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15 Mar Re: Dearth of Carolina wrens at Huntley ["Paul Woodward" ] 14 Mar Dearth of Carolina wrens at Huntley ["Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup" ] 14 Mar Riverbend Park [] 14 Mar Common Raven - Prince George Co. 3-14 [] 14 Mar Tidewater today [] 14 Mar Horned Grebe at Riverbend Park [Rob Young ] 14 Mar Spring fun [] 14 Mar Re: Need help with bird ID [Maddog ] 14 Mar Pine warblers, siskins, purple finch [] 14 Mar California Gull First Landing State Park [Andrew Baldelli ] 14 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Chesapeake, Chesapeake County, VA, US , 3/14/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 14 Mar Dyke Marsh Field Trip, Frfx Co, 14 Mar 2010 ["Kurt Gaskill" ] 14 Mar fos grackle - forest, va [candi harris ] 14 Mar Black-chinned or Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Va Beach [Karen Kearney ] 14 Mar Re: Need help with bird ID [Tony Futcher ] 14 Mar FOY Louisiana Waterthrush - Great Dismal Swamp ["Robert Ake" ] 14 Mar Need help with bird ID [Nathan Cummings ] 14 Mar Signs of migration at Huntley, incl. PINE WARBLER (3/14) ["Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup" ] 14 Mar Kirtland's Warbler search, Wise County, 2010 [Ned Brinkley ] 14 Mar Birding Binoculars [Karen Brandt ] 14 Mar Occoquan Bay NWR, 3/14 ["MARC RIBAUDO" ] 13 Mar pectoral sandpiper, tree swallows, purple finches, rusty blackbirds, northern neck [Frederick Atwood ] 13 Mar Hog Island Field Trip [] 13 Mar Hog Island Field Trip [] 13 Mar Re: Kerr Reservoir 3/13 ["Janice Frye" ] 13 Mar Birds Seen Banshee Reeks & Dulles Wetlands (Loudoun Co) ["Joe Coleman" ] 13 Mar Kerr Reservoir 3/13 [Adam D'Onofrio ] 13 Mar 3 Merganser day [Mark Johnson ] 13 Mar Eastern Towhee in backyard [Deapesh Misra ] 12 Mar thrush songs [nicholas flanders ] 12 Mar hawks over Charlottesville [david shoch ] 12 Mar Eurasian Collared-Doves - Halifax Co. [Paul Glass ] 12 Mar Great Blue Heron Rookery in Augusta County ["Allen & Pat" ] 12 Mar Re: Eagle question [William Leigh ] 12 Mar Eagle question ["David R. Gibson" ] 12 Mar (no subject) ["David R. Gibson" ] 12 Mar Birding Highest Valley in VA - Burkes Garden ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 11 Mar Killdeer in Troutville ["Nancy Young" ] 11 Mar Fwd: Birth of Hummingbirds [] 11 Mar Occoquan Bay NWR ["Gizzarelli, Jason" ] 11 Mar Red Tailed Hawk courting behavior [Stephen Johnson ] 11 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Lake Drummond , 3/11/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 11 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Suffolk, Suffolk County, VA, US , 3/11/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 11 Mar Caspian Tern Norfolk / Virginia Beach [Andrew Baldelli ] 11 Mar Hopewell, James River [Barbara Houston ] 11 Mar Fwd: [va-richmond-general] MARCH 13 TRIP TO BELMEAD RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 10 [Wendy Ealding ] 11 Mar Bird Walk, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, (Loudoun Co), March 13 ["Joe Coleman" ] 11 Mar E. PHOEBE at Monticello Park ["Albright, Tom (USMS)" ] 10 Mar Mar 18, Thursday, 7PM, Dinner 5:30PM, Richmond Audubon Society MonthlyMeeting [Diane Jadlowski ] 10 Mar Mar 13, Sat, 11 AM Richmond City Heron Rookery Tour [Diane Jadlowski ] 10 Mar Ridgeway Park; Dismal Swamp report [nicholas flanders ] 10 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Canal Trail , 3/10/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 10 Mar Recent sightings in Halifax County - Bald Eagles, Snipes, American Woodcocks & American Bittern ["Jeffrey Blalock" ] 10 Mar Huntley Meadows - Rusty Blackbirds [] 10 Mar Barred Owl @ the Wetlands [Ron Benson ] 10 Mar Riverbend Park: Swans, Ducks [Donald Sweig ] 10 Mar CVWO First Landing State Park Songbird Banding Station [] 10 Mar Cooper's Hawks at College Creek Hawkwatch [] 10 Mar Snow Geese [jacob barkett ] 10 Mar migrating canada geese [crhuff55 ] 10 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Chesapeake, Chesapeake County, VA, US , 3/10/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 10 Mar Re: Leucistic or Kriders Red Tail Hawk [William Leigh ] 10 Mar Selasphorus hummer continues in Bon Air/Richmond ["Janice Frye" ] 10 Mar Canada Geese migrating (2) [David Bridge ] 10 Mar Voice: Greater Washington Area, March 9 (corrected) ["Joe Coleman" ] 10 Mar rockingham co. sunday birds ["Bill Benish & Robyn Puffenbarger" ] 10 Mar Re: Pine Siskin - Botetourt County ["Mary Ann Good" ] 09 Mar Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Canal Trail , 3/9/10 ["David R. Gibson" ] 9 Mar Pine Siskin - Botetourt County ["Nancy Young" ] 9 Mar Occoquan NWR, Woodbridge [Mike Webster ] 9 Mar Snow Geese near FPHS. [jacob barkett ] 9 Mar Canada and Snow Geese flocks [jacob barkett ] 09 Mar NVBC Chincoteague Trip Photos [] 9 Mar Black Headed Gull , Purple Sandpiper & Common Eider Norfolk [Andrew Baldelli ] 9 Mar Canada Geese migrating [David Bridge ] 9 Mar tundra swans over great falls, va [] Subject: Re: Dearth of Carolina wrens at Huntley From: "Paul Woodward" <grackling AT att.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:41:40 -0400 During winters with heavy snow Carolina Wrens suffer heavy mortality because their food supplies are covered and they don't have the option of moving since they maintain their territories throughout the year. Paul Woodward Fairfax City, VA grackling AT att.net ----- Original Message ----- From: Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup To: Va-Bird Cc: Mathews, Jim ; Jason Waanders ; nitpickers AT aol.com Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:33 PM Subject: [Va-bird] Dearth of Carolina wrens at Huntley As an addendum to my previous post, one of the more interesting pieces of data (to me) is negative data: I have not seen or heard a wren at Huntley in over 6 weeks. There doesn't seem to be a lack of them in suburban areas (such as my neighborhood), where feeders probably got most of the wrens through the snow. I'm guessing that in large natural areas, the resident populations have been knocked way back (mortality, or did they move out of the park?). Do others' observations support this hypothesis? It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the numbers to recover. Ben Jesup Alexandria ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Dearth of Carolina wrens at Huntley From: "Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup" <breep AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:33:40 -0400 As an addendum to my previous post, one of the more interesting pieces of data (to me) is negative data: I have not seen or heard a wren at Huntley in over 6 weeks. There doesn't seem to be a lack of them in suburban areas (such as my neighborhood), where feeders probably got most of the wrens through the snow. I'm guessing that in large natural areas, the resident populations have been knocked way back (mortality, or did they move out of the park?). Do others' observations support this hypothesis? It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the numbers to recover. Ben Jesup Alexandria _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Riverbend Park From: mnr2 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:12:12 -0400 The Great Falls National Park walk was cancelled due to the closure of the park. Our group of four adjourned to Riverbend Park where we identified 38 species. The number of great blues continue to rise. The new brush piles in the meadow were quite productive for sparrows. The Great Falls walk will meet next week in the visitors center courtyard at 8:00am. All are welcome. -- Marshall Rawson, McLean VA Canada Goose Mallard Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Common Merganser Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Turkey Vulture American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Blue Jay American Crow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird American Robin European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Eastern Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird House Finch _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Common Raven - Prince George Co. 3-14 From: <arun1bose AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:05:54 -0500 Hello Birders, I spent the middle part of the day birding east of Richmond. Not too much of note except for 2 COMMON RAVEN calling and flying over a borrow pit at the corner of Puddledock Rd. and the Vulcan Materials entrance. A few geese still lingering in the area including a few hundred Snow Geese seen from Turkey Island Rd flying around Curles Neck. Arun Bose Richmond _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Tidewater today From: Gwbirds37 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:34:44 EDT mostly sunny, in between rain going and coming. Bev Leeuwenburg and Jen Folts and I visited a variety of places - of special note: 1. EURASIAN WIGEON at 9am at Ridgway Park. 2.PAINTED BUNTING - female only - at feeders on Rouse Drive - long leisurely looks - at around 10:30 3. GANNETS from Island #1 - only a few - otherwise really, really dead. Two OYSTERCATCHERS and 1 male RED_BREASTED MERGANSER. 