This morning, while scouting for an ANS general natural history trip to Sky
Meadows in northwestern Fauquier Co. scheduled for the 17th, I observed an
adult LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE perched on a locust tree to the southeast of Mt. Bleak
House & along the driveway, right outside the lawn area (& in the meadow). It,
& about 1/2 dozen starlings in the same tree, were flushed by a HY American
Kestrel. It flew only a short distance to land on the paddock fence between
the lawn & meadow. It then hawked for insects for several minutes from the
fence before disappearing over the knoll.
Besides the Loggerhead Shrike there was a second American Kestrel, an adult,
and a number of rather vocal & active Red-headed Woodpeckers, several right
around Mt. Bleak House and more on the nature trail behind the stables on the
east side of Rt. 17.
Joe Coleman