I'm just back from Florida having looked for Ivory-bills with Harry
Armistead along the Choctawhatchee River for two weeks. Since it was supposed
to be a nice warm day, I thought I'd give the Great Dismal Swamp a walk. Renee
Hudgins and John Young joined me. We walked along Washington Ditch from 7am
'til 11:30am. It was indeed a very pleasant walk. Highlights included singing
Northern Parula and Louisiana Waterthrush, a triad of otters, and a nice
sprinkling of butterflies. The bird list follows: Pine Warbler 3, Eastern
Towhee 2, Carolina Wren 12, Pileated Woodpecker 4, Red-shouldered Hawk 2,
American Goldfinch 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 10, Brown-headed Cowbird 1,
Northern Flicker 8, Hairy Woodpecker 3, Carolina Chickadee 7, Yellow-rumped
Warbler 18, Common Grackle 4, White-breasted Nuthatch 6, Downy Woodpecker 7,
Turkey Vulture 5, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (singing) 11, Hermit Thrush (singing) 3,
Song Sparrow 4, Northern Parula (singing) 1, Wood Duck 11, Great Blue Heron 1,
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1, Winter Wren (singing) 1, Northern Cardinal 3,
Common Yellowthroat 5, American Robin 2, Eastern Bluebird 1, Louisiana
Waterthrush (singing) 1, Grey Catbird 1, Rusty Blackbird 30+, Cedar Waxwing 12
(feeding in mistletoe), Tufted Titmouse 4, Dark-eyed Junco 9, Blue Jay 1.
Three otters popped up right next to us, snorted, and moved along the ditch
with us as we walked. Spring Peepers and Leopard Frogs were sounding off. The
butterflies were: Question Mark 4, Eastern Comma 4, Mourning Cloak 4, Zebra
Swallowtail 2, Falcate Orangetip 2, Sleepy Orange 1.
I plan to take a walk in the swamp next week on Wednesday, March 21 (first
day of spring) along Railroad Ditch stepping off at 7am. Please join me if you
wish.
Cheers,
Bob
Robert L. Ake
6603 Catherine Street
Norfolk VA 23505
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