Hello VA Birders--
I spent the last few hours of daylight (and the last few hours of 2002
birding) at Riverbend Park. Upstream from the Visitor's Center, I Iocated 2
Golden-Crowned Kinglets. Downstream, the highlight for me was a Brown
Creeper, as well as a brown bat flying around.
Offshore in the Potomac were hundreds of ducks. I could make out the
Buffleheads easily, but without a scope I could not determine what the rest
were, I'm pretty inexperienced with ducks. I'm guessing either Ring-Necked
Duck or Lesser Scaup? All I could make out was the whitish bill, dark (almost
purply) head, and very white undersides when they dove. I realize now I
should have tried to look more closely at the backs. A flock of about 30
flying overhead gave out a quiet whistling sound. Anyone else been out there
recently and can say for sure. Any tips on better distinguishing these ducks
from afar?
Canada Goose--75
Mallard--20
Bufflehead--25
Great Blue Heron (squawking from the Maryland side)--1
Northern Flicker--1
Red-Bellied Woodpecker--2
Downy Woodpecker--1
Fish Crow--1
American Crow--4
Carolina Chickadee--20
Tufted Titmouse--3
White-Breasted Nuthatch--2
Brown Creeper--1
Carolina Wren--1
Golden-Crowned Kinglet--2
Cedar Waxwing--5
White-Throated Sparrrow--4
As I walked along, dusk fell on the Virginia side, but the Maryland side was
still brightly lit by the setting sun, turning all the bare trees on the
Maryland riverbank a fiery orange. The contrast with the deep blues of
nightfall in Riverbend was stunning. Then I had to hurry back to the
car--they lock the gate at 5:00!
A Very Birdy New Year to all of you!
LizKoozmin
Reston, Va.
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