We visited Accotink Bay in this morning's light rain and found two Prairie
Warblers in the clearing at the south end of the Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge
Basin Trail. In the same clearing, a Red-Eyed Vireo seemed to be curious about
a female Eastern Bluebird with material in its beak. Only one Mute Swan was
visible in Accotink Bay, though we've seen two there on a few occasions
recently. Of course, several Osprey and Bald Eagles were present. The tide
was in, so no shore birds.
Also observed: Mourning Dove, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Northern
Mockingbird, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch, Eastern Towhee, Great Blue
Heron (10 or so), Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, European Starling, Common Grackle,
Baltimore Oriole (chasing a crow), American Crow, Song Sparrow, Red-Winged
Blackbird, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Carolina
Chickadee, White-Eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Blue Jay,
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Accadian Flycatcher, Mallard (6), Great Crested
Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Canada
Goose, and Ground Hog (3).
Yesterday morning, a swarm of biting flies breakfasted on us on the Bay View
Trail at Mason Neck State Park. In between bites, we had several great looks
at Prothonotary Warblers. Also, a Great Crested Flycatcher posed for us atop a
rampike until frightened off by a Bald Eagle airlifting a massive fish.
***One mystery bird escaped identification. A caricature of its song: sweet,
sweet, SWEET, SWEET, sweet, swur ... sweet, sweet, SWEET, SWEET, swur. Six
syllables followed by five, the last slurring downwards. If anyone knows of a
likely suspect, let us know.***
Also observed at Mason Neck State Park (but not at Accotink Bay): Wood Thrush,
Ovenbird, American Robin, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Chipping
Sparrow, and Brown-Headed Cowbird.
Rick and Karen Jones
Alexandria