4. BRANT ( 4 ) at Bay28 St. mid-afternoon, but NO Black-headed Gull. Of note also from the park/beach at 4thSt. and Ocean View, there were MANY Gannets very close to shore. Gerry Weinberger Doswell _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Horned Grebe at Riverbend Park From: Rob Young <robnoblestar AT aim.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:40:37 -0400 The Potomac was in impressive flood at Riverbend, overflowing the banks considerably and flowing very fast. In the small area of relatively sheltered water on the MD side of the river a small collection of Bufflehead and Ring-necked Duck were joined by a Common Merganser, 6 Wood Duck, 5 American Wigeon and a single Horned Grebe. NOTE Great Falls was closed today. I understand the River will peak sometime tomorrow morning. Rob Young Alexandria,VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Spring fun From: JPMyers AT aol.com Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:30:46 EDT Was at Old Trail Golf Course (just west of Crozet) both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the pond harbored 2 tree swallows battling a bluebird pair for a nest box, along with 6 or so lesser scaup and 10 ring-necked ducks. Plus others (pied-billed grebe, ruddy duck). Then Sunday the swallows became 12 and the scaup were replaced by red-heads. Then when I checked out Jones Mill Road (just NE of Crozet) for the white-crowned sparrows (still there) I saw a flock of 60 killdeer. Biggest killdeer flock I've ever seen (and I did my dissertation on shorebirds... counted lots of them, over many years). This evening a flock of 200+ grackles descended upon local trees north of White Hall near my house, and another flock of 60+ robins practiced singing as the sun set. Not that the sun was visible given this weather. What a difference from 2 weeks ago. My sense is that field sparrows really got hammered by the February snow. They're gone. Completely. This time last year they were active and singing. This year I watched them feed from grass stalks above the snow, and then saw the local flock dwindle as the snow hung on. Any other observations? Not Virginia: I spent most of the week in Seattle contributing to a meeting on 'green chemistry,' which is my line of work. Managed to steal out of formal sessions to fill an egregious gap in my life list: cackling goose. The iphone app BirdsEye told me it was there, about 15 minutes from my hotel. I went, saw, and photographed. Here's the foto: http://cli.gs/00d7eZ Pete Myers White Hall VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Need help with bird ID From: Maddog <maddogobrien AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:30:53 -0400 Hi: Sure looks like one to me. At first blush I thought it was too small. I always considered Yellow-headed to be noticeably larger than Red-wingeds. But maybe I'm thinking breeding/flying males. (Tony thought it looked larger.) Thought they sort of had longer (or longer appearing) legs too, esp the lower half. This looks apparent in the 2nd photo; but the bird is also standing up with little knee bend here. Also thought bill was larger on Yellow-headed, but this varies I believe among the many field guides. Most authors state the sizes are relative to others on a given plate. I know Peterson consistently shows the Yellow-headed larger in his plates even though most authors list only 3/4 inch diff in the two. Female Boat tail has this pattern on throat area but is near twice the size. Color is a bit of a concern here as Red-wingeds can get pink or red tones where this bird's color is although the ones I have seen always have the striping all the way up from the belly to chin. This bird is clear here and looks yellow to me in blow-ups. Also, it is hanging out with other iterids which they do, esp away from other numbers of their kind. This bird also has the color up on the cheeks ala a yellow-headed. If you have the latest Smithsonian guide check out the pic of the female. Pretty much a dead match. If you have not done so enlarge the shot or open in a separate window or whatever it takes. Note that I do not think any of the guides with pix vice drawings do much of a consistent job in maintaining relatives sizes Mike OBrien Fairfield, Adams Count, PA On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 3:12 PM, Tony Futcher wrote: > Nathan, > > Sure looks like a female Yellow-headed Blackbird. > > I'd want to do more research before saying for sure, but in my recollection > from Grad school days (in the 60's) in S Calif., this looks like a real > possibility. Looks bigger than the RW blackbirds. Looks like the Nat Geo > picture, but I'm too rusty (NO, not Blackbird!) to be confident. > > Good birding, > > Tony Futcher > > > On 3/14/2010 3:00 PM, Nathan Cummings wrote: > >> We had a bird at our feeders in Loudoun County (near Banshee Reeks) >> several weeks ago that we have been unable to identify. Mixed in the flock >> of red-wing blackbirds and grackles was this bird with an orangish face and >> breast. See the photos in these links: >> >> >> http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563267897357362 >> >> >> http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563284412248994 >> >> >> http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563293761037330 >> >> Sorry for the quality of the photos. We took what we could through the >> windows. Any help identifying this bird would be greatly appreciated! >> >> Thanks, >> >> Nathan >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> va-bird mailing list >> http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird >> >> Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of >> Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. >> http://www.virginiabirds.net/ >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ >_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Pine warblers, siskins, purple finch From: bchevone AT vt.edu Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:21:45 -0400 This morning at my feeders at SML, I had two pine siskins, and three purple finches (2 females and 1 male). At Franklin County Park, 5-6 pine warblers were singing along with a very irratated B-H Nuthatch. B. Chevone Smith Mt Lake _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: California Gull First Landing State Park From: Andrew Baldelli <andrewbaldelli AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:34:11 -0700 (PDT) Today I found an Adult California Gull on the beach at First Landing SP. The bird was on the bay side east of the platform. I have photos of bird if anyone would like to see them. The bird flew west after the beach traffic became heavy , several people and I looked for the bird with no luck . If I can I will try and look for bird in am .   