Seven birders spent Christmas morning on the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk. We tallied 37 species, with an abundance of ducks marking the day. The spectacular highlight was watching several hundred ducks, gulls, and geese in an explosive take-off at the same moment as our one immature Bald Eagle flew overhead. There must be some kind of inborn air traffic control mechanism at play in birds since there wasn't one mid-air collision in the frantic commotion. Canada Goose 200+ American Black Duck 3 Mallard 200+ Northern Shoveler 20 Northern Pintail 25 Green-winged Teal 150+ Hooded Merganser 6 Great Blue Heron 1 Bald Eagle 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Ring-billed Gull 90 Mourning Dove 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Downy Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker 8 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 Fish Crow 1 Carolina Chickadee 10 Tufted Titmouse 6 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 3 Eastern Bluebird 2 Hermit Thrush 1 American Robin 1 Northern Mockingbird 2 Field Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 25 Swamp Sparrow 9 White-throated Sparrow 40 Dark-eyed Junco 20 Northern Cardinal 7 Red-winged Blackbird 2 American Goldfinch 6 The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since 1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7 AM, is free of charge, requires no reservation, and is open to all. Birders meet in the parking lot at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA. For questions call the Park at (703) 768-2525. As a departure from the norm, next week's birdwalk will begin at 8 instead of the usual 7 as we did this morning. This will allow New Years revelers a little extra time to party before the birdwalk. Any birders interested in taking part in the Huntley Meadows sector Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, Dec 31 should contact Kurt Gaskill at (703) 768-2172. Harry Glasgow Friends of Huntley Meadows Park