[va-bird] Thanksgiving Birding in Prince Wm Co.

VA-Birders,
   
  I had a thought that the storm that blew through the past couple of days 
might have brought in some interesting birds.  If it did, I was not witness to 
them this morning!  It was fine weather-wise for a couple of hours, then the 
sky opened up while I was walking at Occoquan Bay NWR.  Below are some 
highlights.
   
  I started at the marina across from the entrance to Leesylvania SP and found 
many many gulls - mostly Laughing - but nothing notable.  I ventured over to 
nearby Julie Metz Wetlands and found it to be birdy, with mentionable birds 
being a very late HOUSE WREN in the same general area I had one about three 
weeks ago, a gobbling WILD TURKEY (how appropriate!), a FOX SPARROW, 12 
BONAPARTE'S GULLS over the marsh, and a few RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
   
  On to Occoquan Bay NWR.  The rain came in knocking things down just after my 
arrival, so passerines were at a premium.  However, the most notable bird here 
was another bird that should have been gone by mid-October - an INDIGO BUNTING 
- singing!!  It was along the trail that follows the river between Fox and Easy 
Roads.  I first heard it and could not believe my ears, then found it to be a 
scruffy individual with a patchwork of blue on brown.  Perhaps a CBC bird to 
remember.
   
  Other birds here were 4 vocal KING RAILS (responding to distant gunfire), YB 
SAPSUCKER, 3 HORNED GREBES and several duck species shown in the list below:
   
  Wood Duck     2
Gadwall     6
American Wigeon     2
American Black Duck     15
Mallard     35
Green-winged Teal     12
Lesser Scaup     250
Common Goldeneye     1
Hooded Merganser     5
Red-breasted Merganser     18
Ruddy Duck     1200

  I went to Belmont Bay to look for more waterfowl, but was very dismayed to 
find a duck hunting blind occupied by 3 hunters right at the mouth of the 
river.  Of course there were no ducks of any kind to be found.  I can't believe 
duck hunting is tolerated in such close range to all of the condos, houses, and 
other structures in the immediate area.  I don't see any safe direction they 
could be shooting toward.  Ridiculous.
   
  Happy Thanksgiving to all!
   
  Jay Keller,
  Arlington
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 
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