Hello birders,
I was able to spend about 24 hours in Northumberland Co. (Northern Neck),
arriving on evening of the 28th and leaving on the evening of the 29th. The
evening (5/28) got underway with what I like to call the Night of the Living
Goatsuckers; 28 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS rising up. Not a huge number but the most
I've seen in a group this spring. Later 2 CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW sang. There may
have been a distant Whip-poor-will, but the waves from the Potomac were
drowning out the sounds. This was all in the vicinity of Hull Neck.
Next morning (5/29) I was at Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve from 6:00
a.m. - 8:15 am. A quality spot, has good migrant trap potential, especially
fall. Before I go on I'd like to recognize the efforts of Northern Neck
Audubon, Dept. of Recreation and Conservation, and Nature Conservancy. Last
year when I last visited the trail was completely blocked with fallen trees.
This time the trail was completely clear. Nice job.
When arrived conditions were almost completely calm. Little wind and surf
with low tide. 2 adult RED-HEADED WOODPECKERs were seen although I was
unable to find any nest site. Other highlights for me were (in order of
appearance)
RUB-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (1 female)
SALTMARSH SHARP-TAILED SPARROW (6),
CLAPPER RAIL (1),
LEAST BITTERN (2, one "singing", one seen briefly in flight)
SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER (c.40)
SPOTTED SANPIPER (6)
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (1 singing))
CANADA WARBLER (1 female)
MAGNOLIA WARBLER (1 female)
AMERICAN REDSTART (3)
GREY-CHEEKED TRUSH (1 seen and singing),
SUMMER TANAGER (1)
YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO (3)
HOODED WARBLER (female with nesting material)
Also paid a quick visit to Dameron Marsh. About 3 YELLOW-BREATED CHAT
singing and doing song flight display. Another WILLOW FLYCATCHER singing,
BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE too. On the approach roads I noted, SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER
(6), LEAST SANDPIPER (2), SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER (7), LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(1), KILLDEER (1). Also, HORNED LARK (4) BOBWHITE (1) and GRASSHOPPER
SPARROW (2).
Other species of note seen in Hull Neck area include; COMMON TERN (3)
FORSTERS TERN (c.20). BOBWHITE (1), ROYAL TERN (3), BALD EAGLE (1 adult),
COOPERS HAWK (1).
Good Birding,
Arun Bose,
Richmond, VA.
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