Birders,
What a cold but rewarding bird walk at Mason Neck State Park (Fairfax
County) today! Extensive ice on Belmont Bay concentrated waterfowl in dense
flocks, and also provided spots for the BALD EAGLES to stand. There was
lots of eagle activity-- I counted eight at one point, and had many more
sightings (but can't verify whether any were repeats). Probably the best
birds of the morning were the eight REDHEAD that flew in to join LESSER
SCAUP and RING-NECKED DUCKS, allowing for long observations through the
scope. I stood there until my fingers were quite numb. Several dozen
MALLARDS were out in the bay, with at least 80 AMERICAN COOT and two GADWALL
also in the limited areas of clear water. Other highlights included the
five woodpecker species observed--missed only Redheaded and Hairy--and the
tiny WINTER WREN that flushed from right beside the trail, then perched on a
fallen log about six feet from me, bobbing and kip-kipping indignantly for a
few minutes before flying off. A full species list is below.
Please join us for the weekly bird walk here at Mason Neck State Park, in
Lorton, VA, every Saturday from 9-11. We meet at the Visitor Center to
start with scoping the bay for waterfowl, then hike the one-mile Bay View
Trail. All are welcome and no reservations are needed. Please address any
questions to me at the email below.
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard Duck
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Bald Eagle
American Coot
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
Good birding,
Jodi Bucknam
Park Interpreter
Mason Neck State Park
7301 High Point Rd.
Lorton, VA 22079
703-339-2380
mninterpreter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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