A friend and I went to check out the post-migration birds in a couple of
places in Fauquier Co. today. We started at upper Thompson about 10:30.
Lots of birds, but also lots of leaves, so more were heard than seen. Even
Hooded Warbler. Lots of Ceruleans calling, but too many leaves to get a
really decent look. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo flew in and perched by the trail
with some food in its mouth, providing a nice view as well. In general,
there were lots of bird calls of all the usual suspects.
We then went back down Rt.55 to Markham and drove across Leeds Manor Rd.
stopping along the road to see what could be heard and seen. Lots of
Kingbirds and other normal stuff. We ended up at Sky Meadows Park for a
couple of hours at the end of the day. We walked down the service road from
the top into the walnut grove and within 5-minutes had excellent low views
of a male Scarlet Tanager, two male Baltimore Orioles, and extended views
of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo hopping around and calling in what seemed pretty
obviously to be his nest tree ( although, we did not find the nest).
Further down the service road were 6 to 8 Red-headed Woodpeckers busily
feeding chicks at three, or more, nest holes. Also lots of recently
fledged bluebirds, and several handsome and singing Eastern Meadow Larks.
All-in-all, a very nice day of birding, indeed. Additionally, earlier in
the afternoon we saw an Eastern Fox Squirrel crossing Leeds Manor Road, and
climbing the hill on the other side.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
