The Red-necked Grebe in breeding plumage is still on Woodglen Lake,
Fairfax, VA. The coloration is closer to the illustration in the National
Geographic Birds of America than that of Sibley or other guides I reviewed.
Not a bright russet neck, but the top and back of the head is black and the
cheeks are light tan to white, depending on the angle of the light. The lake
is small, so a scope is not necessary to get good looks at the bird if you are
willing to get your feet wet walking along the lake to get closer to the bird.
Other birds noted this morning were 3 Great Blue Herons, 4 Green Herons, 2
Black-crowned Night Herons, 12 Canadas (2 pairs nested, one fledged 7 and the
other 3, so I assume the local foxes got some young ones), 3 mallards, usual
assortment of woodland edge birds, including a singing Wood Peewee that
wouldn't quit.
Directions to Woodglen Lake: near the intersection of Ox Road (Rt. 123) and
Burke Centre Parkway (N.Va. ADC Map Coordinates 20 H 5). From Ox Road turn
onto Zion Drive and go approximately 1 mile to Kipp Court. Access to the
feeder stream end of the lake is from Zion Drive (park on Kipp Court and walk a
hundred yards or so further along Zion over the pedestrian bridge across the
stream to a white metal gate). An asphalt drive quickly turns into a gravel
trail and then a path along the east side of the lake. Better access for
today's continued wet conditions is from the dam, which has an asphalt path
across it. The dam can be accessed through the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, a bit
further down Zion Drive, off Fireside Court. It can also be accessed through
the Fairfax Club Estates neighborhood. From Rt. 123 turn onto Adare Drive,
take the first left onto John Ayres Drive. Continue on John Ayres for a bit
over 1/2 mile and look for Goldeneye Lane. Turn right on Goldeneye and park.
The trail to the dam is an unmarked asphalt path between the first and second
houses on the left after you turn onto Goldeneye. The distance to the lake is
approximately 200 yards. Woodglen Lake is an undeveloped Fairfax County Park,
technically part of Pohick Stream Valley Park.
Sarah Mayhew
Fairfax, VA
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