The highlight for the 15 birders on this morning's Huntley Meadows Monday
Birdwalk was a flock of Common Grackles easily exceeding one thousand
individuals which passed over the central wetlands heading into the trees on
the north edge. By our reckoning, it took about ten minutes for this flight to
complete the transit. Shortly after settling into the trees, the entire flock
took off at once. The sound was astonishing. An amazing sight. Other
highlights included our first Winter Wren of the season, and six of the seven
woodpecker species found at Huntley Meadows.
Canada Goose 55
Mallard 19
Green-winged Teal 3
Ruddy Duck 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Killdeer 1
Laughing Gull 12
Ring-billed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 8
Pileated Woodpecker 4
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 6
Winter Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Eastern Bluebird 8
Hermit Thrush 5
American Robin 12
Northern Mockingbird 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Palm Warbler 1
Field Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 35+
White-throated Sparrow 30
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 1000+
American Goldfinch 12
The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7 AM, is free of charge,
requires no reservation, and is open to all. Birders meet in the parking lot
at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA. For questions
call the Park at (703) 768-2525.
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
