[va-bird] BLACK TERN, RUDDY DUCK, LESSER SCAUP at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co.; May 27

Hello, birders.

Jodi Bucknam and I had fun on this warm day at
Occoquan.  We didn't arrive until late morning but we
still had nice birds and birdsong was constant the
whole time.

Best bird was a nice BLACK TERN that we found from the
observation platform which overlooks Occoquan Bay at
the end of Deephole Point Road.  As we walked along
the trail we watched the bird off and on for about 20
minutes.  It flew just over the surface of the water
about 500 ft. from shore and appeared to be hawking
insects.  It was still doing so when we left the area.

Also observed from the above platform was a raft of
resting waterfowl - 9 SCAUP, all or mostly LESSER, and
28 RUDDY DUCKS.  The male Ruddies were beautiful with
their reddish brown breeding plumage and their bright
blue bills.  This raft was close, just offshore.

Some migrant songbirds are still present, with 5
BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH being
seen/heard.  Other neat birds included calling
NORTHERN BOBWHITE and KING RAIL.  Butterflies were
abundant despite the often cloudy conditions.  We
watched the bird banders band a female Cowbird.

We both recommend this refuge for those who seek edge,
wetland and brushy habitat birds, as well as
butterflies.

Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.

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