[va-bird] Ft Belvoir CBC Highights, 12/29/02

VA and MD BIRDers,

The following is a brief summary of the highlights of the recently completed 
Ft. Belvoir CBC  this past Sunday, 12/29/02. The count is centered near the 
Potomac River near Rt 1 and encompassed portions of southern Fairfax County, 
northern Prince William County, Prince Georges County and Charles County.

I believe the highlight of the count was not one but TWO ROUGH-WINGED 
SWALLOWS.  These were found by Bart Hutchinson and Ben Jessup at the Fairfax 
Co. water treatment plant in Lorton, just off Route 1.  There is video tape 
footage and we are hoping some stills can be extracted. I believe this 
species is a new addition to the historical count list.

Another great find was a Greater White-fronted Goose by Gwen Brewer off the 
Pistcataway Park area.  Mixed in with a small group of Canada Geese that were 
last observed flying over the Potomac towards VA.  A great bird - I know I 
spent part of this day looking for it over here in Fairfax County.

At this point, it appears the count tallied 108 species, for which all the 
volunteers deserve a round of applause.  Its only through dedicated 
individuals such as these that we can obtain information about our "backyard 
birds" which is so vital when land-use planning decisions are made, whether 
its for local, state or federal parks or the wood lot down the street.

Other great species reported on the count (and please blame my poor memory if 
I forgot something):  Common Loon off Fort Belvoir (the only one recorded!), 
many Double-crested Cormorants along the river (these are no longer very rare 
in our area in late December), Great Egrets near Piscataway and Fort Hunt, 5 
Blue-winged Teal at Jackson Abbot Refuge, Redheads in several places in small 
numbers, Greater Scaup in several places in lower double digit numbers, a few 
Common Goldeneyes in the Potomac off Mason Neck and in Burke Lake, probable 
Long-tailed Ducks off Fort Hunt, several Red-breasted Mergansers in various 
places, two Lesser Yellowlegs in the Great Marsh of Mason Neck (not to 
mention 28 Greater Yellowlegs!), Am. Woodcock peenting at Accotink Wildlife 
Refuge, double digit numbers of Laughing Gulls, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 
(and California Gull remains as Count Week), Boneparte's Gull at the Lorton 
water treatment plant, some Horned Lark over the Lorton prison site, 
Red-breasted Nuthatch at Pohick Golf Couse, Marsh Wrens at the Great Marsh of 
Mason Neck and Accotink Wildlife Refuge,  Brown Thrashers at the BLM 
Meadowood site near Gunston Hall and the Piscataway area, Pine Warbler at the 
Meadowood site, Palm Warblers at the Great Marsh and Huntley Meadows, 
American Tree Sparrows at several sites including the Great Marsh and the 
Occoquan Bay NWR, about 10 White-crowned Sparrows at the Lorton prison site, 
and Rusty Blackbird at Julie Metz wetlands.

Volunteer counters suggested the day was not overly birdy and few rarities 
were found by most teams.  Although I do not have all reports, the one thing 
that stands out is that kinglet numbers appear to have been noticeably down.  
Also note that winter finches were exceptionally scarce (that is, none).  
Incidentally, the weather was fantastic, with most ponds unfrozen; at least 2 
reports of bats were noted.  I also saw a dozen plus moths in the forest near 
sunset.

A more detailed report will be offered later.

Kurt Gaskill, compiler and chief bottle washer, Ft Bevoir CBC


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