[va-bird] Mason Neck SP bird walk 11-25-05

Hi birders,

Today's bird walk was chilly but productive. A couple season's firsts were spotted (for the park, not the surrounding area)-- a Tundra Swan overhead, a young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and an American Tree Sparrow. The "usuals" were abundant and chatty, from the kinglets and sparrows to the scaup. Duck hunters are active, but don't seem to be disturbing the rafts toward the center of the bay too much. Species list follows.

Ruddy Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Mallard
Tundra Swan (first reported park sighting of season)

Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle (2 immature, 1 adult)
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse

Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
American Tree Sparrow (first reported park sighting of season)

White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
American Crow
Fish Crow
Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (immature) (first reported park sighting of season)
Northern Flicker
Hermit Thrush
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Cardinal

Blue Jay
Belted Kingfisher
Mourning Dove
Northern Mockingbird

All are welcome to come on the Saturday bird walks, by the way. We meet at the Visitor Center at 7am (rain or shine) and bird until about 9 or 10, depending upon weather and bird conditions.

Mason Neck SP is on 7301 High Point Rd. in Lorton, VA. Don't count on Mapquest for directions, however-- it still sends drivers onto Gunston Cove Road, which has been closed for several months now. To get to the park from Lorton Road (where you end up if you take exit 163 from 95 south or 165 from 95 north), you'll need to turn right on Armistead Road a couple lights after Gunston Cove Road, then turn left onto Route 1, go a couple stoplights and turn left onto Gunston Road. Four or so miles down Gunston Road you'll find High Point Road on the right, which is basically the park's driveway. Parking is $4 on weekends, $3 on weekdays. Please contact me (at the number and e-mail below) with any questions. No bird walk will be held December 24 and during February; otherwise it's every Saturday year-round.

Good birding!

Jodi Bucknam, Park Interpreter
Mason Neck State Park, Lorton, VA

Mason Neck State Park
7301 High Point Rd.
Lorton, VA
703-339-2380
mninterpreter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement

You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email 
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.

Other related posts: