VA BIRDers,
I joined up with Chip Smith, one of the managers of the sailing school at
Belle Haven Marina (about 3/4 mile south of the Wilson Bridge just off the GW
Parkway) for an early morning canoe trip into Dyke Marsh. We started just
near sunrise (0545) and paddled down to the Big Gut, which is an opening into
the marsh about 1/2 mile south of the marina; the tide was going out and was
near its ebb by about 0900. The Big Gut makes several "s" curves into the
marsh and then the goes under the GW Parkway and the parallel hike-bike trail
(the channel is much smaller in width at this point). Our goal this morning
was finding Least Bitterns and we were not disappointed - we counted 11
individuals! There were 2 different adult pairs as we traversed the
beginning of the Big Gut and near the end, about 100yds from GW Parkway we
came across a family group of 2 adults and 2 immature birds. The immatures
made repetitive call notes that were reminescent of blackbird call notes.
All of these birds were initially spotted near spadderdock (sp.?) plants -
large "elephant eared" plants that grow along or in the gut channels and were
bordered by tall cattails. Later, as we paddled back to the marina, we
entered the small bay just south of Haul Road - sometimes called the little
Gut - and found 2 adults and an immature on the exposed mud near the top of
the bay. Total elapsed time was about 2 hours.
In the last couple of weeks the Breeding Bird Survey at Dyke had reported
large numbers of Least Bitterns and today's cruise confirms those results.
Also, the BBS data strongly argues that there is at least one other bird that
we missed (mainly because we did not go looking for it around the island near
the marina; time being the constraint today). Hence, there are at least 12
Least Bitterns at Dyke this year at this time. Mapping of the Least Bittern
locations found today suggests that there is habitat to support as many as 2
more breeding pairs in areas not visited today. Incidentally, this is one of
the better years in recent memory for this species at Dyke (and maybe
elsewhere?). Last year 4 Least Bitterns was the maximum count.
Least Bitterns tend to be early fall migrants with no records in September
(of which I am aware) in No VA. For those interested in exploring Dyke Marsh
and viewing Least Bitterns, canoes can be rented at the marina. I would
suggest a falling tide in may be the best time to try - in the morning to
beat the heat!. (And please drop me a line with your observations!)
Other highlights observed today were 2 Green Herons, 4 Wood Ducks, many
Mallards, several Osprey on nests, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, several E.
Kingbirds, E. Phoebe, Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, 10 Marsh
Wren, 3 Prothonotary Warblers (CF), a few Common Yellowthroats, a couple of
Indigo Buntings, several dozen Red-winged Blackbirds and 650 Common Grackles.
It was a fine way to start the morning!
Kurt Gaskill
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