The bird of the day on this morning's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
was an American Bittern that exploded out of the wetland directly next to the
boardwalk where one of our birders was standing. Startling! In a close second
place was a Willet found with a group of Greater Yellow legs. Willets are so
rare at Huntley they don't appear on the Park bird list. Yellow-throated
Vireos, Prothonatary Warblers, a Merlin, and a pair of Great Crested
Flycatchers highlighted the remainder of the list of 62 species. Steady rain
and a cold chill were slight annoyances given the bird treasures we encountered.
Canada Goose 30
Wood Duck 30
Mallard 7
Hooded Merganser 12
Wild Turkey 1
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Green Heron 1
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Solitary Sandpiper 4
Greater Yellowlegs 15
Willet 1
Ring-billed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 1
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 6
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 3
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3American Crow 6
Fish Crow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20
Tree Swallow 25
Barn Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Veery 1
American Robin 12
Northern Waterthrush 2
Prothonotary Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 7
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 24
Chipping Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 40
Swamp Sparrow 2
Eastern Towhee 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Rusty Blackbird 3
Common Grackle 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
American Goldfinch 3
The Monday Morning Birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine (except during electrical
storms, strong winds, or icy trails), at 7AM (8AM from November through March),
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.
Questions should be directed to Park staff during normal business hours at
(703)768-2525.
Harry GlasgowFriends of Huntley Meadows Park
