The 'flood' of Fox Sparrows has spread to my local patch -- suburban NVa,
between Annandale and Fairfax. I have had only one Fox Sparrow resident for
the whole winter; and another one appeared a month ago, about a quarter of a
mile to its south. Both of these birds were refound this morning. Amazingly,
there was also a group of at least 4 birds between these two 'old' birds. And
a seventh was found a further quarter mile south of the most southern of the
'old' birds. I have never found more than 2 Fox Sparrows here before.
Location: a powerline easement adjacent to Wakefield park.
Some parts of this area are breeding spots for Red-winged Blackbirds. One
suitable area to the south always has a small group of females throughout the
winter, but never any males. (The only time I ever see any winter males is
every few years or so when we are visited by a mixed group of blackbirds.)
Another suitable breeding area to the north never seems to have any winter
residents, male or female. This morning, the northern area had 2 males,
energetically competing with each other, but no sign of any females; while
the southern area had its winter females, but no males. I am thinking of
starting a dating service!
Every time I go by last year's Red-shouldered Hawk nest, it is a bit more
built up than the last time. But I have not seen any birds around the nest
site at all. I am not sure what is going on.
Stephen Eccles
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