[va-bird] Woodcock meadow at Huntley?

From: Debra Blake <blakedebra@xxxxxxxxx>
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 09:09:11 -0700 (PDT)

Morning!

  Can anyone give details about the so-called "woodcock meadow" at Huntley?
Thank you!

  Debra Blake / Wa, DC
FreeLists Mailing List Manager <ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
  va-bird Digest Mon, 12 Mar 2007 Volume: 06 Issue: 068

In This Issue:
[va-bird] Re; American Woodcock In Warren County
[va-bird] Raptor Bliss
[va-bird] Purple Finch
[va-bird] Great Opsrey nest viewing
[va-bird] Re: Spring arrived for me today (3/11)
[va-bird] First Tree Swallows - Shenandoah County
[va-bird] Northern Rough-winged Swallow
[va-bird] Woodcocks in Shenandoah NP
[va-bird] White-winged Scoter
[va-bird] Martins Are Back
[va-bird] Status of Ring-necked Pheasant at Virginia WMAs
[va-bird] Highland County, March 10-11, incl. Rough-Legged H
[va-bird] Wood ducks at Burke Lake Park
[va-bird] Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Walk
[va-bird] Monticello Park/Belle Haven Marina/Ben Brenman Par
[va-bird] Shorebirds; Rt 50 South Riding Turf Pond, Loudoun
[va-bird] Woodcock Wonders at Huntley Meadows

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 07:10:49 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: [va-bird] Re; American Woodcock In Warren County
From: fbogar@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Five American Woodcocks were seen and heard in Warren County near the low
water bridge just outside of Limeton on Buck Mountain Road. The birds
were seen at mid-day along a feeder stream and at sunset the birds were
heard at the intersection of woods and fields.

Also seen in Limeton yesterday were:

Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned hawk
American Kestrel
Belted Kingfisher
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
American Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch

Frederic d. Bogar
fbogar@xxxxxxxxxxxx

------------------------------

From: "Brenda Tekin"
Subject: [va-bird] Raptor Bliss
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:19:03 -0400

The emergence of spring-like weather was felt across the region this past
week. The Song Sparrow in our neighborhood have been sporting brighter
plumage and their song is heard throughout the day as the sun heats up.
Yesterday while visiting family in southern Albemarle County, observing and
hearing the trill of the bright yellow PINE WARBLER with the chorus of
spring peeps was a special treat.

This past week I observed several raptors species, many either nesting or
paired and soaring overhead. Below are links to some of the raptor images
from this past week.

Link to RED-TAILED HAWK:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/Red-tailedHawk-2_link.htm

Link to OSPREY:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/Osprey2_link.htm

Link to GULL CHASE:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/Osprey3_link.html

Link to GOLDEN EAGLE:

http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/GoldenEagle_Link.html

Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures.

Photo journal including Birds of Virginia:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com ;

------------------------------

From: "Bear Mountain"
Subject: [va-bird] Purple Finch
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:42:04 -0400

Just saw my first (and only) purple finch at my feeder this winter. I heard one
on Saturday morning (3/10). They have been very sparse in Highland Co. this
winter.
Patti Reum
Bear Mountain Farm and Wilderness Retreat
2599 Bear Mountain Rd.
Monterey, VA. 24465
www.mountain-retreat.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:03:36 -0400
From: "Tom & Lynda Blair"
Subject: [va-bird] Great Opsrey nest viewing

Hello Birders..
We've discovered a nice Osprey nest out here in New Kent County at the
Virginia Forestry Center. I checked there last week looking for Wood Ducks
(I'm obsessed)
At the end of the road, there's a viewing platform. I saw a huge nest to the
right of the platform, but it was empty. Well, it wasn't this weekend. There
are a great pair of Ospreys using it. It's going to be fun checking on it.
Hopefully I can get some good pics of the chicks when they hatch.
Here's the pics.. 5 images
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/75534303
Also went to Dutch Gap to look at the Wood Ducks (again) and met a fellow
birder. Our very own Les Brooks. We had fun comparing notes and visiting
(and taking some pictures). So nice to put a face with a name!
While at Dutch Gap, a showoff Ring-Neck kept parading back and forth in
front of us, demading to have his picture taken. Finally got the ring on the
Ring-neck :)
2 images
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/75536245
Plus a Shoveler without mud on his face..
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/75536250
Earlier wI had gone to Cumberland Marsh and got some good looks (and
pictures) of
Northern Pintails and Shovelers in flight (couple of images there)
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/75370752
Sorry for the picture overload..
Have a great week!
Lynda Blair
New Kent County

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:23:14 -0400
From: Jeff Clark
Subject: [va-bird] Re: Spring arrived for me today (3/11)

Adding to Ben's list (Ben I think that we met in the Woodcock Meadow):

I counted 10 Fox Sparrows in the far back corner of the Woodcock Meadow!
Good stuff, such beautiful birds. Also in the Woodcock Meadow was an
American Kestrel. One of the more interesting things that happened while
I was prowling around in the Woodcock Meadow was the sudden appearance
of a very vocal pair of Red-shouldered Hawks that caused the literal
hundreds of Robins, Juncos, and Flickers to explode out of the meadow
seeking cover. I also had the good fortune of flushing a Woodcock from
underfoot while, appropriately enough, exiting the Woodcock Meadow.
Another bird that let me approach close, me being oblivious to its
presence until it flushed, was a Barred Owl. Luckily for me it only flew
about 20 feet away where it studied me with its intense Owl gaze before
deciding to move on. Finally I found a pair of Cooper Hawks setting up a
nesting territory, they were very vocal. Both the Owl and the Coopers
where seen near the Maintenance Yard.

