[va-bird] La. Waterthrushes Riverbend Pk. 3/29/06

There were three Louisiana Waterthrushes at Riverbend Park (Fairfax County) 
this Wednesday morning near the inland pond about 1/2 mile up river from the 
Visitors Center.  I saw two foraging along the pond's overflow stream while a 
male in a tree above (never could spot it) sang repeatedly.  It was singing the 
variation of its song which to my ears sounds like the first line of the 
refrain of "Chanson Boheme" from Bizet's Carmen.  

Highlights along the river included 3 Blue-winged Teal, six Wood Ducks, 
Pied-billed Grebe, 25 Buffleheads, maybe 150 Ringed-neck Ducks scattered along 
the 
river, and many Great Blue Herons flying overhead (probably part of the Conn 
Island rookery).  Land birds were in full spring song (YES, including singing 
Phoebes). Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Flickers.  The wildflower show is 
getting underway with VA Bluebells (Mertensia), Bloodroot, Toothwort, Spring 
Beauties, and Violets starting to bloom. 

Ralph Wall
Great Falls, VA

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