I surveyed the USGS Breeding Bird survey route
from Taylorstown to Oatlands though Waterford,
Paeonian Springs, and Leesburg this morning from
5:12 to 10:22. The observer counts the birds
observed in a 3 minute time period at each of 50
stops .5 mile apart. Because of traffic this
count must be run on a Sunday. Each year, more
of this route is developed with housing
developments, schools, and new roads. One of the
last patches of forest along the route (near
Banshee Reeks) has been partly replaced by houses
since last year and signs indicate that next year
that forest may be gone. This is one of the few
stops where I had ovenbird, wood thrush, and
red-eyed vireo.
Don't have time to report all the results here
since I am finishing up school commitments and
getting ready for my travels this summer.
The highlights were:
No Bob-whites! Sad Sad.
3 Bobolinks at Waterford Downs singing and
displaying in the long-grass fields.
1 red-headed woodpecker
1 Blue Grosbeak
1 willow flycatcher
4 prairie warblers
3 yellow warblers
1 louisiana waterthrush
no chats
2 warbling vireos
only 7 red-eyed vireos
kestrels at four locations, one spot had a parent
with two fledglings
fewer than usual grasshopper sparrows (8) and
gnatcatchers (2)
more than usual meadowlarks and catbirds
no tangers
several orioles (both species), indigo buntings
and waxwings
8 wood thrush
If I get a chance I will send the totals and
total number stops each species was found at.
All the best
Fred
Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood@xxxxxxxxx
Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124
703-242-1675
http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood
http://www.flinthill.org
http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html
