Greetings,
Yesterday was a wonderful day to visit the Great Dismal. It was
cool, but after some early morning fog lifted, it became very
comfortable. The wind stayed down until late morning. Calvin Brennan
joined me for my weekly walk. We recorded 60 species of birds and 13
species of butterflies. Bird species noted yesterday which had not been
seen or heard in previous visits by me included Eastern Wood-Pewee,
Prothonotary Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Parula Warbler, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird, Swainson's Warbler, Broad-winged Hawk, Worm-eating Warbler,
and Great Crested Flycatcher. Other interesting sightings included: a
Pine Siskin, a few Rusty Blackbirds, singing Swamp Sparrows, four Common
Loons overhead, and a singing Blue-headed Vireo. The following is a
selection of bird numbers seen or heard to give an indication of
current abundance: Prairie Warbler (30), Prothonotary Warbler (22),
Common Yellowthroat (42), Ovenbird (33), Black-and-white Warbler (10),
Worm-eating Warbler (3), Swainson's Warbler (2), White-eyed Vireo (20),
Rufous-sided Towhee (22), and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (28). Our walk
covered approximately 6 miles in 4 hours and originated at the
intersection of Jericho Ditch Lane and Jericho Ditch, a location
commonly referred to as "Five Points." The Swainson's Warblers were
heard during our walk along Williamson Ditch and were rather far from
the dike road. I'm sure during this next week other Swainson's Warblers
will stake out territories in the more traditional locations nearer to
Five Points. Please understand that the use of tape playback devices is
no longer allowed in the Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
The butterflies seen on our walk included: Eastern Tailed-Blue,
Spring Azure, Palamedes Swallowtail, Zebra Swallowtail, American Lady,
Tiger Swallowtail, Henry's Elfin, Juvenal's/Horace's Duckywing,
Red-banded Hairstreak, Pearl Crescent, Red Admiral, Sleepy Orange, and
Falcate Orangetip.
I hope you get an opportunity to enjoy a walk in the swamp before
too long.
Cheers,
Bob Ake
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