A beautiful morning at a wonderful place!

A somewhat longer version of this write-up can be found here:
http://www.fairfaxbirding.com/2007/03/12/huntley-meadows-3122007-signs-of-spring/
-----------------------------------
Jeff Clark
Fairfax City, VA
http://www.nothoo.com
http://www.fairfaxbirding.com

Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup wrote:

Didnt get out on Saturday, but this morning I took advantage of the spring
forward and got to the back side of Huntley before sunrise. I was surprised
to hear two WOODCOCK in the woods north of the parking lot, and another by
the first bluebird box in the first meadow (around 7 a.m.). I didnt hear
any at the Woodcock meadow, but it was probably to light by the time I got
there. Other signs of spring were my first migratory PHOEBES (3 total), 5
TREE SWALLOWS, 1 PINE WARBLER singing in the last meadow on the right, and a
dozen WOOD DUCKS flying over the central wetland. Other goodies include 2
fox sparrows and 2 winter wrens.

For those who havent been there in a while, the park did prescribed burns
in the first meadow and the Woodcock Meadow. The robins, juncos, and
flickers seem particularly drawn to the current conditions. It will be
interesting to see how regrowth occurs over the rest of the year.

Good birding.

Ben Jesup

Alexandria

------------------------------

From: Birdconsv@xxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:40:25 EDT
Subject: [va-bird] First Tree Swallows - Shenandoah County

This past weekend we had our first Tree Swallows at our place in the
mountains of northwestern Shenandoah County. They were checking out nesting
boxes and
interacting as if courting. A pair of bluebirds also visited nesting boxes.
Otherwise, both numbers and diversity were quite disappointing, as often
happens about this time of year when some winter visitors have drifted off
(some
never came at all this year) and most migrants haven't arrived yet.

In addition to these spring signs, we also got to witness a little spectacle
at our feeders. An American Crow was feeding on sunflower seeds on the ground
when a meadow vole made the mistake of popping up out of its hole to grab a
seed (as they commonly do). The crow grabbed the hapless rodent with a stabbing
motion and beat it on the ground a couple of times before flying off to enjoy
his meal. This is the second time we have witnessed this behavior there, and
it may be that the crows are learning to watch the little holes for mammalian
prey.

Dave Davis
Arlington

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------------------------------

From:
Subject: [va-bird] Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:36:09 -0400 (EDT)

Greetings All,
A Northern Rough-winged Swallow brushed past the College Creek hawk watch this
morning just after 10:00 a.m. bird time.

Bill Williams

------------------------------

Subject: [va-bird] Woodcocks in Shenandoah NP
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:49:55 -0400
From: "WELDON, Aimee"

At least 3 male woodcocks were displaying in a brushy field near the
Thornton Gap entrance to Shenandoah National Park last weekend. This
field is located on the east side of Skyline drive just before you cross
Hwy 211 heading south.

__________________________________
Aimee Weldon
Virginia Important Bird Areas Coordinator
National Audubon Society
530 E Main Street
Suite 810
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804-370-3528
www.audubon.org
___________________________________
=20

------------------------------

From: LarryNTA@xxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:53:43 EDT
Subject: [va-bird] White-winged Scoter

My son was crappie fishing about 400 yards out from the Aquia Creek Marina
yesterday when he observed an adult male White-winged Scoter. At times it was
just off the bow of his boat. It finally flew off in the direction of the
Marina.

Larry Kline
Fredericksburg, VA

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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 10:25:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: mLadT

Subject: [va-bird] Martins Are Back

Observed the first Purple Martin (scout) of the year a full two weeks earlier
than last year here in Loudoun County. He was calmly sitting on a mid-level
porch of my trio castle that hadn't even been raised yet for the year. I guess
I got my wake up call.
m. Lad. Topolsky
Hamilton, VA
prplemartin@xxxxxxxxx

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Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

------------------------------

From: WEalding@xxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:42:59 EDT
Subject: [va-bird] Status of Ring-necked Pheasant at Virginia WMAs

Question for the VARCOM and VDGIF folks:

What is the current status of Ring-necked Pheasant at WMAs in Virginia?
This morning I heard and then saw a very vocal male Ring-necked Pheasant at
Amelia WMA. I'm wondering if they are still being released for hunting.

