There continues to be a great show at Ft. Belvoir, with BALD EAGLES and
OSPREYS being the star performers. For the past month or so, it's been
interesting watching all of the various waterfowl scramble whenever an eagle
flies overhead. Lately, at any time, a minimum of 6 eagles can be found at
the Accotink Creek/Warren Rd. recreation area. Late Tuesday afternoon there
were some 14 of the birds, of various ages, with 6 of them on one mud flat
together.
Ospreys are everywhere--in the trees, fishing, and eating their catches atop
poles. Last week and the week before, they were mating on their nests, and
now, this week, they are sitting on their nests. In the Warren Rd. area, the
birds are very tolerant of automobiles and people passing directly under their
nests--some five nests are adjacent to the roads. More nesting birds can be
seen on a piling on the water and in trees across the creek. And additional
nest poles were set up this week, so next year will be even better.
Of course, the eagles are shier than the ospreys, so binoculars are a
must--and scopes are recommended. It's not even necessary to leave one's
automobile--many birders wielding binoculars drive from one site to another
along Warren Rd., scanning the water, the island, the opposite shores, the mud
flats, and the woods.
If you'd like a map and instructions for getting on Ft. Belvoir, send me an
email.
Bill McGovern
Alexandria
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