Hello VA-Birders,
Since I work in Reston I decided to try to get a glimpse of the Neotropic
cormorant from the VA side of the River across from Seneca Park in Maryland.
This area is somewhere between the Lowes Island Golf Club and the Nothern
Virginia Regional Park in Sterling. Seneca Road is blocked by a gate about a
mile from the River since the Golf Course is private, but you can park there
and walk in. However, after my experience this afternoon, Virginians are
better off just going to Maryland and observing the bird from there. I first
tried to access the river from the No VA Regional Park, but a very long (and
hilly) walk yielded a terrible view of the river. I walked back and then tried
Seneca Road toward the golf course, first taking an unpaved road near a sewage
treatment area, only to get a similarly bad view of the river. However, there
were several WINTER WRENS along this road. Following this, I walked the road
to the edge of the golf course and noticed that there are at least two large
ponds on this course where the cormorant may be loafing periodically. There
were bikers and runners using the course, so I don't think anyone minds if
people walk the paths as long as people don't walk on the fairways. However,
it is an awfully long walk (got my exercise tonight) and a lot of effort when
we can just drive to Maryland and wait for the bird to fly over VA land if you
want it as a Virginia bird. It was getting dark when I left, and an AMERICAN
WOODCOCK flew over my head.
Also, this morning at Sunrise Valley Park in Reston, I saw my first GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW (HY) at that location associating with FIELD SPARROWS. I really had to
look at this bird for a while since it had streaky flanks and breastband,
well-defined ear patch, white eyering, white median crown stripe, and what
looked like a hint of a facial disk (which may have been the light). The bill
didn't appear to be large either. Unfortunately when it finally stopped
moving, the back was occluded by some leaves. The feature that stood out to me
what the bright white belly contrasting with the buffy flanks and breast. I'm
not sure I have seen a Grasshopper Sparrow with that bright white of a belly,
but admittedly my experience with juvies could be better. I suppose I have
ruled out other possible Ammodramus, but I'd love to have another look...
Jay Keller,
Arlington
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