VA BIRDers,
Similar to Steve Williams' recent message, I also stopped for a bit of
birding along Pohich Bay, only my perspective was from the Pohick Bay Park
which is across from Steve's Fort Belvoir vantage. I missed the moorhen,
but the birding was great - the bay from this side is just teaming with
waterfowl!
I drove into the park from Gunston Rd and immediately heard the plaintive
whistled notes of a Hermit Thrush from the forest next to the road. I
continued down to the marina and spotted several hundred American Coots off
to the right near the summer rental boat docks. But this was just the
beginning - I drove to the west end of the parking lot and could see
thousands of waterfowl dotting the water of Pohick Bay! These birds
peppered the water in singles and clumps of dozens of birds all across the
bay - and within 20 feet of where I stood on at the water's edge. This is
one of those amazing sights that become intimate to the observer because of
the closeness of the birds. This mass of birds continued up the creek - I
believe the bend in the creek prevented me from seeing more! American Coots
and Ruddy Ducks dominated the mix, although there were a fair selection of
Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks in the group. Plus a single Canvasback
and Redhead. Overhead, I made out 4 Forster's Terns fishing in the bay
waters. Bald Eagles would occasionally fly across the bay, sending many
dozens of Ruddys and Coots skittering across the water, there webbed feet
propelling them forward with a great flurry of noise. As I scoped the mass
of waterfowl, I could hear Tundra Swan flying across the mouth of Gunston
Cove, just a mile away.
After getting my fill of the waterfowl, I tried to leave the park but was
stopped by a commotion in a pine tree near the boat storage area - a few
Titmice and kinglets were sparring in the tree along with a Red-breasted
Nuthatch. This makes me think that we are going to have a great year for
these visiting nuthatches!
Pohick Bay Park is one of the key areas of the Fort Belvoir CBC, scheduled
for Saturday, Dec 31. If you are interested in more information or
participating, please contact Bart Hutchinson at planetwaves99 at aol.com
Below are estimated numbers of the waterfowl and other interesting birds I
spotted this morning.
Kurt Gaskill
Canada Goose - heard flying over
Tundra Swan - heard flying over
Gadwall - 50
American Wigeon - 20
Northern Shoveler - 10
Canvasback - 1
Redhead - 1
Ring-necked Duck - 200
Lesser Scaup - 750
Bufflehead - 1
Hooded Merganser - 7
Ruddy Duck - at least 3000!
Pied-billed Grebe - 12
Great Blue Heron - 20
Bald Eagle - 6
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Coot - at least 3000!
Forster's Tern - 4
