[va-richmond-general] Henricus/Dutch Gap, 12/7/2008

I was joined by five hardy birders for the walk at Henricus Park/Dutch Gap Conservation Area on Sunday. The predicted show didn't amount to much, and the day was sunny and brisk, especially after the wind picked up.
The marsh area had a nice complement of ducks. We found Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers and Mallards in good numbers, with a few American Wigeon scattered in, as well as one female Wood Duck and one American Coot. A bumper crop of Eastern Bluebirds were flitting around the marsh as well, observed by a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks perched on the same branch, just a few trees over from a Cooper's Hawk.
The trail back into Dutch Gap was much quieter. We did find a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, Song Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows. The lagoon Kingfisher showed up as usual, and we were treated to immature and adult Bald Eagles soaring. As we hiked out, we were visited by a Kestrel on the fence-line and had a swift overflight by an Osprey.
The most interesting experience of the day (and also the grisliest -- the faint of heart may want to skip to the trip list at the end of this message) was evidence of a hearty meal enjoyed by one of our avian friends. On the left-hand side of the trail between the Twin Rock Spur and the fork leading to the new bridge, we found a drift of gray feathers, presumably the leavings of a hawk or owl who had used the branch just overhead as a perch to consume a sizeable meal. We eventually noticed, suspended ("like a Christmas ornament," noted one young member of the group) by a thread of sinew in a bare bush, the intact head of the victim, which appeared to be a Green Heron. The kill appeared to be very fresh, as the eyes had not clouded. 

The complete trip list is below.

Lewis Barnett

Location:     Henricus - Dutch Gap Conservation Area
Observation date:     12/7/08
Number of species:     35

Canada Goose     12
Wood Duck     1
Gadwall     25
American Wigeon     8
Mallard     22
Northern Shoveler     15
Ring-necked Duck     36
Double-crested Cormorant     120
Great Blue Heron     2
Turkey Vulture     3
Osprey     1
Bald Eagle     2
Cooper's Hawk     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     2
American Kestrel     1
American Coot     1
Ring-billed Gull     50
Mourning Dove     1
Belted Kingfisher     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     3
Eastern Phoebe     2
American Crow     X
Carolina Chickadee     4
Carolina Wren     4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     1
Eastern Bluebird     10
Northern Mockingbird     4
European Starling     15
Yellow-rumped Warbler     4
Song Sparrow     3
White-throated Sparrow     4
Dark-eyed Junco     1
Northern Cardinal     2
Red-winged Blackbird     10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA)



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