[va-bird] Sunset at Huntley, Frfx Co, 9/24/02

VA BIRDers,

I visited Huntley Meadows today after work and enjoyed a beautiful sunset 
while being seranaded by a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.  The bird was sitting 
on a 6 foot snag singing its "Peuuw-eeee" song just south of the tower, about 
50 feet from the end of the left railing.  There were few other avian noises 
in the marsh and so it was a great pleasure to hear this bird celebrate the 
end of its day to the setting sun; singing, I would suppose, similar to its 
habit along the edge of some bog hundreds of miles away.  This small creature 
would occasionally interupt its song to sally from its perch to catch a 
flying bug, but, upon returning, would quickly resume its soliloquy. I 
wondered if it will continue its long journey tomorrow or stay for a short 
time to gain energy reserves for its arduous travel? 

Among the other birds of interest, a Peregrine Falcon made an attempt on one 
of the three Greater Yellowlegs foraging on the edge of the main pond.  This 
caused the 20 or so Lesser Yellowlegs to take flight and circle the area.  An 
overflying Merlin did not cause any problems though, probably because it was 
flying very high and did not pause.  A young Cooper's Hawk also hunted the 
marsh; I saw it perch on the edge and then fly directly into the woods 
looking for dinner I would think.  The song of a distant E. Wood Pewee was 
heard for a minute or so but few other songs punctuated the sunset.

The marsh along my path held at least 10 Common Yellowthroats but Red-winged 
Blackbirds were conspicious by their absence.  The bushes near the tower were 
temporary quarters to a few Gray Catbirds and a HY female Wilson's Warbler.  
Nearby, a close-knit group of four Palm Warblers (western form) rendezvoused 
at various trees or bushes, apparently unsure what the near-term plan was 
going to be!  Overhead, about 75 Chimney Swifts twittered about - they 
appeared to be moving northward, probably to the various chimney roost sites 
in the City of Alexandria.

As the sun plummented further below the horizon, Great Horned and Barred Owls 
began to hoot.  Soon, a few more Canada Geese flew into the pond (75 total) 
and, save for an occasionally goose-honk, the silence ended as the frogs 
began their chorus.

Kurt Gaskill


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