Laura Catterton has been having trouble posting to this list and asked
me to forward her report of yesterday, April 2.
Greetings,
At 6:15 this morning at Huntley Meadows, I watched a pair of Yellow-crowned
Night Herons near the beginning of the boardwalk, feeding on some
really long worms. What's that expression about the early bird...? I observed
them at close range for twenty minutes and during that time, small
flocks of Rusty Blackbirds streamed across the marsh, landing in the treetops
near the YCNH. I estimate about 100 Rusties. What a nice early
morning treat! I had the place to myself from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Other highlights of the morning: Great Egret (2), Am. Wigeon (2), Blue-winged
Teal (1), GW Teal (15), N. Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (1 adult), C. Snipe (7),
Red-headed WP (2), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), N. Rough-winged Swallow (3),
Tree Swallow (6), Brown Creeper (2), Winter Wren (1), plus many
singing Swamp Sparrows and Am. Goldfinch. I missed the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
and Palm Warbler seen by others.
Congratulations, Maryland Terps!
Laura Catterton
Manassas, Virginia
