VA Birders,
Yesterday, Tuesday, Dec. 27, Betty Kilgore and I went to look for the
SHORT-EARED OWLS in Fauquier Co. We left Arlington at mid-morning so we could
check out some other spots along the way. We started by exploring Vint Hill
Farms Park, a site in the Culpeper Loop of the VA BIRDING & WILDLIFE TRAIL
GUIDE,
PIEDMONT AREA. We had a nice walk there, and saw a good variety of birds,
most notably 1 or 2 AM. TREE SPARROWS.
After a late lunch, we stopped at the pond on Harrison Road. The field
around the pond was full of CANADA GEESE, but we didn't find anything unusual
among them. The ducks on the pond included a few HOODED MERGANSERS.
Then we headed for Marshall, and drove up to Rectortown, where the
SHORT-EARED OWLS had been reported. We arrived just after 4:30 pm, and we saw
the
first owl 10-15 minutes later. It flew across the field and landed up near the
top of a tree, where we were able to get good scope views of it. It may have
been watching the NORTHERN HARRIERS, which were cruising the same field. We
probably saw 4 harriers, including 2 adult males. A few minutes later more
owls appeared, and we probably saw 4 of them too. We also enjoyed a gorgeous
sunset behind the owls, and we managed to get back to Marshall just before it
got totally dark.
Directions to the SHORT-EARED OWL site: From I-66, take the Marshall
Exit and follow Bus. 17 into Marshall (or coming from the south on U.S. Route
17,
you will be on Bus. 17 after you cross I-66). At the traffic light at Rt. 55
in Marshall, go straight ahead (a 7-11 is on the left) and you will be on Rt.
710, Rectortown Road. Go 4-5 miles north on Rt. 710, and watch for Rt. 624,
Crenshaw Road, which goes off to the right just as you are approaching the
village of Rectortown. Take Crenshaw about half a mile and look for a picnic
shelter-type structure on the right in a field which has a chain/cable across
the
driveway (it also has several parking spaces with handicapped parking signs).
You can park on the driveway apron in front of the chain and look for the
owls in the field across the road. The apron is also a good place to set up
your scope, if you have one, and watch for the owls.
Good birding and Happy Holidays,
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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