We had four birders for the monthly walk at Henricus - Dutch Gap today. I
speculate that the projected heat kept participation down, and the weather
lived up to predictions. It was a hot and sticky day, but still pretty birdy.
The entrance marsh was alive with Red-winged Blackbirds. Indigo buntings were
hard to see, but easy to hear. We had good looks at a Green Heron that popped
up. Though they aren’t as gaudy at this time of year, it was still good to see
a few Wood Ducks flush and make a circuit of the marsh.
Out on the bluff, Osprey were active along with a handful of Herring and
Laughing Gulls. A Black-and-white Warbler was a nice treat there, as were good
looks at an Eastern Phoebe. There was a quick visit from a female Summer
Tanager, as well as a calling Yellow-billed Cuckoo that coyly stayed out of
sight.
On the trails behind the Visitors Center, we were treated to what seemed to be
a family group of three Eastern Kingbirds. There was a brief but clear flyby
from a Red-shouldered Hawk. In the lagoon, we found a group of a dozen Great
Egrets. There were good looks at a White-eyed Vireo in the brush along the
trail, as well as a rather funny-looking Brown Thrasher that had molted its
head feathers. There was one flyover by an immature Bald Eagle. As we were
walking back out to the parking lot, we got a parting treat, good looks at a
Yellow Warbler.
Check out the Richmond Audubon Facebook page for a few photos.
Here’s the complete checklist:
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31079912 ;
<http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31079912>
—
Lewis Barnett
blbarnett3@xxxxxxxxx
