[va-bird] Yellow-throated Warbler at Leesylvania State Park; Tundra Swans still at Belle Haven

I went to Leesylvania St. Pk. late this morning hoping to see the Pine Warbler 
and/or Chipping Sparrow posted yesterday by Larry Cartwright.  I pulled into 
the parking area for the Bushy Point trail because I thought it might be the 
mixed pine/deciduous tree area just before the marina parking lot where the 
Pine Warblers were seen yesterday.  I saw neither of these birds, but just as I 
was getting out of the car I saw a flash of bright yellow in the pines to my 
left.  Got binocs on the bird right away and exclaimed so loudly  that it's a 
wonder I didn't scare the bird away.  I feasted on this sight for a good minute 
or so before the bird took off.  I never found it again.

Other best bird at Leesylvania was a Brown Thrasher which was in the bushes 
outside the restrooms nearest the fishing pier.  I've only been to this park 
about six times, but have always come up with something interesting in and 
around these bushes.  Saw my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet there, and actually saw 
the Ruby crown.  If I hadn't, I'm not sure I would have identified the bird.

At Neabasco Creek I saw 4 Amer. Black Ducks, about 10 Tree Swallows, and an 
Osprey with a large fish in its talons.  The Osprey circled and circled 
repeatedly with fish intact.  I thought that was a little strange--expected the 
Osprey to head for a perch to eat that fish, which, by the way, I saw two 
Ospreys doing at Leesylvania.

 By 2 p.m. I was at Belle Haven Picnic Area again south of Alexandria.  The 
Tundra Swans remain in the same general area as were seen yesterday.  That is, 
south of the Stone Bridge and north of the northernmost parking lot at the 
Belle Haven Picnic area.  I counted only 30 today, but they were even closer to 
the parkway today than they were yesterday.  In fact, anyone walking the 
biker/hiker trail had an excellent naked-eye view of these birds.  When I drove 
past them on my way home, I would estimate they were only about 60-70 feet from 
the bike path.

Other highlight at Belle Haven down near the boat ramp was three Rusty 
Blackbirds.

Lori Keeler
Arlington, VA
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email 
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.

Other related posts: