Listservers,
I've been taking a walk in the Dismal Swamp NWR weekly on Thursdays.
Yesterday the new arrivals included Prairie Warbler, Ovenbird,
Black-and-white Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush. The LAWT was
probably missed by me the previous week. In fact the Prairies,
Ovenbirds, and Common Yellowthroats have arrived in numbers. The
White-eyed Vireos are also now common. This week no Hermit Thrushes
were heard or seen although last week they were singing commonly in that
soft pre-migration voice. This week Ruby-crowned Kinglets were still
singing their cheerful, bubbly song. Although several Blue-headed
Vireos were singing last week, none were heard this week. This week a
pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were building a nest. For those who
follow butterflies a Pearl Crescent was new this week for the year. Last
week Spring Azure, American Lady, Henry's Elfin, Juvenal's Duskywing,
Zebra Swallowtail, and Cabbage White were seen.
Watching gulls in parking lots, particularly those lots with some
standing water for drinking and bathing, is a great late winter/early
spring pastime. You just drive up and look at them up close and very
personal. You can study plumages to your heart's content. That's what
I did today at Little Island City Park in Virginia Beach, just above
Back Bay NWR. Most of the gulls were Ring-billed Gulls, but a near
adult and a second year Lesser Black-backed Gull were nice to
study...feather by feather in the warmth of the car with great music in
the background.
The Bald Eagles at Stumpy Lake have some young. It's interesting to
watch the nest from the spillway. Back Bay NWR also has an active eagle
nest with young but in a location that is inaccessible. Also at
Stumpy Lake are many Double-crested Cormorants sitting in the cypress
trees, standing in the water, along with several hundred Tree Swallow, a
nice contrast in size and shape.
Cheers,
Bob Ake
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