A few sightings of interest from various parts of Augusta County this afternoon.
Red-shouldered Hawk on Shalom Rd near Heston Farm (not a common species out
here).
Mink along the stream by Springhill Mennonite Church. (probably more common
than we realize; rarely encountered).
Eastern Towhees, 2 males and 1 female on Lipscomb Rd near bridge over South
River.
1 Fox Sparrow, same place as towhees.
Canada Geese and 8 Gadwalls at Quillen's Pond.
1 lone female Hooded Merganser and Kingfisher at SDTP.
At least 18 and probably 25 Killdeer on Guthrie Rd. (No Horned Larks, pipits
or longspurs, sadly)
Silo on Middlebrook road was devoid of any Barn Owls.
13 Northern Shovelers, 10-12 American Coots & 1/2 dozen Ruddy Ducks on pond at
end of Bell'sLane.
One early (3:30 pm; it was overcast) Short-eared Owl flying over the pasture.
(Allen Larner has seen at least 4 in this area, usualy at dusk).
One very odd goose, most likely a Greater White-fronted and Canada Goose cross.
I could not pick out any convincing Cackling Geese among the hundreds of
Canada Geese feeding in the fields.
Of course the usual trash birds (starlings, pigeons) were about in numbers.
Quite a few White-crowned Sparrows winter in the rural areas near Stuarts
Draft. Of course scattered kestrels and Red-tailed Hawks were spotted.
Also, I was surprised by the number of house cats wandering the fields. I must
have seen a dozen, including one with a recently caught and still struggling
bird in its mouth. Couldn't identify the bird -- hope it was a House Sparrow.
I'll comment no more other than to mention the following
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/
John Spahr
