[va-richmond-general] Henricus-Wednesday afternoon

Stopped at Henricus briefly this afternoon hoping to take some photographs
of ducks. The water in front of the rookery was mostly ice/slush and had
numbers of Gadwall, Woodies, American Wigeon, Mallard and Northern Shovelers
flying over in search of open water.

A pair of immature Bald Eagles were tussling with Great Blue Herons over ?
ownership of the  Osprey nest (across from the 2nd platform on the left as
you drive the main road into the park.) I counted 6 pair of Great Blue
Herons standing in nests and collecting nesting material along the marsh.

Scanning the shoreline under the rookery I was pleased to find 2 male
turkeys scraping in the dirt for grubs and the like. I scoped them for over
20 minutes and was able to see long beards and bright red wattles on both.
They gave quite a show.

Good numbers of Eastern Bluebirds, Flickers, Song and Swamp sparrows were
seen flying in and out of the marsh.

No paucity of Black Vultures at the boat landing as I counted over 50 and
listened to them hiss and scuffle amongst themselves.

My suet in Chester proves to be the hot spot for Bluebirds, Ruby Crowned
Kinglet, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Brown Creeper and Brown Thrashers. The
biggest draw today however seemed to be 4 pieces of Red Baron pizza that was
a Blue jay, Starling and Grackle magnet!

Julie Kacmarcik
Chester

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