VA BIRDers,
Rich Rieger, Linda Millington and myself visited Blandy Farm in Clarke Co
Saturday, 1/10/04, and after walking the conifer row east of the pavillion,
refound the first winter female Black-throated Gray foraging on the cement,
stone bricks, and roof of the pavillion as well as nearby pines and the weedy
field adjacent to the south. Our observations took place at approx. 1000 and
yes, it was cold. Probably near 10F with a 5-10 mph north wind. The bird
appeared sluggish.
(This area still contained the Brown Creeper, a few GC Kinglets, and the YB
Sapsucker.)
Nearby at the offices, Rich and Linda found a dull yellow Palm Warbler visiting
a screened-in porch. Also, we met with staff members there who expressed an
interest in the Black-throated Gray's status, which we provided.
On our drive back and forth to Blandy, we noted Horned Larks at Sky Meadows SP
and Nokesville, an E. Phoebe pretty much in the middle of nowhere (but a
delightfully designed house was its perch!), a Great Horned Owl perched on the
northern edge of No. Fork wetlands sunning itself, and White-crowned Sparrows
at Blandy and Nokesville along roadside edges.
The next day in the late morning I refound the Clay-colored Sparrow at Julie
Metz wetlands (near the monument) before meeting up with Philip Klein and Jason
Waanders. No luck on the Harris's. We headed up to the Prince William Co.
dump where we observed the first winter Iceland Gull; the bill was solid black
save for a bit of ivory coloration on the underside near the base.
Additionally, I should note that Belmont Bay and Accotink/Pohick Bays were
frozen. Bald Eagles and Tundra Swans sat on the ice in scattered groups (yes,
some Bald Eagles sat together) along with some Canada Geese, Am. Black Ducks
and Mallards. Beyond the ice, large numbers of Common and Hooded Mergansers
were noted.
Kurt Gaskill
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