Cheers Andrew _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Chesapeake, Chesapeake County, VA, US , 3/14/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:57:55 -0500 (CDT) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Dyke Marsh Field Trip, Frfx Co, 14 Mar 2010 From: "Kurt Gaskill" <KurtCapt87 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:33:21 -0400 VA BIRDers, Larry Cartwright's Trip Report follows. Nobody joined me for today's Dyke Marsh walk, perhaps due to local flooding, so I did a little walkthrough by myself. Half of the Marina, much of the wooded area, and Haul Road south of the overlook that we refer to as Dead Beaver Beach were under water at high tide (8:27AM in Alexandria). It was a decent day anyway. I was surprised to find 4 American Pipits foraging beside a flooded depression along the river in the picnic area. Pine Warblers are on the move. One was observed in the company of Yellow-rumped Warblers along Haul Road. Nest construction by the Marina Osprey pair seems to have been temporarily suspended, perhaps due to the inclement weather. A Greater Scaup was with a small group of Lessers as seen from Dead Beaver Beach and a 2 Rusty Blackbirds were with Red-wings at the same location. Despite the periodic drizzle, many birds were in song, including 2 Winter Wrens. Big miss today was Great Blue Heron. Water was just too deep. Today's list: Canada Goose 90 Wood Duck 2 Mallard 19 Greater Scaup 1 (drake) Lesser Scaup 15 Common Merganser 6 (3 drakes, 3 hens) Red-breasted Merganser 2 (1 drake, 1 hen) Ruddy Duck 18 Double-crested Cormorant 8 Osprey 4 Bald Eagle 1 American Coot 1 Ring-billed Gull 120 Herring Gull 3 Great Black-backed Gull 5 Mourning Dove 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 6 Downy Woodpecker 5 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Blue Jay 11 American Crow 4 Fish Crow 7 crow sp 4 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 4 Brown Creeper 1 Carolina Wren 13 Winter Wren 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 American Robin 11 European Starling 15 American Pipit 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 1 Song Sparrow 9 Swamp Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 13 Northern Cardinal 13 Red-winged Blackbird 12 Rusty Blackbird 2 Common Grackle 3 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 5 Larry Cartwright prowarbler AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: fos grackle - forest, va From: candi harris <eidothea1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:03:08 -0700 (PDT) thought i heard something familiar, looked out and saw my fos grackle. also saw 3 red-bellied woodpeckers at one time. usually i only see them one at a time. looks like they've finally figured out how to use my squirrel-proof suet feeder. have the usual assortment too - chickadee, titmouse, carolina wren, junco, white-throated sparrow, crow, white breasted nuthatch, house finch. they seem to be pretty active today. candi MSN: eidothea1 --- AT WiseStamp Signature. Get it now _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Black-chinned or Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Va Beach From: Karen Kearney <birdingva AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:26:21 -0700 (PDT) Hello all- I just learned of a hummingbird feeder in Virginia Beach that has been hosting two hummingbirds since last November (Both birds were seen in the same field of view one time, but they feed separately). Today I took some photos of either one or both of the birds, and I've posted some of "Bird #1" at www.flickr.com/birdingva. I'll post "Bird #2 later. The birds are either Black-chinned or Ruby-throated.   The homeowners and I would be very interested in hearing your insights into which hummingbird these are. I'm leaning towards the Black-chinned but would appreciate the wisdom of those who might be more familiar with the differences.   If you would like to visit the beautiful home and yard of the nice people who are hosting these birds, please drop them an e-mail at harris.curtis AT verizon.net. They live in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach.   I'm looking forward to your responses!   Karen Kearney Chesapeake _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Need help with bird ID From: Tony Futcher <tonyfutcher1 AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:12:07 -0400 Nathan, Sure looks like a female Yellow-headed Blackbird. I'd want to do more research before saying for sure, but in my recollection from Grad school days (in the 60's) in S Calif., this looks like a real possibility. Looks bigger than the RW blackbirds. Looks like the Nat Geo picture, but I'm too rusty (NO, not Blackbird!) to be confident. Good birding, Tony Futcher On 3/14/2010 3:00 PM, Nathan Cummings wrote: > We had a bird at our feeders in Loudoun County (near Banshee Reeks) several weeks ago that we have been unable to identify. Mixed in the flock of red-wing blackbirds and grackles was this bird with an orangish face and breast. See the photos in these links: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563267897357362 > > http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563284412248994 > > http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563293761037330 > > Sorry for the quality of the photos. We took what we could through the windows. Any help identifying this bird would be greatly appreciated! > > Thanks, > > Nathan > > > > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: FOY Louisiana Waterthrush - Great Dismal Swamp From: "Robert Ake" <rake AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:08:50 -0400 Last night I had taken the weather forecast to heart and decided to stay home rather than fight the rain. However, when I got up, it looked so good that I went to the Great Dismal Swamp. I chose the Washington Ditch entry and had a great walk. I was looking primarily for Rusty Blackbirds, but was also hoping for an early Louisiana Waterthrush. The Rusties didn't take long to put in an appearance. I heard a low murmering, then a few ascending notes, and finally a few of them got off the ground and flew up into the trees. All told there were probably a hundred, but not all in view at any one time. The other players included chickadees, titmice, both kinglets, several creepers, a couple of Blue-headed Vireos. Several groups of White-throated Sparrows, a few juncos, and a single Song Sparrow were the only sparrows. A few Winter Wrens, one singing, some singing Pine Warblers, and a singing Common Yellowthroat provided the song. The intersection of Washington and Lynn Ditches where there is a water control structure, is a point where I usually find Louisiana Waterthrushes in season. I passed it the first time without any waterthrush action. On my way back to the parking lot a bird flushed from the water control structure loudly chipping as it went. My first LA Waterthrush of the year. Robert L. Ake 6603 Catherine Street Norfolk VA 23505 I'm doing an ABA Big Year in 2010 - If you'd like to follow along, my blog is at http://bobsbirds.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Need help with bird ID From: Nathan Cummings <nynorsk1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:00:37 -0700 (PDT) We had a bird at our feeders in Loudoun County (near Banshee Reeks) several weeks ago that we have been unable to identify. Mixed in the flock of red-wing blackbirds and grackles was this bird with an orangish face and breast. See the photos in these links: http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563267897357362 http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563284412248994 http://picasaweb.google.com/111535026760612110712/MyPictures#5448563293761037330 Sorry for the quality of the photos. We took what we could through the windows. Any help identifying this bird would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Nathan _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Signs of migration at Huntley, incl. PINE WARBLER (3/14) From: "Pam Koger-Jesup and Ben Jesup" <breep AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:47:44 -0400 It was a little soggy, but nonetheless a nice morning along the Hike/Bike Trail this morning. The swelling of the maple buds around the wetland is beginning to be visible as a reddish highlight around the tree line, and a few small trees (willows?) have catkins that have burst, looking like scores of green worms draped from the branches. First of the season passerines for me included: Tree swallow 1 Phoebe 4 Pine warbler 1 (singing by the maintenance yard) Purple finch 1 female Also notable were the presence of sparrows in decent numbers and diversity since the snows. Towhee 3 Field 2 Fox 4 Swamp 4 Song 30 White-throated 17 Junco 10 If anything, these numbers are low for this time of year, but vastly more than have been around the last month or two. Has anyone checked out e-bird or Great Backyard Bird Count data to see if there is any evidence of sparrows or other species in