Good morning and Happy New Year to all-
Today, Monday, after filling feeders and placing suet, I took a
casual glance toward the back yard, which has lately been the scene of
intrusions (welcome) by hundreds of robins. We are in Vienna off
Cottage Street, not the site of many unusual visits.
To my surprise, as I stood looking at a berry-laden Bradford
Pear, counting over 20 robins on the branches, some smaller birds took
a place within view, minus binoculars.
A pair of perfect Cedar Waxwings visited and remained on the
tree. While the robins chomp and drop the food, starlings gulp the
seeds whole, the waxwings chew before swallowing, looking elegant the
whole time. Their yellow tail tips were brilliant.
Since I had not had my fix of Cedar Waxwing Cafeteria last
April (which is located in the junipers and pines of the Manassas Bull
Run addition off Groveton Road, and not far to the southeast of the
markings for the old M house), I enjoyed every moment with these two
beauties until they were startled off by the other visitors.
Cedar Waxwing Cafeteria, part of the long trail formerly known
as Defunct Shopping Center, and which thankfully escaped the boondogly
rebuilding of the park to resemble days of old (which may have its
benefits but took habitats of kestrels and some others), is a joy to
behold when tens of birds buzz and drop for food among the berries.
Late April is something to anticipate for their visit is spectacular,
in our book.
Ellen O'Donohue
Vienna
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
