[va-bird] sparrows etc in Oakton, Fairfax Co

I took a much-needed break from my paper-grading
and comment-writing to walk in my favorite local
spot--Difficult Run Stream Valley Park off of
Samaga Rd--from 11:45-1:45. This area used to be
a beaver pond and is now thick with Polygonum
spp, multiflora rose, alders, willows,
winterberry holly, grasses and rushes.

Saw the following.  
*= first time I've seen it there this season
18 song sparrow
55 white-throated sparrow
11 swamp sparrow
40 chipping sparrow *
no other sparrows
15 dark-eyed junco *
1 towhee
3 winter wren *
6 carolina wren
7 ruby-crowned kinglet
4 golden-crowned kinglet
6 myrtle warbler
1 common yellowthroat
8 carolina chickadee
2 titmice
25 cardinal
10 goldfinch
1 purple finch *
4 house finch
2 northern mockingbird
1 black vulture and 3 turkey vulture
1 sharp-shinned hawk
1 red-shouldered hawk (Beautiful!)
1 barred owl calling
2 downy woodpecker
2 yellow-bellied sapsucker * (one was eating
berries of Virginia Creeper)
6 flicker

It was interesting to also see new beaver work
going on in the woods.  In one area of the forest
which had 54 ash trees, 52 red maples and 2 tulip
poplars, the beavers had eaten bark off of 42
ash, no red maple and no poplar.  I guess they
like ash better than the others. I wonder why.
I hope you have a great week!
Fred

=====
Frederick D. Atwood     fredatwood@xxxxxxxxx
Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124
703-242-1675     
http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood
http://www.flinthill.org

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