larger than normal numbers farther south than usual? There was also decent diversity of waterfowl: Goose 4 Swan 42 flying east Wood duck 5 Gadwall 13 Mallard 6 Shoveler 15 Pintail 4 GW teal 1 Hooded 4 Other notables Yellow-rump 2 GC kinglet 3 Hermit thrush 1 Greater y-legs 1 Bring it on. Ben Jesup Alexandria, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Kirtland's Warbler search, Wise County, 2010 From: Ned Brinkley <23cahow AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:18:53 -0400 This a general post to gauge birders' interest in a coordinated search for migrant Kirtland's Warblers in Wise County, Virginia, in early May 2010. The idea of searching for Kirtland's Warbler in May in Wise County started with Dick Peake, who had success on several occasions, notably with a well-documented bird 7-9 May 1994 but also on other occasions in spring during May. The area around Wise Reservoir seemed to have habitats to support the species as migrants in the 1990s and probably still does. Though I'm sure birders still remain vigilant for the species each spring in southwestern Virginia, I don't know of many reports there in recent years. As most readers know, the population of Kirtland's has grown each year for multiple decades, and there has never been a better time to watch and listen for migrants. Though not always conspicuous birds, male Kirtland's Warblers sometimes sing loudly, and though some species of warbler can sound similar, even brief study of the song can alert birders to the presence of a migrant. If one draws a line from the wintering grounds in the Bahamas to nesting grounds in Michigan, the line will pass through southwestern Virginia. That does not mean that Kirtland's actually alight in the state, but probably hundreds pass through Virginia airspace in migration each year, and certainly some of these land in Virginia, especially during periods unfavorable for onward migration. Based on records of migrants from Florida to North Carolina - as well as records from Ohio through Ontario (etc.) - in spring, the first week of May seems like the best time to find a male Kirtland's, which arrive on average in mid-May in Michigan. This year, 7-9 May falls on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so this seems like a good time to concentrate searches. At this point, my intent is merely to keep a spreadsheet of people who might be interested in a coordinated search for Kirtland's Warbler during this window, by birding in southwestern Virginia, particularly Wise County, on that weekend. Apologies if there are many, many wonderful birding fundraisers, meetings, and field trips that weekend! That is probably the most intoxicating weekend to go birding in the state, at least for Neotropical migrants. But Kirtland's passage in Virginia probably peaks (no pun intended) that week, so it doesn't make sense to try to schedule around myriad other events. The game plan, should this Search actually come together, would be to link all participants together by cell phones - in particular, cell phones that are capable of receiving and sending text messages. Participants would subscribe to a free group, and if a bird of interest is found, they could send a single text that would then be distributed to everyone who has subscribed. There will be areas of the southwestern counties where cell towers' signals do not reach, so there may need to be some supplemental smoke signals as well. Right now, all I would like is a set of names (ideally, with email and relevant cell phone number) to maintain in a spreadsheet. As the time draws nearer, we could see where we are and decide how best (or whether) to proceed. To save my typing fingers, I will amass names etc. through 15 April, then check in with interested parties via a single email then. Ned Brinkley Cape Charles, Virginia_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Birding Binoculars From: Karen Brandt <llupine AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:41:17 -0700 (PDT) Hello, I am planning to buy a new pair of binoculars and am wondering if any of you have recommendations. I am looking for very light weight since I do alot of backpacking. I'm considering the following pair: http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/nikon-monarch-atb-8x42-binoculars.html.   Any thoughts or suggestions of what criteria to consider? Especially concerning weight vs quality. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.   Good birding! Karen _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Occoquan Bay NWR, 3/14 From: "MARC RIBAUDO" <moribaudo AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:49:20 -0400 The Northern Virginia Bird Club trip to Occoquan Bay NWR was a washout this morning, as no one ventured out in the rain, but since I was there, I did a little birding until a harder, more steady rain made me decide to call it quits. Both Easy Road and the Wildlife Drive (Charlie Rd) were flooded, limiting where I could go. I did not make it down to the river. Notable sightings included at least 8 ospreys (3 pairs working on nests), the great horned owl on the old osprey nest, a rusty blackbird along the wildlife drive at the marsh, and 2 tree swallows. Of non-avian interest was a coyote running across the field behind the pond next to the parking lot. Marc Ribaudo Woodbridge_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: pectoral sandpiper, tree swallows, purple finches, rusty blackbirds, northern neck From: Frederick Atwood <fredatwood AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:44:00 -0800 (PST) Today I skipped King George County and went straight to Leedstown in Westmoreland Co to see if the Eurasian Wigeons were still there. They weren't (I checked 4 times). However, while searching for snipe (7) and counting killdeer (54) in Leedstown I found my first Pectoral Sandpiper of the year in a farm field near the corner of Layton Landing Rd and Horners Mill Rd.  From Leedstown I made a quick stop at the end of 624 looking out into the dense fog of the Potomac where visibility was only about 100 feet, so I was only able to see a few buffleheads and a horned grebe.  So I went back to the sunny Rappahannock side and went down 624 to Richmond County stopping at Singerly pond, Fones Cliffs (Carters Wharf), and Mulberry island(private). I was happy to see 6 tree swallows all day and was then surprised by a flock of about 115 flying south right over my head along the river at Mulberry I, just after sunset. They must have been heading for a roost somewhere. At Mulberry I found 10 more snipe.  It was a good eagle-day along the Rappahannock: 28 adults (several on nests), and 48 immatures, for a total of 76 (mostly found by scanning with the scope). A couple Great Black-backed Gulls in Leedstown were further upriver than normal. Since last week in Leedstown there was a dramatic decline in Canada Geese (only 9, where there had been over 1300), Mallards (16 where there had been 230), Shovelers (0), Am wigeon (4, last week 40), and Pintail (5, last week 80) but there was a big increase of green-winged teal (145, last week only 2) and there were still plenty of tundra swans (170) bugling in Drakes marsh and another 16 in a farm field. Other highlights included 2 purple finches (including a bright male singing exuberantly as the sun broke through the clouds), a lesser yellowlegs, and a coot in Leedstown, several singing field sparrows (wonderfully cheery during the dreary cloudy morning), a singing chipping sparrow, 4 singing brown thrashers, 5 harriers (no adult males), a few pipits, several pairs of horned larks,  4 rusty blackbirds (3 in Leedstown and 1 at Mulberry) and 8 cedar waxwings which have been unusually scarce around here this winter. Strangely, I found no accipiters, goldfinches, brown creepers, kinglets, hermit thrushes, turkeys, bobwhites, nuthatches, sapsuckers, or juncos, and only a handful each of yellow-rumped warblers, white-throats, white-crowneds, swamp sparrows, and song sparrows.   I also saw an otter, a red fox and several deer and rabbits. A few red-bellied turtles and many painted turtles were out sunning themselves, and I heard a few groups of chorus frogs, many loud groups of spring peepers, lots of leopard frogs, and 2  american toads.   