VA Birders,
This morning (Wed., May 19), 9 members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club
took part in our first scheduled field trip to Phelps WMA in Fauquier Co.
The trip was a great success before we even reached Phelps! From U.S. Rt. 29
in
Remington, we took Rt. 651 (Sumerduck Road) sw toward Phelps, and we made our
first stop on Rt. 654, at the Woodward Turf Farms (big sign on the corner).
Almost immediately, we heard and then found several Dickcissels, with one
especially cooperative bird singing from the wires between the road and the
first
house on the left. Then we found several Grasshopper Sparrows, which also
provided great views, along the barbed wire fence below the wires. Finally, we
spotted a Horned Lark which did a skylarking display flight over the turf farm
for us. I should also mention that we had some lovely Eastern Meadowlarks
there too.
We reached the Sighting-in Range parking area on Rogers Ford Road a
little later than planned. However, birds were still active, and we had great
views of a singing Prairie Warbler along the gravel path. Part way down the
grassy/dirt trail we finally saw a Yellow-breasted Chat perched up and singing
(?)
on a dead snag. We ended our trip at the headquarters area of Phelps, where a
Wild Turkey walked across the road in front of us as we were driving along
the entrance road.
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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