VA Birders,
Pat Blyer, Betty Kilgore, and I went to Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary
in Arlington Co., off the G.W. Pkwy., across from National Airport, this
morning. It was Pat's first time birding at Roaches Run, so perhaps it was
beginner's (or first timer's) luck, but shortly after arriving, I noticed a
large dark bird perched on a log at the south end of the big pond, apparently
finishing a fishy meal. It was an immature Bald Eagle, the first eagle I had
seen there this year. A short time later, while scanning the north end of
the pond, a bird flew thru my scope view which turned out to be an Osprey,
our first in VA this year. The Osprey perched in a tree and remained there
until the young eagle flew up toward its end of the pond, whereupon it took
off and chased the eagle back from whence it came. The eagle kept on going
and we did not see it again! The Osprey landed in a tree across the pond
from us, affording great scope views in good light.
At least 30 Great Blue Herons also were at Roaches Run this morning.
They lined the shore across from us and many also were up in the trees. It
was an amazing sight. Other waterfowl in the pond included 1 Northern
Pintail, 11 Lesser Scaup, 12 Hooded Mergansers, and 7 Am. Coots. There was
still a little ice on the pond, with many gulls sitting on it, but we only
found the 3 basic ones (Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed). It
was a very pleasant morning indeed, in spite of the noise from airplanes
taking off and flying over our heads.
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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