I went to Huntley Meadows today to check my bluebird boxes and on Phil
Silas's Ovenbird. I found it plus additional Ovenbirds singing along the
Pond Trail and the entrance to the Woodcock Meadow. The day started with a
confirmation that bluebirds are nest building in the new box 1 at the Kings
Highway parking lot. Next I found a singing Pine Warbler near the
maintenance building accompanied by a few Chipping Sparrows. More Chippers
were singing in the first meadow. Yellow-rumped Warblers sang at several
locations. After finding the Pond Trail Ovenbirds, a quick trip to the North
Marsh (path just ahead of the second Pond Trail entrance on the left side of
the Hike-Bike Trail) yielded three Red-headed Woodpeckers near the little
bridge and today's only Common Yellowthroat in the marsh. Then I ran into
Sherman Suter and Rich Rieger. And finally Sasha Munters joined the group.
We saw a nice flock of Rusty Blackbirds on the path leading to the water
control structure. Sasha pointed out a Green-winged Teal pair. I was
delighted at the number of Pied-billed Grebes remaining in the Central
Wetland and pondered if they might stay to breed considering current water
levels and habitat. It was an enjoyable day to be out, especially as the
breeding season is underway.
Huntley Meadows Park--Hike and Bike Trail, Fairfax, Virginia, US Apr 11,
2017 6:27 AM - 12:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Route consists of Hike-Bike and Pond Trails, Woodcock and
adjacent meadows, Central and North Wetlands, and Water Control Structure.
Weather was clear with light breeze and temperatures ranging from 60 to 79
degrees Fahrenheit.
45 species
Canada Goose 12
Wood Duck 4
Mallard 8
Green-winged Teal (American) 2
Pied-billed Grebe 4
Great Blue Heron (Blue form) 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 1
American Coot 5
Mourning Dove 4
Red-headed Woodpecker 3 Near North Marsh
Red-bellied Woodpecker 17
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 30
Fish Crow 7
Tree Swallow 24
Barn Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 24
Tufted Titmouse 35
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 7
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 29
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 19
Ovenbird 5 Mostly around Pond Trail. First of the year.
Common Yellowthroat 1
Pine Warbler 1 Singing near maintenance building
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 15
Chipping Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 20
Song Sparrow 3
Swamp Sparrow 2
Eastern Towhee 12
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 11
Rusty Blackbird 48 Along marsh as viewed from trail to water control
structure.
Common Grackle (Purple) 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 14
American Goldfinch 23
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S35874266
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Larry Cartwright
prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:prowarbler@xxxxxxxxxxx>
