An hour's walk along the Potomac River in Riverbend Park Fairfax Cty, this
morning, March 30, produced an eastern Palm Warbler, Phoebes, a small flock
of Tree Swallows, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, in addition to the usual
permanent woodland species, which were vocal and active as well. D-C
Cormorants (seemingly in pairs) were all along the river, which also hosted
lingering Ring-necked Ducks and Common Mergansers. Neither sight nor sound
of waterthrushes or a Yellow-throated Warbler yet.
The woods along the Potomac are already alive with blooming wildflowers--Va.
bluebells, bloodroot, spring beauty, toothworts, and even some Dutchman's
breeches and star chickweed. The Va. bluebells will probably be at their
height next weekend. It's a spectacular show every spring.
At home, the Red-breasted Nuthatch which I first saw last August 25 is still
in the yard after seven months, probably because I have some of the remaining
Va. pines in the area which haven't succumbed to the dreaded beetles. There
is also a second paler bird present. Both have been more active at the suet
and sunflower seed feeder lately, so I expect they are fattening up for their
journey north. I also am enjoying a Fox Sparrow, and a Red-shouldered Hawk,
which of course, the other birds are not enjoying.
Ralph Wall
Great Falls, Va
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