About 9 birders joined me for the ANS-sponsored walk at the Mason Neck National
Wildlife Refuge and State Park (Fairfax County). The birders were delighted to
have excellent views of two breeding pairs of Yellow-throated Warblers at the
end of Sycamore Road (restricted area). One female was very cooperative as she
brought nesting material to a tree about 9 feet above our heads. We also had
great views of Northern Parulas and a foraging Black-and-white Warbler.
The end of Sycamore Road brought more Yellow-throated Warblers, a flyover
singing Baltimore Oriole, a perched male Orchard Oriole, and brief views of a
Blackburnian Warbler.
The next stop was the GB Heron Rookery, with lots of birds busily tending their
nests. Meanwhile, tree swallows brought nesting material to a nearby nestbox.
The most common larid in the bay were Bonaparte's Gulls with at least 450
present.
Two Prothonotary Warblers were singing at the marsh at the state park and Wood
Thrushes sang from the wooded area. All in all, good company and a very
pleasant day.
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxx
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