All the best, I hope you have a great week, Fred  Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood AT yahoo.com Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124 703-242-1675 http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood http://www.flinthill.org http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hog Island Field Trip From: Youkerd AT aol.com Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:21:56 EST Members of the Hampton Roads Bird Club visited Hog Island WMA today and tallied 70 species. The forecast was for wind and rain, but it was a beautiful day with early clouds giving way to sunshine. The highlights of the day were a nice flyby of an American Bittern, five sparrows, three wrens, both kinglets, and good looks at some baby Bald Eagles. Complete list of species below. Dave Youker HRBC --------------------------------------- Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant American Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Turkey Vulture Canada Goose Tundra Swan Gadwall American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Northern Shoveler Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Scaup (sp) Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Osprey Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Clapper Rail American Coot Killdeer Greater Yellowlegs Bonaparte's Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Tree Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Brown-headed Nuthatch Carolina Wren Winter Wren Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird American Robin Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hog Island Field Trip From: Youkerd AT aol.com Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:21:56 EST Members of the Hampton Roads Bird Club visited Hog Island WMA today and tallied 70 species. The forecast was for wind and rain, but it was a beautiful day with early clouds giving way to sunshine. The highlights of the day were a nice flyby of an American Bittern, five sparrows, three wrens, both kinglets, and good looks at some baby Bald Eagles. Complete list of species below. Dave Youker HRBC --------------------------------------- Pied-billed Grebe Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant American Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Egret Turkey Vulture Canada Goose Tundra Swan Gadwall American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Northern Shoveler Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Scaup (sp) Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Osprey Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Clapper Rail American Coot Killdeer Greater Yellowlegs Bonaparte's Gull Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Mourning Dove Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Tree Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Brown-headed Nuthatch Carolina Wren Winter Wren Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Eastern Bluebird American Robin Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Field Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Kerr Reservoir 3/13 From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:23:12 -0500 A quick visit to the marsh at Dutch Gap yielded lots of ring necks, a few Am. Wigeon, one male wood duck far in the back, shovelers, and the great horned on the RSHA nest above Henricus. She looks annoyed and restless, so I guess they have hatched? I had about 3 minutes of drizzle near exit 53 on I-85, but no other rain on the trip home. Thanks for a great day you two! Jan Richmond _____ From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com] On Behalf Of Adam D'Onofrio Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 5:48 PM To: Virginia Birds Subject: [Va-bird] Kerr Reservoir 3/13 Tina Trice, Jan Frye and myself birded around Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg County today. The water level around the lake has receded somewhat and the clarity of the water is better than it was earlier this winter. New birds in the area included a pair of OSPREY and at least 1 TREE SWALLOW. Other than that, there were more COMMON LOONS and HORNED GREBES around compared to my last visit. The grebes were in various stages of molt. A distant group of SCAUP, most likely Lessers were on the main lake. Gulls included the continuing adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 first cycle GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a nice showing of HERRING GULLS. Definitely more BONAPARTE'S GULLS around than have been there all winter. Elsewhere, we struck out on the Loggerhead Shrikes that have been frequenting a farm on Rt. 713. There was a huge group of RING-NECKED DUCKS in the marsh on route 1 near Lake Gaston, numbering over 1000 birds. Ducks at Dick Cross WMA included a small group of Ring-necked Ducks at the wetlands behind the dog kennels and several HOODED MERGANSERS at Clyde's Pond. Turned out to be a beautiful day with no sign of the rainy weather plaguing areas to the north. Good birding. Adam D'Onofrio Dinwiddie Co. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Birds Seen Banshee Reeks & Dulles Wetlands (Loudoun Co) From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:15:08 -0500 While it is the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's policy to hold its bird walks, rain or shine unless it is dangerous, we don't expect a lot of people to show up when the weather is bad - this morning I was the only person to show up for the regular monthly (2nd Sat.) bird walk at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. While it was pretty slow at first when the hard rain changed to a mist about 8:40 am the birds became much more active and the birding much more enjoyable. The highlights of the 34 species at Banshee (see complete list below) were my FOS EASTERN PHOEBE, great looks at a couple of BROWN CREEPERS, single RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and a couple of FOX SPARROWS, all of which came in very close and let me have long, extended looks at them. After Banshee Reeks I went over to the nearby Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project where the highlights included 13 TUNDRA SWANS coming out of the fog & drizzle to land on the water, lots of ducks including several GADWALL, a PIED-BILLED GREBE, an AMERICAN COOT, and a calling BARRED OWL. While I was disappointed to not see the Bald Eagle on the nest, prob. because it was well hunkered down to keep the eggs warm, there was a NORTHERN HARRIER. In all there were 46 species, not bad for a very damp morning. Good birding! Joe Coleman, near Bluemont, Loudoun Co Location: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve - MFF08 Observation date: 3/13/10 Notes: On this very wet morning only one person showed up for the regular monthly bird walk at Banshee. When the hard rain changed to a mist about 8:40 am the birds became much more active. Number of species: 34 Canada Goose X Wood Duck 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern) 1 Mourning Dove 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Pileated Woodpecker 3 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 8 American Crow 7 Fish Crow 9 Carolina Chickadee 5 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Brown Creeper 2 Carolina Wren 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Eastern Bluebird 4 American Robin 40 Northern Mockingbird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2 Eastern Towhee 1 Field Sparrow 1 Fox Sparrow (Red) 2 Song Sparrow 8 White-throated Sparrow 12 Dark-eyed Junco 6 Northern Cardinal 5 American Goldfinch X Location: Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project Observation date: 3/13/10 Number of species: 26 Tundra Swan 13 Gadwall 8 American Wigeon 2 Mallard 16 Green-winged Teal 1 Ring-necked Duck 32 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 American Coot 1 Killdeer 1 Barred Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 3 American Crow 6 Fish Crow 4 Carolina Chickadee 2 Eastern Bluebird 2 American Robin 4 Song Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 3 Red-winged Blackbird 20 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 American Goldfinch X These reports were generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Kerr Reservoir 3/13 From: Adam D'Onofrio <bigadfromlb AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:48:25 +0000 (UTC) Tina