VA-Birders,
I started at about 5:40 AM today by visiting selected points in the Lorton
area, which includes some open grassy/scrubby areas and some forested portions
as well. Highlights here were very much the same as Kurt Gaskill reported last
week. I observed an AMERICAN KESTREL on Peniwill Rd, 3 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS (two
locations), BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, WORM-EATING WARBLER, CHAT, and EASTERN
MEADOWLARK in other areas.
Larry Meade and I met at Occoquan Bay NWR for the gate opening at 7 AM. I
wanted to return here because last week I thought I might have caught a glimpse
of a LEAST BITTERN in the marsh on Easy Rd, but wasn't sure. As Larry and I
(and two birders I don't know) watched the marsh, a Least Bittern flew in front
of us and landed in the grasses before disappearing lower. Mission
accomplished. No sign of the Virginia Rail today. In fact, we only caught a
glimpse of one KING RAIL as it dove into some vegetation at the bridge on
Charlie Rd. We heard no others. Other highlights here include an even dozen
NORTHERN BOBWHITES, two over-flying LAUGHING GULLS, and a WARBLING VIREO (Easy
Rd). Several young ORCHARD ORIOLES were present, one being fed by parents (the
female to be precise, as the male looked on from another tree).
We followed OBNWR with quick stops at the Belmont Bay marina and Veteran's
Park, the latter harboring our first GREAT EGRETS of the day.
After this, Larry had to depart and I continued to the Great Marsh of Mason
Neck NWR. I got it into my head to see how many species I could rack up by
noon, and looking at the list I noticed that shorebird finds were nil. This
continued here, as like in most other places, water levels were high and it is
a bit early. I was able to clean up on some previously-missed birds, however,
such as both SUMMER and SCARLET TANAGERS, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, OVENBIRD, and
HOODED WARBLER (while leaving the parking lot). The best pick-up here was the
young GREAT-HORNED OWL heard giving its 'Heep!' begging call. It must have
been hungry, as it would not stop.
From here I went to Dyke Marsh to try to catch up on some Larids and maybe,
just maybe some shorebirds. I was greeted with a very low tide, but the only
shorebird was a lone KILLDEER. On the flats, however, was a single CASPIAN
TERN, more LAUGHING GULLS, a HERRING GULL, and five GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS
(all juvies). Here I picked up a singing MARSH WREN from Haul Rd as well, and
on the drive home finally got my first TURKEY VULTURE of the day!, bringing me
to 93 species for the morning. With some pre-planning, it shouldn't be too
hard to crack 100 species before noon in Northern VA in the second week of July.
Jay Keller
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