I arrived at the top of the hill on Cockpit Rd. at dawn. The clump of trees
above the settling pond held a singing Prairie Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler
and Orchard Oriole. Field and Song Sparrows were singing away in the
surrounding fields. I saw and/or heard seven other species of warblers: N.
Parula (3-4), Chestnut-sided (3), Yellow-rumped (many), Black-and-white (at
least 5 individuals singing), Worm-eating (1), Ovenbird (1), and Common
Yellowthroat. A Hooded Warbler (heard) was added at one of the pull-offs along
Possum Pt. Rd. The highlight of the walk was a pair of adult Kildeer down at
the turnaround in front of the asphalt plant trying to distract me from a chick
(only saw one), complete with the "I'm dying" routine by one of them. Other
highlights included Sharp-shinned Hawk, Indigo Bunting (2), Savannah Sparrow at
the asphalt plant, Ruby-thr. Hummingbird, and a half-dozen or more Wood
Thrushes singing up and down Cockpit Rd. For Cockpit and Possum Point Rds, I
identified 56 species total, but there were several others heard that I
couldn't identify.
I headed over to Julie Metz Wetlands for about 40 min. White-eyed Vireos and C.
Yellowthroats were numerous and vocal. A pair Red-shouldered Hawks flew
overhead, harassed by several C. Grackles. I added a Yellow Warbler for my
eleventh warbler species, and Swamp Sparrow for my fifth sparrow of the
morning. I picked up 5 new species at Metz and a Hairy WP on my deck back home
for a total of 62 species on the morning.
Scott Priebe
Springfield, VA
