Hello VA-Birders,
This morning at the weekly Friends of Dyke Marsh bird walk, Fairfax County, 50
species were tallied. Where migrant birds were relatively few, several
interesting species were noted. Among these were a SPOTTED SANDPIPER on a
small island off Haul Road, a lingering female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and
several CASPIAN TERNS flying and loafing in Hunting Creek.
We were surprised that the only warblers consisted of 11 YELLOW-RUMPED
WARBLERS, but this should improve as we get favorable weather conditions this
coming week. We did briefly see a WHITE-EYED VIREO, a singing RUBY-CROWNED
KINGLET, and two BLUE-GREY GNACTATCHERS.
Finally, on the way out of the marsh, we heard and spotted a MARSH WREN among
the grasses. To get a better look, I unknowingly clambered up onto the roots
of a fallen tree which Rich Rieger pointed out was covered with newly-sprouted
Poison Ivy. I think I managed to avoid an outbreak, but hopefully this is the
case! I suppose some level of dedication to a cause is always expected...
The species list follows:
Jay Keller
Double-crested Cormorant 45
Great Blue Heron 5
Canada Goose 35
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 7
Red-breasted Merganser 1
Osprey 7
Bald Eagle 2
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 38
Ring-billed Gull 18
Herring Gull 14
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Caspian Tern 13
Rock Dove 6
Mourning Dove 9
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 16
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 28
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Marsh Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 8
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 18
Yellow-rumped Warbler 11
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Common Grackle 19
Brown-headed Cowbird 13
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 42
House Sparrow 6
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