VA-Birders,
There has been no reported sighting of the LeConte's sparrow at
Occoquan Bay NWR since last Saturday morning. The numbers of hopeful
birders have dwindled. I have been there every day since it was first
seen, keeping an eye on Bayview Road, and it does seem the bird may
have left. I hope it avoided the talons of the Merlin reported on
Monday by Paul Sullivan (no relation, but a nice guy) and has a safe
journey to its wintering grounds.
I thought it might be worth reporting that other sparrows were
plentiful along Bayview and Charlie this showery and overcast morning.
There was never a moment when there was not a sparrow to look at.
Oddly, some of the warm and sunny days last week were rather slow.
Switch grass, a beautiful native grass, planted by the refuge managers
is a big favorite, especially with Savannahs, Songs, and Swamps, it
seems. It appeared that the LeConte's enjoyed it too.
Highlight of the morning was seeing a flock of about 12 White-crowned
Sparrows, along with many Fields, feeding on Charlie Road, occasionally
flushing to the bushes along the side, and then returning to the road.
Bob Klarquist and I will be leading a walk at the refuge for the
Northern Virginia Bird Club on Saturday, beginning at 8 AM. Come on out
and join us!
Conservative, rough estimates of sparrow numbers:
Eastern Towhee 1
Field 14
Savannah 8
Fox 1
Song 30
Swamp 8
White-throated 25
White-crowned 12
Paula Sullivan
Alexandria
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