Trice, Jan Frye and myself birded around Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg County today. The water level around the lake has receded somewhat and the clarity of the water is better than it was earlier this winter. New birds in the area included a pair of OSPREY and at least 1 TREE SWALLOW. Other than that, there were more COMMON LOONS and HORNED GREBES around compared to my last visit. The grebes were in various stages of molt. A distant group of SCAUP, most likely Lessers were on the main lake. Gulls included the continuing adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 first cycle GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS and a nice showing of HERRING GULLS. Definitely more BONAPARTE'S GULLS around than have been there all winter. Elsewhere, we struck out on the Loggerhead Shrikes that have been frequenting a farm on Rt. 713. There was a huge group of RING-NECKED DUCKS in the marsh on route 1 near Lake Gaston, numbering over 1000 birds. Ducks at Dick Cross WMA included a small group of Ring-necked Ducks at the wetlands behind the dog kennels and several HOODED MERGANSERS at Clyde's Pond. Turned out to be a beautiful day with no sign of the rainy weather plaguing areas to the north. Good birding. Adam D'Onofrio Dinwiddie Co. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: 3 Merganser day From: Mark Johnson <birdmanj AT deconnex.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:20:08 -0500 Hello everyone, I went to the Amherst lakes this morning 3-13-10 to see what was there. At MCL I saw: Red-breasted Merganser- 12 M Common Merganser- 2M 2F Hooded Merganser- 3M &F Scaup- 2 Doz. couldn't ID species Ring-necked Duck- 3 Doz. Bufflehead- many This was the first time I have gotten all 3 species of Merg. at the lake at 1 time. Awesome The other 2 lakes had nothing. Mark Johnson Mad. Hgts, Va._______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Eastern Towhee in backyard From: Deapesh Misra <deapesh AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:19:55 -0800 (PST) Hi, Woke up to the usual mix of various bird songs today. We were soon rewarded with the sighting and the song of the Eastern Towhee in our backyard. The song prompted me to really go have a cup of tea ! -Deapesh Fairfax, VA. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: thrush songs From: nicholas flanders <flicknanders AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:51:33 -0500 Lee Bristow just told me about this website he had found, and I had to share here. In the spirit of spring, Take a listen: http://www.math.sunysb.edu/~tony/birds/music/intro.html Nick Flanders. Newport News. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_2 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: hawks over Charlottesville From: david shoch <dshoch AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:25:24 +0000 Va-birders, Several posters have already sounded the call that the spring hawk migration is underway, no less so here in downtown Charlottesville. Sharp-shins have been steadily moving through in 1s and 2s over the past week. Our best day was last Sunday (likely because we had more time to spend watching), when we tallied over ~4 hours: Bald Eagle - 1 juv Sharp-shinned Hawk - 7 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Accipiter sp - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 2 Merlin -1 Raptor sp - 1 Two days ago we had a fantastic dogfight over the house, with an apparent migrant Sharp-shin taking a few shots at the resident Merlin (that's put in several appearances over the course of the winter). I've posted a composite of the action at the link below, though of course still shots don't do it justice http://shoch.smugmug.com/Other/Virginia-birds/11309300_MVjRg#808640151_ib5aV Good birding David and Elizabeth Shoch _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_3 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Eurasian Collared-Doves - Halifax Co. From: Paul Glass <Pag AT GCRCompany.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:12:00 -0500 After being rarely seen over the winter, the pair of Eurasian Collared-Doves have been seen 4 out of the 5 afternoons this week in their usual location along Seymour Dr. in South Boston. Paul Glass South Boston, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Great Blue Heron Rookery in Augusta County From: "Allen & Pat" <larnersky AT mindspring.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:55:06 -0500 Hello all Yesterday I ventured out & about places in Augusta County to look for any waterfowl that may have dropped in . In my travels I decided to venture out in the Frank Mills area where in the past a Great Blue Heron Rookery was found along the river . In 2007 high winds destroyed the rookery . Last year as I traveled thru Franks Mill I noticed in a tree what looked like nests but no Herons . I never have given up on this spot so yesterday I went looking . I found up to 10 nests & 8 Great Blues tending 6 of the nests . While 2 of the nests had 2 birds & 4 of the nests had single birds . Finding this place --take Rt. 250 W towards Churchville when you come to Jake's Flat . Jakes Store is on your left You will turn right onto Franks Mill Rd. go to the first bend in the road about a mile or less & look left into the tree lines . This road is traveled with Dump trucks & cars ( they go thru this area at full speed & the pull off is limited ) . The other place is on Sangers Lane & so far it is not active . Allen Larner Staunton_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Eagle question From: William Leigh <leightern AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:24:29 +0000 Dave, Sometimes at great distances if the lighting isn't best the White on the head might not be visible. Usually if the tail is all white the head should be as well.... I believe. Some 4 year old BE have either a dark terminal or subterminal band. I don't have any reference books with me but I believe that is the case. best William Leigh leightern AT msn.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:47:20 -0600 From: davidrhorer AT verizon.net To: va-bird AT listserve.com Subject: [Va-bird] Eagle question I observed an Eagle at Lake Drummond yesterday. I saw it from a distance. At first it looked like a GBH, but the profile was different. Then I observed a white tail. However I couldn't make out a white head. Might it have been a juv. bird? Thanks, Dave Gibson, Chesapeake _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Eagle question From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:47:20 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: (no subject) From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:30:22 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Birding Highest Valley in VA - Burkes Garden From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:10:45 -0500 On Wednesday, March 5, I along with 3 other birders from the Buchanan County Bird Club birded Burkes Garden in Tazewell County, the highest valley in VA at 3100 ft. The valley got some of the deepest snowfall for the area recently with drifts 8 and 9 feet high. There was still plenty of snow there (see photo link). In spite of a forecast for rain showers we were lucky and had only a few spinkles throughout the day and moderate temperatures. We were hoping for a Golden Eagle or Rough-legged Hawk, but evidently they have moved on northward because we never found either. We did see the Bald Eagle on its nest there. The pair of eagles were observed building the nest in December. It is only the second Bald Eagle's nest reported in extreme Southwest VA with the first being found on South Holston lake in 2009. The day turned out to be a great day of birding. We logged 47 species, which surprised us all since most of the spring migrants haven't gotten to our area yet. The highlight of the day was a Peregrine Falcon that late in the day flew across the roadway then perched in a distant tree, where we were able to see it with the use of the spotting scope. We had just run into another BCBC member and fortunately, he got to see it too. We also found our first Tree Swallow for this year. It was spotted as it swooped and turned in the distance. In a pasture that was mostly clear of snow we found 7 Rusty Blackbirds among some Starlings and Robins. Four Wilson's Snipes were feeding in a small marshy area along with a couple of Mallards. We had hoped to see the Barred Owl that we had discovered there the previous Sunday, but it was not to be found. We were lucky to see one after dark as we drove up and out of The Garden. Birds were not the only creatures on the move. We saw 3 or 4 raccoons, not as many as the 12 or 13 we had seen there the previous Sunday, but like the ones on Sunday they looked like they may have had a hard time of it with all of the deep snow. They lookd gaunt and unkempt. Other mammals we spotted were 3 skunks, a red fox, a muskrat, a ground hog and many deer. At one point 14 deer were feeding together in a field. Here is a link to several photos I took throughout the day. http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/burkes_garden_mar2010 Following is the day's complete list. Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County 47 species Canada Geese 43 Green-winged Teal 21 Black Duck 15 Mallard 30 Wood Duck 1 Hooded Merganser 2 Great Blue Heron 1 Belted Kingfisher 3 Wilson's Snipe 4 Bald Eagle 1 (on nest) Red-tailed Hawk 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 American Kestrel 3 Barred Owl 1 Turkey Vulture 72 Black Vulture 2 American Crow 17 Common Raven 5 Blue Jay 6 Downy Woodpecker 3 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Carolina Chickadee 1 Dark-eyed Junco 2 Eastern Bluebird 15 Eastern Meadowlark 42 Eastern Phoebe 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1500 Rusty Blackbird 7 Common Grackle 19 European Starling 800 American Goldfinch 7 American Robin 77 Horned Lark 40 House Finch 1 House Sparrow 47 Killdeer 7 Mourning Dove 5 Northern Cardinal 1 Rock Pigeon 44 Song Sparrow 20 Tree Swallow 1 (1st of the season) White-breasted Nuthatch 1_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Killdeer in Troutville From: "Nancy Young" <nanjyoung AT juno.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:29:47 -0500 I observed a Killdeer flying and calling at Troutville Elementary School today. Killdeer used to be common near the school, perching on the buildings or feeding around the puddles in the nearby pasture. But in the last several years I had not heard or seen them and often wondered what happened. Perhaps it has been too dry? Nancy Young Botetourt County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: Birth of Hummingbirds From: KarenNyere AT aol.com Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:24:43 EST I know they are Allen's, but the process is pretty universal , so I think VA birders would love to look at these pix that were sent to me by a friend. Enjoy! Karen Nyere Alexandria, VA The Birth of Hummingbirds... Keep in mind the egg is smaller than a tic tac and a quarter fits the opening of the nest! This is truly amazing. Be sure to click on NEXT PAGE at the bottom of each page; there are 5 pages in all. A woman found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to fledgin the nest. It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share. http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Occoquan Bay NWR From: "Gizzarelli, Jason" <jgizzarelli AT CFTC.gov> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:16 -0500 Great day at Occoquan NWR - several pairs of Ospreys are back on their nests and raptors were in abundance as I saw - with the help of some fellow birders - mature and immature bald eagles, a kestrel. male northern harrier and right-tailed hawk. I also visited the Great Horned Owl's nest thanks to directions from Mike Webster and have posted just a couple of shots from today. I was surprised to see when I got home that there are 2 owlets in the nest. http://www.pbase.com/jasonjg/birds_2010 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Red Tailed Hawk courting behavior From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:38:26 -0500 If you're like me, the main thing you watch a flying hawk's claws for, is to see if it is carrying prey. Today, I learned to watch for something else too. I've been watching a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks for several months near my office in Chantilly (Fairfax County). They have been perching on, and near, a nest, and are seen circling in the area every day. Around 11 AM today I saw them circling again, but this time, one had its legs hanging down, not held up against its belly. I looked closely, but it was not carrying anything. The two hawks completed a circle then moved out of range of my window. The whole time, this one kept its legs hanging down. It looked really strange. After running to the nearest window on the adjoining side of my building, I saw one hawk perch in a tree, the other still hovering nearby, still holding its legs down below its belly. The one holding its legs down approached the one on the branch, and then "landed", so to speak. But he didn't land on the branch. I finally found out why he'd been flying around the other hawk with his legs down. My "local patch" pair of hawks mated, then the male perched beside the female, and after a couple of minutes the male, then the female, flew off. To add more assurance that spring is nigh, tonight in Oakton (Fairfax County) I saw a FOS bat. - Steve Johnson Fairfax, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Lake Drummond , 3/11/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:08:55 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Suffolk, Suffolk County, VA, US , 3/11/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:07:22 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Caspian Tern Norfolk / Virginia Beach From: Andrew Baldelli <andrewbaldelli AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:36:23 -0800 (PST) Today while doing a little sea watching from 85th st. in Virginia Beach a Caspian Tern flew by heading south . Large Flocks of Northern Gannets were feeding at 64th st In Virginia Beach , small numbers of Bonapartes and Laughing Gulls were mixed in with them. It was hard to get an exact count of Gannets , but i figured there were around 1500 birds .   Also of note I saw Tree Swallows moving along the beach today I counted 35 birds at 85th st. Virginia Beach.   Cheers Andrew _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hopewell, James River From: Barbara Houston <rinksyd AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:51:02 -0500 My office is at the end of Industrial Street in Hopewell and we get to watch the visitors along the river. We haven't seen much lately except for a bunch of cormorants that hang around the shallow water. The eagle activity has died off and we hadn't seen any ospreys. We had our first osprey pairs show up today. One of the pair already took up residence on the nest platform and has brought in a bunch of sticks and twigs. The other pair were flying along the embankment all afternoon searching for food and diving in the river. Also, there is an island 100-150 yards off the bank and there have been a large number of great blue herons hanging out in the trees. Monday, I counted 12 with the binoculars and all of them in the same tree. Today there looked to be 8-10. On the way home, there was a pair of immature bald eagles in the trees along the river on route 106 before you got the the Harrison Bridge. They were really close to the road and didn't appear to be phased by the traffic. Barbara _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: [va-richmond-general] MARCH 13 TRIP TO BELMEAD RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 10 From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:07:00 -0500 See below Wendy Ealding -----Original Message----- From: Wendy Ealding To: marlenecondon AT aol.com; myeley AT yahoo.com; dun42 AT co.henrico.va.us; albaker1 AT earthlink.net; ard1319 AT verizon.net; dianelep1 AT yahoo.com; betsyben AT juno.com; s.ridd AT att.net; gpnva4 AT verizon.net; va-bird AT listserve.com; va-richmond-general AT freelists.org Cc: sbsasante2 AT gmail.com; cyberspace AT richmondaudubon.org Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2010 4:59 pm Subject: [va-richmond-general] MARCH 13 TRIP TO BELMEAD RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 10 Due to the inclement weather forecast (rain, thunder) for Saturday, the field trip to Belmead on March 13 had been rescheduled for April 10. If you