VA BIRDers,
Whilst setting out the garbage cans this morning, I heard a Worm-eating
Warbler in the trees nearby. So, naturally, I went to Mason Neck SP soon
afterwards. I slowly drove up the nearly 3 mile long entrance road marking a
tally sheet along the way and then birded along the Belmont Bay overlook to
the boardwalk and thence to its overlook at the small marsh. A great day
with lots of birdsong! The notables were:
Horned Grebe 1
DC Cormorant 210
Wood Duck 7
Lesser Scaup 47
Bufflehead 3
Ruddy Duck ca. 1450
Bonaparte's Gull 5
Belted Kingfisher 1
E. Phoebe 3, ON, nest is on light fixture under ledge of picnic area toilet
Great Crested Flycatcher 5
E. Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 15
No. Rough-winged Swallow 1
RC Kinglet 2, still singing
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 20
Wood Thrush 11
Northern Parula 22
Yellow-rumped Warbler 21
Pine Warbler 1 (musical sequence of notes containing 2 or more closely spaced
frequencies, slight tremelo effect can be discerned)
Black & White Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 5 (love that electric color!)
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 16
No. Waterthrush 1
LA Waterthrush 1
Scarlet Tanager 1
Chipping Sparrow 4 (flat, monotonous chip sequence)
Junco 1
Later today, I visited Dyke Marsh after the rain and ran into a Savannah
Sparrow in the picnic area grass. At least 3 E. Kingbirds present, and the
bay held a late Gadwall along with an Am. Black Duck, Mallards, Lesser Scaup,
RB Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks. Earlier this week, Spotted Sandpipers could
be seen from the picnic area.
Additionally, last night I added Wild Turkey to the "heard from the backyard
list."
Kurt Gaskill
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