This morning, Thurs, 3/17, Riverbend Park (Fairfax County) showed few signs
of spring except for the arrival of two pairs of Wood Ducks. The previously
reported Horned Grebe was on the far side of the river across from the boat
launch.
There has been some apparent movement of wintering ducks out of this stretch
of river in the past week or so, but Ringed-neck Ducks still number at least
250. Other ducks seen today were 20 Buffleheads, a pair of Common Mergansers,
and resident Mallards and Canada Geese. A single Killdeer fed along the
shore and one Common Grackle flew overhead. Woodland songbirds were singing
but
not too enthusiastically on this gray morning.
There has been an unusually high number of Ringed-bill Gulls here for the
past month or so, maybe 500 to 800 This morning, there were still at least 300
present.
In my yard, a single Fox Sparrow has been around since Feb 25. A week ago,
two additional Fox Sparrows stopped for one day. And three days ago two B-H
Cowbirds arrived, probably waiting around for nest building to start when
spring
finally arrives.
Ralph Wall
Great Falls, VA
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