The Harris's Sparrow was still present today (2/23) around 1 PM at Julie Metz
Wetlands in Prince William Co. When I arrived just before 1, a couple of other
birders (Bob Cross and another gentleman) had the memorial under observation
but hadn't seen the Harris's yet. A few minutes later, the Harris's "appeared"
on the right side of the path just past the memorial. Then almost immediately
flew directly towards us and began to feed with the other sparrows gathered
beneath the Holly Tree. We got great looks for about 5 minutes before it
"vanished". I stuck around until 2 PM hoping for the Clay-colored to appear
which it did not nor did the Harris's reappear. Also here were 10 Am. Tree
Sparrows, 1 Fox Sparrow and numerous White-throats and Songs. Also, 1 Rusty
Blackbird in the marsh.
After leaving Metz, I was lucky enough to catch low tide conditions at the
mouth of Neabsco Creek. There were thousands of gulls here. I observed a pale
1st winter Iceland, a relatively dark 1st winter Thayer's, and an adult
California Gull amongst the hordes of Ring-bills, Herrings, and Great-black
Backs. Oddly, no Lesser Black-backs could be found but who am I to complain!!
Good Birding,
Mike Boatwright
Amherst, VA
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
