Hello VA-Birders,
Two people joined me today for the weekly Dyke Marsh walk sponsored by the
Friends of Dyke Marsh. There were lots of good birds to see and the conditions
were very good.
GREY CATBIRDS returned to the marsh, but one WINTER WREN continues on, as it
was heard twice along Haul Rd near Dead Beaver Beach. Speaking of which, a
Beaver was also seen swimming from that area today. Two PIED-BILLED GREBES
were enjoying themselves along with a few RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and COMMON
MERGANSERS in flight. OSPREYS have returned, and they are among the other
raptors noted which include a juvenile RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, BALD EAGLES, and
COOPER'S HAWK. Two EASTERN TOWHEES were also heard. Two of the nicest
highlights of the day were the two flocks of TUNDRA SWANS seen and heard
overhead flying north, totaling 142 individuals.
Also notable was the report of a passer-by walking his dog that an Albatross
was sitting on a post in the water!!! However, we tend to believe he might
have mis-ID'd a Great Black-backed Gull. ;-)
Please join us in the coming weeks as we start to welcome the Spring migrants,
which are highly unlikely to include Albatrosses. A complete list of birds
observed follows.
Jay Keller
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 9
Great Blue Heron 11
Canada Goose 65
Tundra Swan 142
Mallard 18
Lesser Scaup 35
Bufflehead 2
Common Merganser 13
Red-breasted Merganser 5
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 175
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Rock Dove 2
Mourning Dove 15
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 6
Winter Wren 1
American Robin 3
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 45
Eastern Towhee 2
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 18
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 35
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 5
American Goldfinch 28
House Sparrow 8
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