Hello, birders. I surveyed part of Sky Meadows today,
hiking from the Visitor Center to the Appalachian
Trail, including the South Ridge Trail. The forecast
was for rain and wind in the AM but it only showered
briefly in mid morning and it never got windy. In
fact, conditions were calm in the morning. By the
afternoon, the sun appeared. The temp. rose to 65 F
from 60 F.
Fox Sparrows are indeed on the move. I had about 20
of them, including 12 in one place on the South Ridge
Trail in the woods. I think I'm finally learning
their call, which is a little like a White-throateds.
Nearby were at least 50 Wh. throated Sparrows and
about 30 Song Sparrows. I also saw and heard Field,
Junco and Towhee.
A Ruffed Grouse was drumming near the North Ridge Tr.,
about 100 ft. north of the intersection with the So.
Ridge Tr. It drummed 3 times within a few minutes.
It wasn't far from the trail but the woods were too
dense to see in there well. I passed a hiker who said
he heard one farther up this trail. I don't know if
my bird was a different one or not.
I saw a Red-headed Woodpecker near the Snowden Ruins
along the SR Tr., which I believe is a first for that
particular location for me. I also heard my first
Phoebe of the season here. The other 6 species of
woodpeckers were also present today.
4 Wood Ducks flew overhead near the Gap Run Tr. pond.
Kestrel, R.t. Hawk and T. Vulture checked in. Winter
Wren and G.c. Kinglet, too (migrants?) Robins were
flying north and Meadowlarks were singing near the
Visitor Center.
I checked out a couple of ponds in the vicinity of
Harrison Rd. in northern Fauquier County to look for
unusual waterfowl. None were noted.
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
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