[va-bird] Dyke Marsh Field Trip, Frfx Co, 1/28/07

VA BIRDers,

 

Since all 8 of us heard the weather forecaster distinctly say that light
rain will pass in the early morning, we all showed up at Dyke - in light
rain (well, very light drizzle to intermittent mist) that lasted until, oh,
about 11am!  Still, not a bad way to pass a January day as it was somewhat
birdy.  The Bald Eagles were up and about, but only 3 were spotted this day.
Haul Road was the best payoff with good numbers of sparrows so all
participants had many looks at the 3 species - Song, Swamp and
White-throated.  We also got a fine looks at the white-headed Song Sparrow
(a few pigment controllers missing in the genes, ya' know).  Maybe we need a
nickname for this little bird? Along the trail were a flyover Red-shouldered
Hawk and then an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk looking for a sparrow snack. Three
Winter Wrens were along Haul Road and most got to see at least one of them.
We pished up a Fox Sparrow at the dogleg turn.  Along the trail we found
ducks in the lagoon - Lesser Scaup, Common Mergansers and Mallards.  Plus
the pair of Pied-billed Grebes near the canoe launch and Belted Kingfisher.
From the end of the boardwalk we spotted a group of Bufflehead, more scaup
plus 2 distant Hooded Mergansers.  On the way back, we encountered 4 Rusty
Blackbirds along the dogleg, only 20 feet from us!  A close in study was
interrupted by a few "Rusty" songs!  We ended the day 1 species shy of 40,
but considering the weather it was a fine total!  These Sunday morning Field
Trips are sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, are free to all, and start
at 8am each Sunday morning from the first parking lot.  See ya next Sunday!

 

Kurt Gaskill

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