I went in search of Dickcissels (a lifer for me) at the Culpepper location
posted by Jay. I arrived about 6AM and was pessimistic as both fields flanking
the hedgerow along Alvere Rd. have been mowed. I did hear one singing but could
not locate it. There were several each of Grasshopper Sp. and Blue Grosbeaks,
and numerous E. Meadowlarks. As I headed back toward Batna Rd., I had close
views of second Dickcissel, including while singing about thirty feet away. The
location was about midway between the farm house near the NW corner of Batna
and Blackjack Rds. and the first farmhouse on the south side. The Dickcissel
was feeding with Goldfinches in the small weedy field to the north and flew
across the road landing in a small tree/shrub along the south side, where he
was out in the open and singing. There is a wet spot here surrounded by brush
and small trees. A Bobwhite and Y.-b. Cuckoo were singing here at the same time
on the north side. The Cuckoo was in the trees surrounding the farmhouse.
I then headed to the turf farm area south of Remington. Highlights here were
6-10 Horned Larks in the sorghum (?) fields on the south side of 654 (starting
at 651). Saw five (first for me east of the Mississippi), including one male
singing at about 40 feet away. I heard up to six others at various locations in
the sorghum fields. The Larks were seen and heard between 9:30 and 10AM; hurrah
for cool cloudy mornings. Additional highlights were one and probably two
Red-headed Woodpeckers along Grassdale Rd. The first was eating from a feeder
in the yard of the only house on the south side of Grassdale, which I saw as I
was heading back towards 651. The second sighting was shortly thereafter in the
dead trees that border the woodlot along the military property, just east of
where you can see the building, across the north side field. (You need a scope
to see anything in these trees, although you can pick up the white of the WP
with binoculars). Unlike Jay, I could find only one Grasshopper Sp. (along
Hardin Pines Rd.). I also poked around Phelps WMA, which explains the Wood
Thrush, etc. The Chat was near Phelps pond.
All-in-all, perfect justification for playing hooky. Complete list follows.
Scott Priebe
Springfield, VA.
Culpepper Co. - 29
Northern Bobwhite
Killdeer
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Kingbird
Red-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Towhee
Field Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Dickcissel
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Orchard Oriole
American Goldfinch
Fauquier Co. - 56
Canada Goose
Northern Bobwhite
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Pine Warbler
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat
Scarlet Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
