Obviously, this was not a very scientific survey. The primary conclusion is
that Possum Point/Cockpit Rd needs to secede from Prince William and join
Fairfax. Wow! I'm almost as impressed by Rich's disappointment with the
diversity. Only 20 species of warbler. Pretty lame.
In Fairfax County, things were quiet, dispite the apparently favorable winds
(and date). Mason Neck and Fort Belvoir were dead (Bart and I had 9 species
of warbler between the two, and only a few were obvious passage migrants).
Reports from Riverbend, Huntley Hike/Bike Trail, and wherever it was that Fred
Atwood was were not inspiring, either. The report from Great Falls was a bit
sketchy, but sounded a bit better (10 species of warbler). Did anyone bird the
Thrush Trail at Meadowwood, Wakefield Rec. Ctr., or Dyke Marsh on Saturday?
Our Big Day strategy for this Saturday is in a complete state of flux.
Traditionally, after owling stops, we have done Bull Run Post Office Rd. for
pre-dawn, followed by a race across the county to Great Falls for migrants,
then
Dyke Marsh, Ft. Belvoir, and Mason Neck, followed by evening at Huntley. This
year, we want to try avoiding all that driving and focus on the southern part
of
the county, mostly along the Potomac.
Where do we go for passage migrants if we want to avoid the long drive to
Great Falls? Are any waterfowl lingering in the County (PB grebe, coot, any
duck
other than mallard and wood)? How about difficult breeders: woodcock and
whips (other than BRPO Rd. (and has anyone confirmed them there this spring?)
and
inaccessible parts of Ft. Belvoir); worm-eating, Kentucky, hooded,
LAH2Othrush, and chat (whether it's really a warbler or not); grasshopper
sparrow (are
they still at Lorton?); kestrel; either night-heron; rails (other than sora at
Huntley), summer tanager (they must be breeding on the Mason Neck peninsula,
but where exactly)?
Any intelligence would be greatly appreciated. In particular, late-week
reports of birds that might stick for Saturday.
Thanks.
Ben Jesup
Alexandria
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