Area I covered No.VA ADC map areas 1, 2, and 3 and Algonkian Regional Park in
Loudoun County, i.e., the stretch of the Potomac River from Algonkian down to
the American Legion Bridge. Since we comprised a single team, we
concentrated our efforts in the three major parks--Riverbend, Great Falls,
and Algonkian. Most inland ponds and lakes in the area were frozen.
Our team, Kathy Dismukes, Deblyn Flack, Katherine Wychulis and I, trudged
through the deep snow along the Potomac banks, braved the early morning
bitter cold, and remained enthusiastic during our seven hours out in the
field. At Riverbend and Great Falls Parks, we were joined by an excellent
British birder who was first to spot some of the rarer sightings.
All species observed were in and/or over the Potomac River and are thus
Maryland sightings, except for three of the four Kingfishers. It is highly
unlikely that many, if any, of the birds we observed would have been visible
from the Maryland side of the Potomac.
Here is the list. The numbers preceding the species' names are quantity
seen. The numbers after the species designate location--1-Riverbend, 2-Great
Falls, 3-Algonkian.
l Pied-billed Grebe 2
498 Canada Goose 1,2,3
2 Tundra Swan 1,3
29 Gadwall 1,2,3
5 American Wigeon 1,2
18 American Black Duck 1,2,3
61 Mallard 1,2,3
1 Black/Mallard Hybrid
3 REDHEAD 2 (all male)
323 Ring-necked Duck 1,2
25 Bufflehead 1,2 3
63 Hooded Merganser 3
21 Common Merganser 1,3
1 Bald Eagle 1
4 American Coot 1
4 Kingfisher 1, 2, 3
We also observed a few common gull species, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered
Hawks, Pileated Woodpeckers, and a good variety of songbirds.
A second or a third team would have provided a much larger count since I
understand there is now an official public path along the river from
Riverbend Park north up to the Northern Virginia Regional Parkland accessed
from Senaca Rd. in Great Falls.
Ralph Wall
Great Falls, VA
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