VA BIRDers,
I visited a few places during this long weekend and note the following that
may be of interest.
Saturday, 13 Jan
Cackling Goose off the Dyke Marsh picnic area at 9AM, first noted by Sherman
Suter 28 Dec, and reported by Howard Youth 7 Jan.
2 Wood Ducks at Jackson Abbott Refuge
Greater Scaup in Belmont Bay as viewed from the Mason Neck Visitor Center
Sunday, 14 Jan: Rich Rieger and I take a ride out "west"
100 American Pipits in the field near the west end of Harrison Rd, Fauquier
Co
1 Cackling Goose on Montressor Rd, Loudoun Co
and the usual Red-headed WP and Common Ravens at Sky Meadows
Hawk count from Rt 66 thru Harrison Rd, Rectorstown, Sky Meadows, Blandy,
north to Rt 7 and thence to Montressor Rd taking back roads north of Rt 7
(like Wheatland):
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 5
Red-tailed Hawk 30
American Kestrel 5
Monday, 15 January
Iceland Gull in ball field next to Prince William Co Landfill entrance (due
to many on-going landfill activities, weekends are the best time to visit
the landfill work site)
Ross's Goose in Nokesville area off Parkgate Rd near ponds on north side of
road. Later refound by Jay Keller and family on Colvin Rd ca 1 mile away
At least 2 Rusty Blackbirds in mixed blackbird flock off Parkgate Rd near
stream
At least 1 Brewer's Blackbird in mixed blackbird flock off Parkgate Rd near
stream
6 Mute Swans at Aquia Landing
10 Common Goldeneyes at Aquia Landing
1 Common Loon at Aquia Landing: plus ca 1000 coots, ca. 325 Gadwall, and a
few Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Ruddy Ducks and Bald Eagle and Northern
Harrier.
1 Laughing Gull in Hunting Creek Bay, viewed from Dyke Marsh picnic area at
430pm (likely a late record for this region)
Kurt Gaskill
