Birders,
It's been busier than expected today in the Mason Neck SP Visitor Center.
Thus I haven't been able to sneak out for birding. However, I had a nice
treat mid-day. I glanced up from paperwork to check the birdfeeders. We've
had several cowbirds loitering there today, a few grackles, and many
goldfinches. When I saw several dark icterid-types at the feeder, I almost
wrote them off, until I registered that one had a very pale beak. A closer
look proved we had an immature male BLUE GROSBEAK eating sunflower seeds
among the goldfinches and cowbirds! I got a nice look at the silver beak,
rusty wingbars, and mottled blue and brown plumage before he took off for
parts unknown. Glad I glanced up when I did. We don't get grosbeaks at the
feeders very often.
Don't forget this Saturday is the guided bird walk at Mason Neck SP. We
meet at the Visitor Center for a 9am departure, hike the Bay View Trail,
then conclude in the picnic area at 11am. Starting in September, the bird
walk will return to *every* Saturday morning, still from 9 to 11. No
reservations are needed, and all are welcome. Please address any questions
to the address below.
Good birding,
Jodi Bucknam
Park Interpreter
Mason Neck State Park
7301 High Point Rd.
Lorton, VA 22079
703-339-2380
mninterpreter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
