VA Birders,
I was able to get off from work a bit early this afternoon, so I swung by the
hike/bike trail of Huntley Meadows in hopes of finding some woodcocks. I
arrived by 4:15 and slowly birded the area until posting up around 5:30 in the
large back meadow (to the right of the trail walking towards the marsh). The
twilight showing of American Woodcocks followed shortly thereafter -- I heard
my first "Peent" at 5:49; the first visual with a fly-by at 6:04; and the first
display at 6:09. I was never able to positively confirm more than 4 birds being
seen or heard at a single time, yet I would guess there were more like 5-6
individuals in the area with all of the action. I was treated to 5-6 full
flight displays as the woodcocks would begin passing by low, the quickly gain
altitude before making high circles over the treeline/meadow -- a full
repertoire of woodcock twittering/vocalizations included. They became silent at
6:22.
Other notables were a flock of 25 Rusty Blackbirds (some singing); roughly 25
Northern Pintails in the pond; a handful of Green-winged Teal; one American
Wigeon; one Northern Shoveler; and a calling Barred Owl.
I hope everyone has a great weekend,
Will McPhail
Burke, VA (Fairfax Co.)
