VA BIRDers,
Looking to fill in a few holes in the No. VA July month list, I visited the
Thompson WMA. Highlight species was a Ruffed Grouse about 10 feet from the
trail from parking lot #6, about 300 yds down.
I started the day early, deciding to test the waters of Bull Run Post Office
Road for a July Whip-poor-will. I arrived at the location at about 0445 and
quickly found - a No. Mockingbird. This fellow had quite a reportoire and
his Blue Jay call was rather commendable. I did wish he would quiet down as
he was about 50 yds from my first stop, overlooking the "Short-eared Owl"
field, and it was difficult to hear anything but mockingbird As the sky
lighted a bit, Field Sparrows, No. Cardinals, and E. Towhees chimed in - but
no Whips!
I drove down to Running Post Court (or whatever this little cul-de-sac very
near the power lines is called). I opened the door and was immediately met
with not one but 2 Willow Flycatchers dueting from either side of the car. A
nearby E. Kingbird started up doing an interesting variation of its song that
actually sounded like a song! More Field Sparrows, Song Sparrow, Bobwhite,
Towhees, Killdeer, etc, but no Whips.
I then drove futher north to where the woods start. Here I stopped and was
immediately taken by a rather interesting but strange American Robin song in
a tree next to the road. It was quite repetitious like a vireo and somewhat
hoarse like a Scarlet Tanager. I guess a hot, dry July will do that to you.
I had written off the Whip and decided to just enjoy the music of Chats and
Common Yellowthroats and Wood Thrush and Indigo Buntings that were nearby
when I caught the Whip-poor-will medley. It came from some Junipers (excuse
me, Red Cedars!) along the road edge a few hundred yards back down the road.
I was surprised as it was getting quite light out - it was about 0515. Soon,
another Whip met its refrain, calling from the trees beyond the horse barn.
This was my first July Whip-poor-will. Pretty cool.
After listening for several minutes, I got in the car and drove to Upper
Thompson (Freezeland Rd). Thompson is great place to bird in July as it can
deliver unexpected species and the Ruffed Grouse certainly fell into that
catagory that day. I found most of the usual breeders up there - came across
2 family groups of Am. Redstarts, the juveniles following the adults around
begging with repeated "tic tic tic" notes. Also, juvie Worm-eating, Hooded
and Kentucky with adults only a few tens of yards away. I did not hear any
Ovenbirds but my sole sighting was of a bird that appeared as I was pishing
up a Hooded. Also came across 2 fairly quiet Ceruleans foraging in the trees
along the road near a power line cut - only a few quiet "chip"s were heard,
each having an "s" quality.
Afterwards, I drove to Sky Meadows and, running into Roger Clapp, chatted
with him for a bit about birds and stuff. Then, I spent about an hour along
the bridle trail but was unable to find any Loggerhead Shrikes - lots of
Towhees, though! (And, yes, I did see the requisite Red-headed Woodpecker.)
I called it quits and left at about noon so Cher and I could see a movie
later in the afternoon.
Kurt Gaskill
Here's the numbers for Thompson:
Ruffed Grouse 1
Red-bellied WP 1
Downy WP 4
Hairy WP 1
E. Wood Pewee 4
Acadian Flycatcher 8
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
White-eyed V 1
Red-eyed V 7
Blue Jay 1
C. Chickadee 1
T. Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
C. Wren 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Wood Thrush 20
Am. Robin 2
Gray Catbird 12
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing 1
Cerulean Warbler 2
Am. Redstart 12, FY
Worm-eating Warbler 2, imm calling
Ovenbird 1
Kentucky Warbler 4, imm female noted
Hooded Warbler 9, imm male noted
YB Chat 2
Scarlet Tanager 4
E. Towhee 26
No. Cardinal 3
Indigo Bunting 13
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Am. Goldfinch 4
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