I led this walk this morning. Best bird for me was the male rose-breasted
grosbeak in the parking lot -- from the posts, it certainly appears they have
arrived en masse in the last two days, but this was my first of the year.
Other
passage passerines were essentially non-existent, but we did hear an LA
H2Othrush.
The shorebirds were the real show. I didn't take an accurate count, but I'd
estimate:
2 snipe
4 greater yellowlegs
12 lesser yellowlegs
4 solitary
1 spotted
7 least
2 killdeer
We also had mindbendingly good views of a sora (so close I could barely focus
the scope on it -- and didn't need to -- but did anyway). Hope we don't get
too jaded about soras. They are a gorgeous gift.
We also saw mommy merg and her puffball flotilla, and both teal.
Before the walk, Bart Hutchinson and I did a quick walk on the hike/bike
trail. Highlights included a flushed woodcock (making an 8 shorebird day for
me),
3 Acadian flycatchers (first of the year for us), and a palm warbler.
Finally, Saturday evening in White Oaks Park was good for about a dozen
thrushes, about half wood and half hermit, winter wren, and hooded warbler.
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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