VA-Birders,
A visiting birder wanted me to post the attached message. He has found a
place at Dulles Airport that hosts migrating warblers.
Thanks,
Jay
Note: forwarded message attached.
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--- Begin Message ---Hi Jay - sorry to bother you but I'm an out-of-state birder
- From: Eric.C.Pilotte.95@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Eric C. Pilotte 95)
- To: azure.jay2006@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: 28 Sep 2006 01:13:14 EDT
and I think I have a noteworthy sighting that may be of
interest to birders in the Northern Virginia area. If you
don't mind, I'd like you to post this to local birders. In
case you were wondering, I got your name and address from
the Virginia Birding listserv.
I work for a company based in McLean, VA but live in
California. While on business trips to VA I often try to do
a little birding and have been hitting a spot by Dulles
airport for the past 10 years that seems to be a decent
migrant trap (and is exceptional right now). The spot is
right next to the Dulles Marriott, along Navigation Road
(which is off of Autopilot Drive). From the Marriott
heading towards the rental car return area on AutoPilot
Drive, take a right on Navigation Road. At the corner of
AutoPilot and Navigation is a small baseball field.
Continue on Navigation Road until it runs into a small lake
and turns left along the edge of the lake. It is in the
area where Navigation Road turns left that I saw most of
the birds (there are volleyball courts in this area as
well). The main attraction seems to be the juniper-like
trees planted along the water, which is where I saw most of
the birds.
Anyhow, the sighting of interest is of Cape May Warblers.
After I flew into Dulles on Monday 9/25, I birded this area
from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. I saw 5 Cape May Warblers in all
plumages, including several adult males still in breeding
plumage. On 9/25 there were also 2 Parulas, 1 Palm, and 1
Common Yellowthroat in the area. Tonight I spent 15 minutes
before my flight birding in the same area from 5:45pm to
6pm and saw the following: 1 adult Cape May Warbler, 2
Black-throated Blue Warblers, 1 Yellow Warbler, and 4 Palm
Warblers. I've lived on the east coast most of my life and
have never found Cape May Warblers in high numbers
anywhere, so I wanted to give others the chance to see
these birds at this location. I would think this spot would
be quite productive in the early mornings of the coming
days.
Thanks,
Eric Pilotte
Benicia, CA
707-751-1890
--- End Message ---
