[va-bird] Long-tailed Ducks, Smith Reservoir, Stafford Co, 3/27/04

VA BIRDers,

Birding highlight for Rich Rieger, Kim Peacock and myself were 5 Long-tailed 
Ducks this afternoon near the dam of Smith Reservoir, just outside of 
Garrisonville in Stafford Co.  Curiously, little else was on the reservoir!

We started off early in the Possum Point area of Pr William Co. finding many 
Brown Thrashers and Eastern Towhees.  Yellow-throated Warblers were observed in 
several locations - 7 all told in this area.  LA Waterthrush singing along the 
Cockpit Rd stream bottom plus a Pine and Yellow-rumped Warbler along the road.  
E. Phoebe, Brown Creeper and RC Kinglet were also along the road.  Quantico 
Creek Bay contained only a few waterfowl species, dominated by Wood Duck and 
Green-winged Teal.  We counted about 9 Wilson's Snipe in the muddy areas.  Many 
active Osprey nests in this area and one first winter Bald Eagle was met by an 
adult near its nest site.

After the morning shower we headed to the Leeslyvania SP and Neabsco Creek 
area.  Highlights were mainly the swallows at Neabsco with a few Barns and one 
No. Rough-winged joining the two dozen plus Tree Swallows.  Three Blue-winged 
Teal were also noted along with the more common puddle ducks.

We then visited the Widewater area of Stafford Co. finding a few more Pine and 
Yellow-throated Warblers.  Chipping Sparrows were singing in a few yards.  Some 
Am. Coots by docks along Aquia Creek and two dozen plus DC Cormorants.  The 
roadside edges added more Brown Thrashers, E. Towhees, and Golden-crowned 
Kinglets.  Juncos were singing in several locations.

After lunch we visited Smith Reservoir finding the Long-tailed Ducks as an 
adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew over our heads.  On the way home, a brief visit 
to Occoquan Bay near Veteran's Park produced about 50 Ruddy Ducks.

Kurt Gaskill
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