I tried to juggle a big day with my almost 8 year-old daughter and Kurt's
Fairfax County count. Miraculously, everything seems to have worked out.
Sarah had fun, but has been feeling sick, and bailed after the morning.
I got Sarah up at 4 a.m., and we were at Bull Run PO Rd. by 5. No whips,
but we did hear a peenting WOODCOCK. Then we went to Sully Woods (nee
Hunter-Hacor) off Pleasant Valley Rd. for sunrise. We heard GREAT HORNED
OWLS hooting and TURKEYS gobbling, then walked the perimeter of the big
field. Sarah was a real trooper, as this was a difficult walk in tall, wet,
tick-infested grass. Highlights included at least 2 singing GRASSHOPPER
SPARROWS, 1 CHAT, at least 8 singing PRAIRIE WARBLERS, 1 NASHVILLE, 3
CUCKOOS. As we were walking down the driveway back to the car, I saw a song
sparrow by the old horse ring. Only it looked more like a Lincoln's
sparrow. It flew to the far side of the ring. I sat Sarah down with
snacks, and tried to find it again. As I was getting ready to give up, up
it pops on the fence 8 feet from me with a big green caterpillar in its
beak: a beautiful LINCOLN'S SPARROW.
Next we went to the Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority, where we saw little
unusual other than a freakish mutant Canada/greylag/domestic goose cross,
but got good looks at an eagle and NRW swallows.
We were about to take a quick walk at Westgrove Park (off Ft. Hunt Rd.),
when my wife calls on the cell with a birding question. One of our
neighbor's has a fledgling owl sitting by her front door. Home we go, to
see the BABY BARRED OWL (half downy, half real feathers). Both parents are
in trees nearby, so we advise our neighbor to leave it alone, and if all
goes well it will climb a tree and be fine. We take a few pictures (through
the scope). Sarah takes her leave, and I bird White Oaks Park and parts of
Hollin Hills. Highlights there include 9 species of warbler, including my
first MAGNOLIA of the year, 2 BLACKPOLLS, 2 WATERTHRUSHES (presumably
northern), and at least 10 BTBs; BLUE-HEADED VIREO, a SWAMP SPARROW, and a
pretty intense interaction between a barred owl, Cooper's hawk, and a crow.
Couldn't come up with the hermit thrush or white-crowned sparrow that I've
had in the last few days.
Next, I went to Westgrove (I don't recommend it) and Mt. Vernon District
Park where I had nothing out of the ordinary. Back home, to type my results
up for Kurt, take a nice nap, and have dinner. Then off to Huntley to brave
the gale-force winds for sunset. The best bird was a very cooperative PIPIT
(best looks I've ever had) working the golf-green grass near the boardwalk
loop. In the failing light, I also saw a peep that I am pretty sure was a
SEMIPIPER mixed in with a number of LEASTS. There were also at least six
SEMIPLOVERS (first of the year for me), and all the amazing quantities of
common shorebirds that have been there recently. There are at least a few
RUSTY BLACKBIRDS left as well.
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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