Hello VA-Birders,
I started very early today at about 2:45 AM along Joplin Road that runs
along the southern border of Prince William Forest Park. I heard the
(annually-returning) CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW near the intersection of Liming
Road, but no Whips there. I then decided to drive along this road toward
Nokesville, making several stops to listen along the way. I was very happy
to hear WHIP-POOR-WILLS on three of the stops totaling 8 individuals! This
is possible at 3 AM since there is little to no traffic. I didn't get out
of my car once, which is nice.
I arrived in Nokesville by 3:30 to listen for night critters, and found some
nice ones. Here is a list of species heard between 3:30 and 4:45 AM:
Northern Bobwhite 2
Killdeer 1
American Woodcock 4 (all calling on the ground)
Wilson's Snipe 1 (calling from marsh on Parkgate)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 6 (nice flight overnight!)
Barred Owl 1
Barn Swallow 3 (flying around lighted porch on a farm)
Eastern Phoebe 1
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 (lackluster thrush flight overall)
Swainson's Thrush 7
Wood Thrush 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Grasshopper Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 4
Bobolink 1 (singing from field opposite Cedar Run Wetlands)
Eastern Meadowlark 2
I and two others later birded some nearby private property and found the
birding rather slow, perhaps due to the cool, overcast conditions.
Highlights included CANADA WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, all Catharus thrushes
(sans Bicknell's), displaying YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, and a late DARK-EYED
JUNCO. 74 species in Nokesville.
Later at the intersection of Aden Road and Joplin Road, I heard then saw a
very nice BAY-BREASTED WARBLER which qualifies as the best drive-by bird of
the day. After running some errands, I made a late and quick stop at Possum
Point and had some great birds. WARBLING VIREO, seven SUMMER TANAGERS!,
BLUE GROSBEAK, both ORIOLES, and the below list of warblers:
Northern Parula 18
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Black-throated Green Warbler 3
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 3
Prairie Warbler 3
CERULEAN WARBLER 1 (singing and well seen in trees near ash pond)
Black-and-white Warbler 2
American Redstart 2
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Worm-eating Warbler 8
Ovenbird 6
Louisiana Waterthrush 3
MOURNING WARBLER 1 (singing and well seen in shrubs near ash pond)
Common Yellowthroat 12
Yellow-breasted Chat 2
I noted nice numbers of both Tanagers, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and birds
were much more numerous on the coastal plain vs. the piedmont. I wish I
could have stayed out all day, but life calls! 74 species on Possum Point.
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms out there!
Take Care,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
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