One of the joys of birding is running into the unexpected! I was out in my
local patch this afternoon, walking along that part of Accotink Stream that
passes through Wakefield Park (Fairfax County). In addition to the expected
Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher and several pairs of Mallards, I was amazed
to find a first winter Common Goldeneye on the stream. First time this species
has been recorded in my local patch.
And then, perched atop a broken snag, right next to Braddock Road, was a
female Merlin, eating a small bird. This is adjacent to a power line open
space.
A few years ago I saw a Merlin racing down it, but the present sighting is
only the second Merlin for my local patch.
Stephen Eccles
