After absorbing the morning shock of flash floods out here, BJ, her son Paul,
and I ventured around the area in search of breeding birds & butterflies. We
started out in Frederick Co., wandered into WV, and ended up at Blandy. Only in
WV did we find Grasshopper & Vesper Sparrows, 8 Wood Duck, plus 3 Horned Lark
(although we were barely over the border).
Best (and most surprising) birds were 4 SORA at the edge of Blandy's "Lake
Arnold". They were all juveniles and were extremely cooperative in that they
stayed out in the open for over 1/2 hr. No adults were observed, so we assumed
they may have been hiding nearby in the cattails? - the juveniles were quite
tolerant of any human presence and pretty much ignored us. We also assume they
probably had been the result of a brood at that very spot. Also at the pond was
a group of 10 WOOD DUCK (at least 2 juveniles). The "lake" has been drawn down
a lot, so it appears to be a good spot for shorebirds in the coming weeks.
We also encountered a good number of WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (as Kurt also
reported). One group appeared to be a family of 4-5 birds - all in an area
where we encountered them last year (FYI, in 2003, we found 12 active nests of
WIFL at Blandy alone). It's nice to see that species is still doing well out
here.
Also at Blandy, I photographed a nest of FIELD SPARROW with 4 eggs + 1
hatchling.
In Frederick Co. we found 2 GB Herons, 1 Great Egret, & a single Ring-billed
Gull (flying over the house at suppertime).
Jon Little
BJ Westervelt
Winchester
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