[va-richmond-general] Re: James River Park Wetlands, Richmond

  • From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:08:01 -0400

Yesterday there were 2 phoebes cavorting near the bridge over Pleasants
Creek (and one in the Pony Pasture parking lot), and a barred owl keeping
watch in the usual spot to the right as you approach the creek and nest
hole.  A red-shouldered hawk flew up out of the grass with a large frog
between the bittern pool and the pond, and I got a great look at another
pine warbler.  No sign of great horned owl, so hopefully they are
successfully nesting this year.  This morning there was a barred owl above
the trail and another to the right.  Not sure if this means the nest failed
or if they have not gotten started yet, but for awhile one of them was
spending a lot of time in the hole and calling to the other one as dusk
approached.  On 3/18 Ron's photo showed the hole looking empty and I don't
know that an owl has been seen in there since.   I did think the nest failed
in that hole one year (2005?), but if memory serves there was a fledgling at
that location later in the spring.  Seems awfully cold this morning for the
young to be left to themselves.  Yesterday there was a female hooded merg at
Riverside and Stratford, but she did not stay long and no sign of her today.
Few grebes seen, and the buffleheads that remain are all hanging out in the
quiet water below the dead trees as the river runs high and fast with all
the recent rain.  Both kingfishers were flying in circles above the
suspected burrows yesterday-only the male was seen this morning.  A Coopers
hawk soared above the location of the old nest, but not sure if there is a
new net around this year.  One was in those woods also during the winter
count. 

 

Jan 

Richmond    

 

  _____  

From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rachel Echols
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 11:37 PM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-richmond-general] James River Park Wetlands, Richmond

 

Today, Thursday, I visited the James River Park Wetlands for about an hour
right after lunch.  Notable birds were a juvenile red-shouldered hawk, a
common yellowthroat singing, and a barred owl, calling loudly and perched in
view for any observant birder to see.

 

Rachel Echols

Chester, VA

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