[va-bird] Catch up on Fairfax Co Sightings

VA BIRDers,

 

Now that the first phase of the holiday celebrations have passed, let me
catch up on a few sightings.

 

Saturday, Dec 24 the Wilson's Warbler was still present in the shrubby/vine
area north of the west side Hunting Creek mudflats (very close to the GW
Parkway and Dyke Marsh).  It was foraging in the vegetation, emitting a few
of its characteristic call notes.  No sign of the Lincoln's Sparrow. Eight
Bald Eagles held court on the riverside mudflats.

 

The Dyke Marsh Haul Road produced a single immature White-crowned Sparrow
near the bridge on the dogleg.  Additionally, at least one Eastern Towhee
and Gray Catbird called along the path.

 

A visit to Burke Lake produced two small geese mixed in with several hundred
Canada Geese.  Were they Cackling?  My limited looks were not convincing to
Cackling (the birds had their heads tucked) although their breasts were
darker than the surrounding birds.  My consolation was a Merlin strafing the
lake.  Also present: easily 36 Hooded Mergansers plus many more Common
Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, dozen plus Lesser Scaup, some Ruddy Ducks and
a Wood Duck.  Plus a pair of Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk.

 

Let me add that the Burke Lake Sector of the Fort Belvoir CBC is in need of
volunteer counters on Saturday, Dec 31.  This sector contains approximately
2400 acres of public lands (not contiguous) plus ponds, rivers and streams.
The habitat is a mixture of piedmont type (field plus edge), broad power
line cuts, landfill caps, and mixed conifer/deciduous woods.  And it was an
area of interesting Civil War engagements.  Such as the action of Captain
Frank Stringfellow (one of Jeb Stuart's valued scouts and noted spy) with
the 4th Virginia Calvary who crept up and surprised Company F of the
Pennsylvania Cavalry at the Widow Violet's House near the intersection of
Lorton and Furnace Roads (March 23, 1863).

 

- And you thought the location was famous because of its American Woodcocks!

 

Kurt Gaskill

703 768 2172

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