VA BIRDers,
Rich Rieger and I decided to do a bit of scouting for the upcoming Fort Belvoir
CBC (Jan 4th). We visited areas that seldom see birders - all along the
southern boundary of Fairfax Co near the Occoquan River. We had a fine time
birding remote areas, many of which lay a half mile or more from the nearest
residence! Our highlights today were 2 Chipping Sparrows and a Towhee and a
great time hiking through pristine Beech woods laced with a few wonderful
rolling streams.
We started off at Sandy Run No. VA Regional Park. This is the area where the
rowing regattas are held in the spring and summer. This time around there were
no boats and a pair of adult Bald Eagles commanded the vista along "Lake"
Occoquan. We were told that these birds may have bred further upstream in
Fountainhead Park last year. The empty docks held a half dozen DC Cormorants -
a fine number considering its mid-December!
We walked the trail downstream towards the grandstands, sighting gulls, Common
Mergansers and a Belted Kingfisher over the river and many typical forest birds
along the trail. We struck cross country from the grandstands to a nearby
power line cut (about 1000 feet) and walked up the cut noting a couple dozen
Song Sparrows and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks. We looped back along the roads
to our parked car picking up more species along these seldom traveled roads.
Our trip took a bit less than 3 hours, including gab time with one of the park
managers.
We drove to another power line cut where we found a fine sparrow bonanza of
dozen Fields, many Songs, White-throats, and Juncos and the first Chipping
Sparrow, a first winter bird. Rich soon picked up the E. Towhee. During my
pishing, another sparrow came in which proved to be another Chippie (adult).
We drove down a few more roads, one of which ended at a horse stable and riding
school. Lots of birds along the weedy fence lines were found here. We spoke
with one of the hands who told us that many trails are in this area, some going
down to the Occoquan River. It seems likely we can gain access to this area on
count day.
We then drove around the old prison site noting two No. Harriers and a bunch of
Red-tailed Hawks. It was relatively easy birding for just an investment of 4
hours, but it seems like a great area for a team to take on count day. I am
sure a better species mix can be gotten with more attention and a bit more time
added.
If this route sounds like your cup of tea, then let me know and its yours.
Forest birds, field birds, river birds, and backyard birds. Trails, roads, and
some light cross-country hiking. And its quiet, too. The Occoquan River above
the dam is closed to all motor boats.
Kurt Gaskill
Here is the list of our 42 species.
DC Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 5
C. Goose 28
Common Merganser 7
Bald Eagle 2
No. Harrier 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 7
Am. Kestrel 1
Ring-billed Gulls 8
Rock Pigeon 20
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied WP 7
Downy WP 1
Hairy WP 2
No. Flicker 2
Pileated WP 1
Blue Jay 20
Am. Crow 4
Fish Crow 1
crow sp. 75
C. Chickadee 12
T. Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Brown Creeper 1
C. Wren 3
E. Bluebird 6
Am. Robin 3
No. Mockingbird 5
E. Starling 36
E. Towhee 1
Chipping Sp 2
Field Sp 15
Song Sp 30
White-thr Sp 20
Junco 40
No. Cardinal 14
House Finch 35
Am. Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 4
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