VA BIRDers,
As I meandered on the way home today, I found another access point into the
No. VA Regional Park area along the Bull Run, north and west of Hemlock
Overlook Park near Clifton. This area is accessed along Polecat Creek in the
(upscale) Balmoral Forest area off of Compton Rd. There is a trailhead along
Balmoral (Greene) Ave in the development at the bottom of a slight dip where
the road crosses the Creek. Park on the road and take the marked trail south
and west towards the Bull Run River.
I had just a short time to enjoy this trail starting near 1000 and walking
about 0.6 miles to the RR tracks, where I turned back. I hope to revisit
this area as it has additionaly trails and appears to give access to a
portion of the Regional Park between Hemlock Overlook RP and the trailhead
near Rt 28 which otherwise is a bit distant for a short hike and will report
those results appropriately.
Highlights during the brief vist today were Red-shouldered Hawks, many
Acadian Flycatchers, White-eyed Vireo near the RR tracks, Yellow-throated
Vireo, several Wood Thrush, several No. Parulas, Pine Warblers, Worm-eating
Warbler, Ovenbirds, Kentucky Warbler (one in the moist bottomlands along the
creek), Summer Tanager near the river and tracks, Scarlet Tanagers and
Baltimore Oriole. Curiously, YB Cuckoo was missed, again. The Summer
Tanager was near the same location that I observed this species last year.
After visiting this area, I was home-bound with a stop in the Lorton area
just after noon. In addition to the flying vultures and Red-shouldered and
Red-tailed Hawks found throughout the area, I came across a singing
Grasshopper Sparrow along Silverbrooke Road just a bit north of the old max
pennitentiary. I suspect an early morning visit will be more profitable to
fully understand the bird diversity in this area.
Kurt Gaskill
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