[va-richmond-general] DGAP MAPS 8 June 2012

Great day at Dutch Gap as we dropped the nets at 5:20 am yesterday and had a beautiful day before this weekend's heat settled in. Lot's of activity in the conservation area besides birds. Saw a few Fox kits as we entered the conservation area along Coxendale Road. A Box turtle was seen in her usual territory and a fawn flitted across the path. Osprey cry overhead most of the day and Prothonotary's are calling from sun-up on....A 4+ foot snake shed was seen draped across an uprooted tree, I am certain we will find who it belongs to :-)

 

We netted 19 birds. The male Red-winged Blackbird was our most exciting bird. Yes, you can see flocks of thousands but until you see one up close and in the hand you can not believe how incredibly beautiful this bird is. While a Carolina Wren was squawking being removed from a net, the cry of it obviously attracted the Red-winged Blackbird who hit the net and was extracted as quickly as it hit! One stunning bird. We had 2 Prothonotary warbler recaps, one a nestling from 2011 and the other a nestling from 2009.

 

Here's the tally and a few images of the day. Thanks to the dedicated team who turns out over and over again.

 

Julie K

Chester

 

Carolina Wren 6 (2 recaps)

Northern Cardinal 5 (3 recaps)

Prothonotary warbler 2 recaps

Indigo Bunting

Red-winged Blackbird

Orchard Oriole

Downy Woodpecker 2

Brown Thrasher-juvenile