VA BIRDers,
Sorry for the late posting - a technical problem reared its ugly head!
The regular Sunday morning Dyke Marsh Field Trip was well-attended with a
dozen birders turning out for a bit of summer birding. The weather was
wonderful, slight breeze, cool in the early AM, spotty clouds at the end.
No big highlights although the BBS canoe crew reported a few Least Bitterns
in the Big Gut and bucketloads of Prothonotary Warblers. And due to the
diligent searching of our participants, we found a Red-eyed Vireo nest
(typical globular, hanging from a branch) over Ramp Rd. We came across
several singing orioles and noted a few visually, including several first
year males strutting their stuff. Osprey put on the usual good show - the
close-by nest by Ramp Road is a great photo op and we noted a half dozen
birds soaring over the Little Gut from the boardwalk at the end of the
dogleg which overlooks the Potomac. Warbling Vireos were typical - high up
and not easy to find - but a couple found two along the boardwalk. Two
Marsh Wren were quite vocal - and quite well hid from our prying eyes!
Yellow Warblers put on a fine show, including this one male which -
repeatedly! - chased a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher up and down the trail. After
trails end, we hoofed it back to the cars and noted a Gray Catbird
attempting to get our attention.
Kurt Gaskill
