[va-bird] Monticello, Alexandria City Park, 5/27

All,
 
    The female Mourning Warbler seen by three birders  at 6:00 p.m. this 
evening between the second and third wares on the  stream. Best views were 
obtained from the right hand side of the  trail looking into and around the 
multi-flora rose bush on the far side of the  stream.
 
    To those who wrote me off line regarding my  earlier post and the "big 
deal thrush" I mentioned. This bird was either a  Gray-Cheeked or a Bicknell's 
Thrush. This bird was not vocalizing, so  I do not know for sure which Thrush I 
was looking at. But, I did have  an unobstructed, long, very close look at 
this bird. And, yes, to  those who asked, I believe this bird was most likely a 
Bicknell's Thrush,  mostly, but not just, because this bird was showing a fair 
amount of red in  its tail. This bird was not Veery, Swainson's, Hermit, or 
Wood  Thrush.
 
    Regardless, this spring, both Gray-Cheeked and  Bicknell's have been seen 
and heard at Monticello. I realize it is getting  late, but there was a "big 
deal" thrush at Monticello today. 
 
    Also, this afternoon a veteran birder located a  Philadelphia Vireo in 
the park. Consequently, lots of other birders had  a real good opportunity to 
get great looks at this bird. This  bird was a life bird for some, including a 
nine year old boy, named  Tyler.
 
    Tyler was in the park birding with his father and  younger sister this 
afternoon. And, after picking up the Philadelphia,  Tyler held court at the 
bottom of Monitcello, where he left five  veteran birders with open mouths and 
knowing smiles on our faces as he  carried on and mostly lead an incredibly 
interesting raptor conversation  with us. These are the moments and the people 
that 
make birding Monticello  an extraordinary experience. It isn't all about the 
birds.
 
Paul Kane
Falls Church,  VA                    
 
 
 
  
 
    

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