First the arrivals: CATBIRD, B&W WARBLER, and SWAMP SPARROW today, RED-EYED
VIREO on Wednesday. Also today I had a WOODCOCK shoot out from under my
feet, and a late-ish WINTER WREN.
In response to my earlier post about the scarcity of yellow-rumps, I got
several responses each both agreeing and disagreeing. I did have 15 this
week, but none in the last three days, which seemed unusual. So I went back
and looked at my data for the last six years (since I started keeping
accurate records). Here are the results from April 1 to April 23 each year:
1999: 324
2000: 81
2001: 160
2002: 117
2003: cant find my data ARRRG!
2004: 72
2005: 28
Note that the last two years are not strictly comparable, as a new fence cut
out a portion of my older route (but probably no more than 10-15%). In
every previous year, I have had 25-50 yellow-rumps on some mornings during
this periodthe high thus far this year is 8.
BTW, I might check out the new Fairfax Park Authority property off Pleasant
Valley Road (near BRPO Rd.) Sunday morning before dawn to see if whips,
woodcock, or short-eared owls are around. Ive only been there once (on
this years CBC) and it looks like it has potential (until they put ball
fields all over it). Anyone want to join me?
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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