The highlight of an early walk in the Riverbend Park meadow this Thursday
morning (10/20) was a sky blackened with a swarm of Common Grackles--at least
500. Otherwise, there appeared to be a noticeable increase in Field and Song
Sparrows. Kinglets, Palm Warblers, and Phoebes were also about. There has
also
been 30 American Coots on the Potomac at Riverbend for the past few days.
In my yard, new fall arrivals today included two Hermit Thrushes, two Y-B
Sapsuckers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and at long last a White-throated Sparrow.
Still hanging around are a B-T Green Warbler, a Red-eyed Vireo, and several R-C
Kinglets.
On Wednesday, I had a single female Purple Finch in the yard as well as a
pristine Wood Thrush checking out the bathing facilities.
Ralph Wall
Great Falls, VA
