VA Birders
I had brief looks at the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Countryside
Golf Course near Roanoke this morning. After parking in the main lot
at the Golf Course around 7:35 AM, I walked across the cart path at
the 1st hole and almost immediately saw the bird perched atop the
net-like backstop thingy (obviously I'm not a golfer so I don't know
the technical term). About the time I raised my glasses to get a better
look at the bird, a golf cart "zoomed" up, startling both me and the
flycatcher. The guy in the cart asked me what I was doing and I
explained. He then informed me rather nicely that I would have to
pay green fees if I wanted to bird on the course. He also told me
that I could try cruising the public roads around the perimeter of
the course. Having no desires to pay the fees, I returned to my car
and began to cruise the roads as suggested. I eventually relocated
the bird while driving on Frontage Road near the 5th hole at around
9:50 AM. At this spot, I again had a brief and distant look at the
flycatcher (with binoculars this time) as it perched on one of the metal
airport navigation tower across I-581. After a couple of minutes,
the bird flew across the interstate and back towards the golf course
at which point I lost sight of it. I spent the nest 2 hours attempting
to relocate the bird without success.
To reach the golf course, from I-581 near the Roanoke Airport take
Exit 3W (Herschberger Road) and continue for about a mile to Cove Road
and turn right. Continue for about another mile and turn right again on
Countryside Rd. (there is a sign for the Countryside Golf Course here).
Continue to the T and go left to reach the parking lot. To cruise the
public roads, return to Cove Rd and turn left then turn left again on
Routt Rd. Continue to the stop sign and then turn left on Highland Farms
Rd. You can get a look at the 1st and 2nd holes from the apartment
complex on Tuckawana Lane (on your left) or continue to the T-intersection
with Frontage Road and turn right to look over the 3rd hole or left to
look over the 4th. Continue past the 4th hole area (you will have the
course on your left and I-581 on your right) and look for the airport
navigation towers crossing the interstate and Frontage Road. There is a
small pull of here or you can park on the shoulders (not much traffic land
or air) while I was there). From here you can scan the towers and or
walk up to the edge of the green near the 5th hole. If you continue on
Frontage Rd and then turn left on Laurel Ridge you can park on the side
of the street for a look at the 6th hole.
Of course if you are so inclined, I guess you could pay the fees, rent a
cart and cruise the greens..heck I guess you could even play a few holes
(a strategy high recommended to me by several golfers this morning).
The flycatcher appeared to be a female with warn tail feathers or maybe
a 1st spring/summer bird ( tail feathers were relatively short and the
bird was not as vibrant as most adult males). However, I had only brief
and distant looks and the bird was somewhat backlite.
I also talked with one of the grounds keepers who(after seeing a picture
in my field guide)told me he had seen the bird on Friday near the 4th hole.
A good find and certainly get-table if it hangs around (which they seldom do).
The Scissor-tailed was #285 on my VA Big Year List (for anyone interested).
Good Birding,
Mike Boatwright
Amherst, VA
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