta County and disappeared over the trees
calling the entire time. Nice county tick! From there we proceeded to
the Augusta Springs Wetland area which was recommened by Allen. Very
nice place and I highly recommend it. Notable birds there include
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, WINTER WREN, WOOD DUCK,
and BELTED KINGFISHER interspersed with the more common species. This
spot has a lot of potential in the spring.
From there we worked out way back north again trying a few spots in
Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties on the way home but we didn't find
anything particulary exciting except a pair of MUTE SWANs on Silver Lake
near Harrisonburg and some folks with a radio controlled speedboat that
no doubt scared everything else away.
Bring on the spring migrants,
Sue
--
Susan A. Heath
George Mason University
Environmental Science Department
Fairfax, VA
Secretary, Virginia Avian Records Committee
Keeper, Virginia Comp List at www.virginiabirding.org
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