I suppose all of the birds listed in the subject line are fairly
run-of-the-mill, but they are all firsts for me in some regard.
The rain has kept me birding locally (Loft Ridge Park behind our house, in
Alexandria off of Franconia Rd.), but I have been lucky to see good birds.
Thursday morning's highlights were the first confirmed RUBY THROATED
HUMMINGBIRDS - one actually came into our (tiny) townhome backyard and
drank from the buds on our blueberry tree! It was an obvious sign that it
needed something more substantial to drink (the buds could barely pass as
flowers) - so the hummingbird feeder is out now and they are using it.
Also on Thursday morning I saw my first CATBIRD of the season.
But the most thrilling for me was last night on our evening tour of the
park. As we were heading home and the light was nearly gone, resonating
through the quietness we heard "whip-poor-will"! I had never heard or
seen one before and it was a thrill! We quickly did a 180 and headed
towards the singing. When it stopped singing, we stopped walking - it was
like "Red Light Green Light" (if anyone remembers that game from their
childhood). In any case, we reached where it was singing and was able to
watch it hawk for insects for a few minutes before it moved on.
Today we're heading out and hope to find "better" birds to report on. :)
-Renee Grebe
Alexandria, VA
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