Wendy Ealding
Powhatan County

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Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:32:19 -0400
From: Dave Hewitt
Subject: [va-bird] Highland County, March 10-11, incl. Rough-Legged Hawk

Notable observations from around Highland County on Saturday and Sunday
included:

2 Rough-Legged Hawks (3/11; both light adults, soaring at 60-70 feet
directly over Margaret O'Bryan's house at the VA/WV line on Rte 640)
5 American Kestrels (various places in Augusta and Highland)
2 Red-tailed Hawks
1 Red-shouldered Hawk (3/11; near Eagle's Sugar Camp in Doe Hill)
Eastern Phoebe (singing all over)
3 Common Ravens (various places in Highland)
Ruffed Grouse (3/10; flew across the road along US 250 near Head Waters
just into Highland from Augusta)

NO Golden Eagles (strike-out #3 for me)

Amazing weather
Lots of good maple-flavored treats

Dave Hewitt
Gloucester, VA

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:14:22 -0400
From: Jim Poor
Subject: [va-bird] Wood ducks at Burke Lake Park

Hi,

I drug my poor wife out with me yesterday afternoon in hopes of finding
Wood Ducks at Burke Lake.
We drove up and saw two right away in the area just to the left (facing
the water) of the marina. Walking toward the marina we found about 6
more and another 5-6 beyond.
Pretty close looks. Unless I don't get a really killer image out of
this group, my new goal is Wood Ducks in flight. Though I can't say
I've ever seen one fly at all...

I managed about 250 pictures of them. Here are three, not the best of
the bunch, but I haven't had time to process them all yet.

http://www.pbase.com/jimpoor/wood_ducks

Best,
Jim

------------------------------

From: "Harry & Melitta Glasgow"
Subject: [va-bird] Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Walk
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 17:45:32 -0400

Spring is definitely arriving at Huntley Meadows, as noted by the 14 birders
who took part in the Monday Morning Walk today. We tallied 44 species, with
highlights being our first Tree Swallows of the season, Hooded Mergansers
exploring nesting boxes, a Blue-winged Teal in eclipse plumage, and a
Pied-billed Grebe. Very exciting morning.
Canada Goose 285
Wood Duck 6
American Widgeon 2
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 77
Blue-winged Teal 1
Northern Shoveler 16
Northern Pintail 20
Green-winged Teal 125
Ring-necked Duck 1
Hooded Merganser 5
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Killdeer 1
Wilson's Snipe 4
Ring-billed Gull 5
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 13
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 7
Eastern Bluebird 6
Hermit Thrush 1
European Starling 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Field Sparrow 3
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 48
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 3

The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every Monday, rain or shine, at 7 AM, is free of charge,
requires no reservation, and is open to all. Note that occasionally icy
conditions on the trail may cause cancellation of the walk at the last moment.
Birders meet in the parking lot at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd,
Alexandria, VA. Those with questions should call the Park during normal
business hours at (703) 768-2525.

Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:51:48 -0400
From: "Cliff Otto"
Subject: [va-bird] Monticello Park/Belle Haven Marina/Ben Brenman Park/Kingstow

A quick trip to Monticello Park in northern Alexandria during the early
afternoon did not turn up anything unusual. There were two or three DOWNEY
WOODPECKERS and a PILEATED WOODPECKER as well as a pair of MALLARDS and a
pair of NORTHERN CARDINALS and sparrows.
From there, I headed to Belle Haven Marina to check on the OSPREYS (three
pair, including one bird that fished a branch out of the Potomac). There
were two or three active BELTED KINGFISHERS there, as well as FISH and
AMERICAN CROWS and several MALLARDS. The highlight there, though, was the
female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER that literally flew into view in my lens. I
posted a picture at: http://www.pbase.com/bb_etc/image/75558182
.

I also swung by Ben Brenman Park, where the LESSER SCAUP are still hanging
out (four males).

Friday, I photographed a male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER in breeding plumage at
Kingstowne Lake:
http://www.pbase.com/bb_etc/image/75486016

Cliff Otto
Alexandria

------------------------------

From: "Craig Tufts"
Subject: [va-bird] Shorebirds; Rt 50 South Riding Turf Pond, Loudoun County
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:27:54 -0500

On my commute home today, stopped at the flooded turf field approx 200 yds
east of Greenworks Garden Center on the westbound lane of Rt 50 just west
of South Riding.

A pair of mallards joined three killdeer, an un-ID yellowlegs and a
Wilson's snipe five feet from shore acting like a dowitcher, pumping its
head up and down in open, but shallow muddy water.

Craig Tufts

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 23:31:44 -0400
From: "Donald Sweig"
Subject: [va-bird] Woodcock Wonders at Huntley Meadows

Bill Hoover and I went over to the woodcock meadow on the back side of
Huntley this evening.
It was cloudy and bit cool , but what a woodcock show!! It started at about
7:18 and before
long there were birds calling from all around us and quite visibly flying
around and over us.
I have never seen woodcock this well before.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.

------------------------------

End of va-bird Digest V6 #68
****************************

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[va-bird] Woodcock meadow at Huntley?

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