VA-Birders,
Pat Blyer and I went to Julie Metz Wetlands in Prince William Co. today
(Wednesday, Feb. 26) to look for the Harris's Sparrow. We were not
disappointed. We reached the monument area shortly before 11:00 am, and within
a few
minutes we got a quick glimpse of the bird. We had heard that other birders
were
bringing it and the other sparrows there seed offerings, so after the
Harris's and the other sparrows departed, I put our seed offering (from the
deluxe
mixed seed I feed the birds at my feeders) on the ground in front of the Holly
tree. About half an hour or so later the other sparrows, a pair of Cardinals,
and a Red-winged Blackbird returned to feed, and then the Harris's Sparrow
joined them. This time it stayed long enough for both of us to get a good look
at it. It was a Life Bird for Pat and a great year bird for me. In addition
to the Harris's Sparrow, we enjoyed seeing several handsome Am. Tree Sparrows,
a beautiful Fox Sparrow, a Field Sparrow, and several Song and White-throated
Sparrows.
Directions: Thanks to Phil Kenny for posting directions to the monument
area at Julie Metz recently. Let me repeat them here with a few additions.
Going south on US Rt. 1 in Prince William Co., turn left on Neabsco Road and go
east about 7/10 of a mile. Turn left into the small parking lot with 2 signs
for the Metz Wetlands (it is easy to miss; I almost missed it today even tho
I had been there before). Park and head west along the trail from the parking
lot, which parallels Neabsco Rd., toward US 1. Go to the end of this trail
(past 2 paths to the right with a sign about Wildflowers inbetween, and a small
wooded area on the right), where you will see another path to the right which
goes downhill to the monument with a large holly tree next to it. Watch for
the sparrows from the top of the hill, as Phil suggested. Pat and I took our
3-legged folding stools with us and sat there waiting for the sparrows, which
made the wait more comfortable.
End notes: The Metz Wetlands do not have restrooms, but Leesylvania
State Park, which is just down the road (turn left out of Metz and continue on
Neabsco Rd. to the park entrance on the right), does. However, the park is
still
undergoing restoration from Hurricane Isabel, and the only restrooms we found
open there today were at the office, on the right just past the toll booth.
The new Wawa gas station on the corner of Neabsco Rd. & Rt. 1 (turn right onto
Rt. 1 and then right again into the Wawa after you leave the wetlands) should
have restrooms too, and it probably has the cheapest gas in the area.
Finally, if you wish to get lunch in the area, you might try 5 Guys (from
Neabsco
Rd., turn right on Rt. 1 and go north about 3 miles). This restaurant is a cut
above the fast-food chains, and I think offers a vegetarian burger as well as
hamburgers--but be advised to order a little/small burger as the large size is
huge!) We've eaten there a few times and it's not bad.
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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