VA BIRDers,
Beautiful sky, cool breeze, and low temperatures met 10 or more folks who
turned out for the regular Sunday morning Field Trip to Dyke Marsh,
sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to all. The highlight of
the trip was a Cooper's Hawk that flew up out of the forest near Ramp Rd (as
we viewed from the end of Haul Rd) and then flew south over the top of the
forest just above the trail, Fish Crows in close pursuit.
We began at the picnic area overlooking the Potomac River at 0800 viewing
the many Osprey nests plus a few DC Cormorants. The picnic area gave us
great views of Orchard and Baltimore Orioles plus a very obliging Great
Crested Flycatcher. In the marina we watched mama and papa Osprey feed at
least 2 little downy heads in the nest near the boat ramp and we found a
nearby Purple Martin - at least a one year old male and a possible early
migrant as this species does not breed at Dyke or nearby. We viewed a
Prothonotory Warbler foraging in the Mulberry Tree at Ramp Rd near the
parking lot plus a few young Downy WPs. The walk down the Haul Rd produced
more woodpeckers and orioles and a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Along the
dogleg we encountered Yellow Warbler, heard an elusive Marsh Wren, watched
Osprey being harassed by crows, caught sight of a distant adult Bald Eagle,
and had some fine looks at Eastern Kingbirds. A fine day to be out birding!
Kurt Gaskill
