Greetings,
Yesterday, I birded the swamp by myself and the weather was perfect (sorry
Bob). I absolutely love to bird down there. Maybe it's the isolation of the
place and the feeling like I've stepped back in time that draw me to this
magical, eerie place.
I birded along the Washington Ditch and the Jericho/Williamson Ditches. I
found the most abundant bird to be PROTHONOTARY WARBLER! Without a doubt,
there were more Prothonotaries than any other species of bird. Best bird for
me was SWAINSON'S WARBLER(2) which was a life bird for me. I found one
singing along Washington Ditch, just east of the 2nd boardwalk from the
parking lot. The second bird was singing along Williamson Ditch, not far from
the bend with Jericho Ditch. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see either one,
but I sure got an earful. It was a thrill to id that song in the swamp after
hearing it over and over on CD at home!
Ovenbirds were almost as abundant as Prothonotaries followed by Yellow-rumps,
Common Yellowthroat, Am. Redstart, Hooded, Worm-eating, Prairie, Yellow,
Black & White, Black-throated Blue, Northern & LA Waterthrush, and
Yellow-breasted Chat in the warbler department. Who knows how many I missed
due to such an abundance of birdsong?
Other notables included: Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Red, White & Blue
Vireos, Great-crested FC, Indigo Bunting, Wild Turkey (1 seen along Lynn
Ditch) plus several River Otters and more butterflies than I could possibly
identify. I was surprised to find a Field Sparrow along Jericho Ditch. He
certainly looked out of place.
I hope to get back next week!
Laura Catterton
Manassas, Virginia
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