Mid-summer birding has arrived at the Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk,
bringing higher temperatures and humidity. But even as the comfort level may
disappear, the bird count remains good. Today's 16 birders tallied 47 species.
Despite last week's heavy rainfall, the central wetland was noticeably drying
up. Possibly this is at least partially caused by the construction work
taking place on the southern edge of the central wetland. But whatever the
cause, less water means more mudflats, and that means more shorebirds. No
record of these species was set this morning, but a couple of Spotted
Sandpipers and at least one Killdeer could presage a growing population of
these birds as they begin their summer treks south. A Yellow-throated Vireo
spotted on the way to the parking lot at the close of the walk was a nice
punctuation mark to a warm but delightful morning.
Canada Goose 2
Mallard 3
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Green Heron 5
Killdeer 1
Solitary Sandpiper 2
Mourning Dove 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Acadian Flycatcher 4
Eastern Phoebe 2
Eastern Kingbird 5
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 7
Tree Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 26
Carolina Chickadee 10
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Carolina Wren 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 50+
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
Common Yellowthroat 7
Prairie Warbler 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 40-50
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
House Finch 6
American Goldfinch 5
The Monday Morning Birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since
1985. It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7AM (8AM from November
through March), is free of charge, requires no reservation, and is open to all.
Birders meet in the parking lot at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd,
Alexandria, VA. Questions should be directed to Park staff during normal
business hours at (703)768-2525.
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
