Belated report for Sunday, April 3, 2005 (Once again
having posting problems to VA-Bird.)
After an almost all day rain event on Saturday, Gordy
Adamski and I headed to Southside, Great Dismal Swamp, and
Hog Island on Sunday.
Our first stop was Piney Grove off Rt. 460 just south of
Waverly. Best spot was along and near the open
intersection along grassy areas in front of outdoor dog
kennel.
Highlights at Piney Grove included:
Prothonotary Warbler - 1
Black and White Warbler - 1
Common Yellowthroat - 1 female
Pine Warbler - 7+
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1
Chipping Sparrow - 10+
Brown Creeper - 1
We arrived at Great Dismal Swamp by 11 a.m. and wind had
picked up substantially. Although it was mostly sunny and
about 51 degrees the swamp was devoid of any sounds except
the occasional squeak or moan of bending trees in the wind
or plop of turtle hitting the water. Only one butterfly,
a Zebra Swallowtail, flitted low along Jerricho Ditch
Road. Flying overhead were several Turkey Vulture and one
unidentified buteo-like raptor. A few times we heard what
sounded like a chip of a bird, all deep within the thick
underbrush. Highlight were the reptiles taking advantage
of every available spot of warming sunshine. Driving back
down Jericho Ditch Road stretched out across the narrow
graveled road. was a "black" snake basking in the sun.
Slowly approaching, the snake did not budge and because
there was no way to safely go around it, we stopped,
exited the vehicle and slowly walked toward the snake
which by now we determined was in a lethargic stupor. It
was striking in appearance basking in the bright sunshine,
a good three footer, and while I snapped a few photographs
Gordy used a long stick to gently nudge the back end of
the snake but got no response, not even a tongue flick.
He then moved the stick toward the center and gently
nudged the snake on its side. The snake at last
acknowledged our presence by coiling back its head and
flicking its tongue but it would not move! It was not
until Gordy positioned the stick near the snakes' head it
finally moved off the road, very slowly I might add.
Thanks to Robert Ake who helped in identifying from
pictures, a BLACK RAT SNAKE.
From Great Dismal we cut across to head north on Rt. 10
to Hog Island arriving by 3 p.m. where we registered and
vehicle was searched. In the open, unsheltered areas the
strong westerly wind made it difficult at times to open
the van door and with windows rolled down we had to make
sure smaller items were battened down to keep from blowing
out.
Inside Hog Island WMA there was a good showing of OSPREY,
many going about the business of nest building with some
structures containing Osprey already incubating. Across
from the observation deck and a hatch-year GREAT HORNED
OWL was hunkered down in an old Osprey nest. There's
possibly a second owl that was further down in the nest.
There was a good showing of BONAPARTE'S GULL (200+), most
in basic plumage and small handful in mostly alternate
plumage, feeding and resting over the impoundments. Also
noted were swirling flocks of TREE SWALLOW, my season's
first BARN SWALLOW (2), ROYAL and FORSTER'S TERNS. Two
Muskrat were observed; one was actively feeding and one
appeared to be snoozing atop a wooden platform
WORD OF CAUTION: If you take your camera equipment, be
sure to NOT take photographs of the nuclear power plant
and its facilities. Upon entering all traffic is routed
to Dominion Power's security gate where you must produce
driver's license or a valid picture ID and vehicle is
searched. My camera was in plain view resting on top of
center console but we were not questioned about it or
other optical equipment also in plain view (spotting
scopes and binoculars). On departing the refuge, we
stopped along the causeway to photograph, from within the
vehicle, several close-up Osprey. (There are no signs
stating you can not stop on bridge.) Upon exiting, which
has now been diverted back to the security gate, the
security personnel questioned us about taking photographs.
Yep, we were being watched! I assured him I had been
photographing the close-up Osprey and not the power plant
and pulled up the digital images of the Osprey with
nothing but the blue background of the sky and NO portions
of power plant. We were NOT told we could not stop on the
causeway. They just do not want you taking photographs of
the plant!
WILD TURKEY were in abundance during our journey,
including one large group of at least 7 crossing the road
on western border of Surry County. A stop at Sunken
Meadows along Rt. 624 in Surry County yielded three MUTE
SWAN, including one on a nest, two BALD EAGLE and several
Osprey.
Links to few pics of the day:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/Osprey3_link.htm
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/BlackRatSnake_link.htm
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/image_links/GreatHornedOwl-6_link.htm
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
Leave behind what you find; if you must take something,
take pictures.
Photo journal including Birds of Virginia:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com ;
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