Hello, birders.
My friend Jodi, I, and 4 other birders spent the early
morning at the NY Monument area of Manassas
Battlefield. This is a great birding spot in the fall
and I feel fortunate to live fairly close by.
It was delightfully frustrating trying to decide what
birds to focus on at first. Later on, either the
birds calmed down a bit or I settled down. Anyway,
our best birds of the morning were a heard
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at the forest edge on the E side
of the field and a seen RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET in the
middle of the field. Both of these species are early
and this is the second weekend in a row that I've
heard or seen them in Va.
We spotted a vireo, either a Philadelphia or a
Warbling, which generated some discussion as to its
ID. It had a faint yellow wash below, esp. on the
breast and undertail coverts. These characteristics
suggest a Philly, but we couldn't see the lores well.
I don't remember how strong the eyeline was, either.
Darn. Some in the group called it a Philly but I
think I'll probably be conservative and call it
Philly/Warbling, since this species, my nemesis bird,
would be a lifer for me. This spot is supposed to be
good for Philly and I hope to see a definite one here
this fall.
List of MIGRANTS seen by myself or called out by
others:
Am. Kestrel
Y.b. Cuckoo
R.t. Hummingbird
E.W. Pewee
empid sp.
Gr. crst. Flycatcher
Warbling/Philly Vireo
R.e. Vireo
Blue Jay (flying all over the place)
R.b. Nuthatch
House Wren
R.b. Kinglet
Am. Robin (flying all over the place)
B. Thrasher (migrant?)
Cedar Waxwing (migrant?)
Ches.-sided Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Pine Warbler
Bay-br. Warbler
B&W Warbler
Am. Redstart
Com. Yellowthroat
Sc. Tanager
Rose-br. Grosbeak
Com. Grackle (flock of about 20)
In my neighborhood I saw a migrant OSPREY and a female
COOPER'S HAWK with prey, a possible Mourning Dove.
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
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