The Sedge Wrens discovered near Middlebrook in Augusta County by Allen
Larner and photographed by Brenda Tekin are, I suspect, breeding there. If
so, this is certainly a first for Augusta County and perhaps the state.
Coastal Virginia has had summer records of this bird but no confirmed
breeding that I'm aware of. Sue Heath or Steve Rottenborn may have the
data to respond to the latter. Does anyone have breeding records of sedge
wrens in Virginia?
After camping out at the site for 45 minutes yesterday (July 27) morning, I
finally heard the male sing at 0850 and was able to locate him on the fence
wire. I did not see any of the other Sedge Wrens that Allen and Brenda had
seen.
The reasons I believe these birds are breeding here is:
1) The date -- Persistent singing for nearly 1 week by the male suggests
territorial defense. This species is typically double brooded, so I assume
that all or most breeding Sedge Wrens in North America are still on
territory. It seems too early to find them in migration. In this part of
the state Sedge Wrens are infrequently encountered and when we do find them
most records are from mid August to October. The few fall birds that I have
personally encountered were extremely stealthy and quiet.
2) Habitat -- The habitat is right, wet marshy meadow. This species is an
opportunistic breeder selecting appropriate habitat when encountered,
although typically farther north or west of here. Usually there is no
breeding site fidelity from year to year.
3) Multiple birds -- Brenda and Allen have seen 3 birds, which suggests a
family group. There may be more in the grasses as these are furtive little
rascals. The juveniles are almost indistinguishable from adults by field
marks alone. I'm not sure, but I would doubt that this species migrates in
family groups. Perhaps with additional observation we could witness adults
feeding young.
If indeed these wrens are breeding here it would make this quite a special
pasture/field/marsh, serving as the breeding site for Great Blue Herons and
very likely the Loggerhead Shrikes. I saw two shrikes in the distant
hawthorns, but with only my field glasses I could not tell if they were
adults or juveniles. Nevertheless, the habitat is perfect for shrikes to
nest -- lots of hawthorns. Additional observation time with scopes may shed
more light on these birds as well. Thank you Brenda and Allen for your
discoveries, astute observations and photographic documentation.
If others visit this area and have pertinent and new information to share,
please post it. We do not know who owns the property but it is posted. So,
please refrain from trespassing into the fields. If we identify the owners
we will seek permission to enter the site perhaps after the breeding season
in hopes of finding the globular nest of this species or one of the dummy
nests that the males often build.
John Spahr
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