Sunday, August 31, 2003
First, alert to juvenile Northern Goshawk at Faught's Rd. and Rt. 276 this
morning. Shortly after 11:05 a.m. as I reached Rt. 276 after leaving
Leonard's Pond, a huge dark cloud of black birds swirled up from the corn
field across from entrance to Faught's Rd. There is a narrow dirt/graveled
lane on opposite side of Rt. 276 going between two large fields. Facing
fields across 276 from Faught's a large raptor was gliding LOW, almost
touching tops of corn stalks. Very powerful looking hawk, not flapping and
I at first thought Northern Harrier because of size, long tail and so low
over the field. But wings were flatter, it was on a steady, even glide,
and NO white rump. The swarm of black birds took off across the road and
the hawk, missing an opportunity for brunch, flew to small grove of
shorter trees further back of cornfield on left side of the dirt/graveled
lane where it perched on an open branch. It had it's back to me and a good
distance away even with Kowa 823 scope and 20-60 zoom lens. I tried to
photograph but by then it was raining and digital cameras do not fair well
when wet.
Now, update to Baird's Sandpiper at Leonard's Pond:
I drove over to Rockingham Co. early this morning with hopes of seeing the
mystery plover along with the Baird's Sandpiper reported yesterday. The
drive over Afton Mountain confirmed there would be no hawk watch today at
Rockfish Gap -- top of ridge completely socked in with thick fog and on
return trip around 11:30 a.m. light rain added in for good measure.
No plover this morning at Leonard's Pond but what an array of sandpipers --
Baird's, Pectoral, Lesser Yellowleg, Least, Western, Spotted, and
Solitary. Seems each day brings something new.
Lighting was terrible what with very gray overcast sky, fog/mist and light
drizzle. I managed to get a few poor pics but nonetheless, enough I think
to show some detail on both the Baird's and Pectoral.
Sandpipers and the numerous Killdeer were stirred up by two Cooper's Hawk
which sailed across the northern end of the pond.
Link to web site with pictures below. If it does not automatically pop up
for you, either copy and past the complete URL address in your web browser
or type it in.
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
http://home.ntelos.net/~btkin/Birds_of_the_Commonwealth/image_links/Bairds_Pectoral.htm
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
