Hello, birders.
Nice movement of BROAD-WINGED HAWKS today at Sky
Meadows. Near the end of my survey, I decided to look
for raptors. I rarely actively scan for them during
migration but the park may be a worthwhile place to
try, since the Blue Ridge runs along the edge of it.
Anyway, I quickly I found Broad-wings. During my
casual 45 min. observation from the Visitor Center
area, at least 250 BWs passed overhead. This was from
12:30 to 1:15pm. The clouds, which were various
shades of gray, covered most of the sky. The soaring
birds stood out nicely against this background. Mixed
in with the Broad-wings during this time were 2
OSPREY, 1 imm. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, several TURKEY
VULTURES and 1 NO. HARRIER. An AM. KESTREL and prob.
some of the vultures seemed to be locals rather than
migrants. I was surprised that so many birds were
moving with a southerly wind After 1:15, I didn't
notice any more raptors. Soon the wind shifted to NNW
and then it started to rain.
About half of the birds used the thermals along the
ridge, the rest soared over the Visitor Center area.
Woodpeckers were easily observed in the park, incl.
about 18 (hard to count) RED-HEADED.
Not a lot of songbird migrants, except for INDIGO
BUNTING. This species has been a very common migrant
since late August in the tall grass on either side of
the Walnut Grove. Only one warbler species today -
COM. YELLOWTHROAT.
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
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