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
