[va-bird] Rough-legged Hawk at Sky Meadows, Fauq. Co, 11/23/02

VA BIRDers,

I came across a female Rough-legged Hawk when I visited the Bridle Trail 
parking lot area of Sky Meadows today in the late morning.  It was some 
distance away to the NE, possible over the portion of the big sparrow field 
which a few of us visited earlier this month and late last month.  The strong 
winds buffeted this bird which I thought made it fly a bit odd, thus drawing 
my attention to it.  The white tail ending in a black band clued me into its 
ID.

Also noted today at various locations:

Big Common Loon Flight at Snickers Gap - Jon Little forgot to mention that 24 
Common Loons flew over between 12 and 1 (I think that was the interval).  20 
birds came in one loose group.  This seems like a significant number for the 
moutains.  If we assume 60 mph travel velocity (there was a tremendous NW 
tailwind) and 4-5 hours of flight, these birds likely came off the Lake Erie.

Nice Tundra Swan group over Snickers too - 95 birds, a little after the 
loons, nearer 2 pm.  This occurred during some of the strongest wind blasts - 
40 mph gusts.  I speculate these birds came from the Crane Creek, Ohio area, 
but I also daydream alot.

Northern Goshawk - first year, came across the field at Bull Run Post Office 
Rd at dusk and was a bit of surprise.  I got classic "Jon Little" looks at 
this bird with strong supercillium demarcation from the brown cap.  Really 
fine bird to see in Fairfax County.  Oh, by the way, no Short-eared Owls at 
this location. But the field appears to be in prime shape as 4 Northern 
Harriers were noted, including two adult males flying side-by-side.

Horned Lark - two locations in Fauquier Co., both locations previously 
described

Loggerhead Shrike - still at the Bridle Trail area of Sky Meadows

Common Ravens - at Snickers Gap, of course.

American Pipit - heard a few over some of the cattle farms I visited in 
Fauquier Co.

Brewer's Blackbird - mixed in with 2500 E. Starlings on Elk Run, Rt 806, 
north of Laws Ford Rd, near a strong bend in the road.  Lots of cattle lots 
in this area.  I was just packing up when this bird flew into a tree near the 
road with a thousand starlings.  Dark purplish glossy black with darkish 
lines on the belly and a straight bill, a bit larger than the starlings it 
was hanging out with.  I noted a few Cowbirds, too.

Rusty Blackbirds - small flock of 15 seen flying over a farm field.

Kurt Gaskill






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