VA BIRDers,
Despite the change in the weather today, spring migration continues. I was
able to visit the Dyke Marsh area for about an hour today just before sunset.
One of the recent aspects I find interesting is the very visible blackbird
migration along the edges of Dyke Marsh and the Potomac. The blackbird
movement continued today; it was dominated by Common Grackles numbering about
600 in several groups. Northbound movement of Red-winged Blackbirds along
the shoreline were also noted, but numbers were only about 150. Another
interesting aspect is the Osprey movement - no Ospreys were present just 2
days ago. Multiple Osprey were noted today with a pair at one of the
southern nest sites (site #4) and singles at the main Hunting Creek Bay site
(#1) and the marina island (#3). Also of interest this week was a Merlin go
full bore across the river from MD and into the trees of the golf course in
VA.
Two to three weeks ago the majority of the Am. Black Ducks and Mallards at
Dyke moved out (numbers are below 20 and 100, respectively), but the Canada
Goose migration seem to be a bit late this year. The latter numbers seem to
be fluctuating on a daily basis and I have noted a few Vees in the last
couple of days so I suspect this species is moving on, too. I would think
its just a matter of a week or so before we hear the Tundra Swans flying
overhead at night.
One "Ranger" (Red-necked Grebe) foraged just south of the marina today, mixed
in with the dozens of Red-breasted Merganser, Common Mergansers and American
Coot. Several Rangers had been noted off the end of Haul Road a few days
ago. The big scaup raft to the south is breaking up and several small flyby
groups have been noted off the marina. In the channels off the end of Haul
Road a couple of days ago, Rich Rieger and I found a couple of male Greater
Scaup mixed in with the Lessers. Today, American Wigeon were noted
suggesting this species is moving, too.
Finally, a Great Egret was present near the Hunting Creek muflats (inland
side) today ending a nearly 4 week absence of this species at Dyke. In the
last few years Great Egret regularly winter in small numbers at Dyke through
January. This year, the ice and snow drove the last couple out in early to
mid February. Is good to see this species is moving north in our area again,
joining the spring parade.
Kurt Gaskill
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