have already signed up for the trip, please acknowledge this e-mail so that I know you received it, and let me know if you will be coming on April 10. All other details (meeting at Powhatan Plaza at 7:45 AM, opportunity to tour the mansion afterwards) are unchanged. Bob and Art - can you please update the announcement on the RAS website accordingly. Wendy Ealding _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Bird Walk, Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, (Loudoun Co), March 13 From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:25:12 -0500 The regular (every 2nd Sat.) monthly bird walk at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in central Loudoun County will occur this Sat., March 13, meeting at 8:00 am at the Visitor Center/Manor House. Everyone is welcome at these free bird walks which are sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (www.loudounwildlife.org) and the Friends of Banshee Reeks (www.bansheereeks.org). We will hold the walk, rain or shine, unless it is dangerous but don't expect a lot of participants if the weather is lousy. Information and directions for Banshee Reeks, which is now open every weekends from 8 am to 4 pm, can be found at www.bansheereeks.org. Information on the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the many free walks and events it sponsors can be at www.loudounwildlife.org. Thanks, Joe Coleman 540-554-2542 or jcoleman AT loudounwildlife.org_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: E. PHOEBE at Monticello Park From: "Albright, Tom (USMS)" <Tom.Albright2 AT usdoj.gov> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:37:28 -0500 Active morning with our first Phoebe in the lower park canopy vocalizing with it chip note (3) DE Junco-- 2 singing on Kust property; one came in park near the "Slide" on the lower stream east ridge (1) WT SP -- singing on Kust (1) RT hawk -- immature on Kust (1) Cooper's Hawk -- chased RT hawk to Kust property _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Mar 18, Thursday, 7PM, Dinner 5:30PM, Richmond Audubon Society MonthlyMeeting From: Diane Jadlowski <djadski AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:06:20 -0500 Richmond Audubon Society Meeting March 18, 2010, Third Thursday at 7:00 PM Monthly Members Meeting and Pre-Meeting Dinner at 5:30 PM Rice Center for Environmental Education presented by Anne Wright. Anne Wright, VCU’s Life Science Outdoor Education Coordinator is known to many of us as an imaginative educator of children and adults. She will bring us up-to-date on the research and education taking place at VCU’s 340 acre Rice Center for Environmental Education. The site’s history includes use during the Colonial and Civil War periods and dates back to Native American use some 8,000 years ago. Location: St. Luke Lutheran Church 7757 Chippenham Parkway, at the Custis Rd. and Chippenham Parkway intersection. Refreshments are served afterwards. SEE: www.RichmondAudubon.org RAS MEMBERS MEETING MAPhttp://www.richmondaudubon.org/%20IG%20JOBS/RICHMOND%20AUDUBON/RIchmondAudubon/web-content/ChapterMeeting.html#anchormeetingmap Pre-meeting Dinner: Prior to each Members Meeting, doors open at 5:30 PM with plenty of food and fellowship. Please sign up in advance. Volunteer to bring your favorite dish. Members $5.00, NEW MEMBERS FREE! SEE: PRE-MEETING DINNER INFO Subject: Mar 13, Sat, 11 AM Richmond City Heron Rookery Tour From: Diane Jadlowski <djadski AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:27:13 -0500 March 13, Saturday at 11:00 AM - Richmond City Heron Rookery Tour (EVERY SATURDAY IN MARCH) Come join Richmond Audubon Society, Virginia IBA Program, and City of Richmond Park's Ralph White as we share this avian treasure right in the heart of downtown Richmond! Over 40 nests have been counted at this rookery located on the James River. Spread public awareness of this growing heron nesting colony and help educate others. Bring your family and friends, bring scopes and extra binoculars to share. *$5.00 Adults and teens, 12 & under FREE.* Fee goes to help support the James River Park System. PARKING: Go to the east end of East Byrd Street, where the road takes a sharp left turn, stay straight towards floodwall. At the stop immediately ahead go to the right, there is a small parking lot just past the overlook. Parking is very limited so please carpool. Please note - Anytime, parking area is at 12th and Byrd at the "Observation Platform" by the floodwall.. There is parking for 6 or 7 cars. But, for the Saturday morning walks ONLY, there is special parking available at the Whitewater Takeout located at the N / E end of the Mayo Bridge. Park head-in on the grass facing the floodwall just as soon as you go through the entrance gate ... and place a piece of paper in the window saying "Heron Tour". (Please do not go all the way in to the boater's parking lot. You must have a special sticker there and a boat rack on your car.) March 6th thru March 27th, Every Saturday at 11:00 AM - Richmond City Heron Rookery Tour Come join Richmond Audubon Society, Virginia IBA Program, and Richmond City Park's Ralph White as we share this avian treasure in downtown Richmond in the James River. Over 40 nests have been counted. Help spread public awareness of this growing heron nesting colony and educate others. Bring your family and friends, bring scopes and extra binoculars to share. *$5.00 Adults and teens, 12 & under FREE. Fee goes to help support the James River Park System. Meet in the parking lot at the far east end of E. Byrd St. (see map link below) in downtown Richmond. Turn right at the stop sign at the sharp left bend in E. Byrd Street, towards the floodwall, where 12th Street begins. Parking is very limited so please carpool. PARKING: Go to the east end of East Byrd Street, where the road takes a sharp left turn, stay straight towards floodwall. At the stop immediately ahead go to the right, there is a small parking lot just past the overlook. Parking is very limited so please carpool. Please note - Anytime, parking area is at 12th and Byrd at the "Observation Platform" by the floodwall.. There is parking for 6 or 7 cars. But, for the Saturday morning walks ONLY, there is special parking available at the Whitewater Takeout located at the N / E end of the Mayo Bridge. Park head-in on the grass facing the floodwall just as soon as you go through the entrance gate ... and place a piece of paper in the window saying "Heron Tour". (Please do not go all the way in to the boater's parking lot. You must have a special sticker there and a boat rack on your car.) CALL and email Ralph White (see below) for reservation and in case we have to car pool from some other area as parking is very limited. Ralph White James River Parks System / Manager City of Richmond email - jriverpk AT aol.com Office - (804) 646-8911 Please leave a voice mail Cell - (804) 432-1832 Does not record voice mails MAP: South 12th Street & East Byrd Street, Richmond, VA 23219 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Ridgeway Park; Dismal Swamp report From: nicholas flanders <flicknanders AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:07:17 -0500 Hey all, Stuart Sweetman and I made a quick run up to Ridgeway Park in Hampton yesterday (3/9/10) evening: the male Eurasian Wigeon was present, an ad. Black-crowned Night Heron, 1 Am. Coot, and a male Wood Duck were also notable. A pretty nice assortment of waterfowl in Lake Drummond of Great Dismal Swamp NWR this morning, with best views via Washington Ditch. Not big numbers, but variety: Tundra Swan (179), Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Mallard, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Canada Goose, Northern Pintail (8), Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup. Also an Osprey and 2 Bald Eagles. Rusty Blackbirds have been around and singing, with groups on both Interior and Washington Ditches this morning. Heard my first strong singing from Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Common Yellowthroats the past 2 days, and my first Mourning Cloak yesterday. Happy Spring, Nick Flanders. Newport News. _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Canal Trail , 3/10/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:51:38 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Recent sightings in Halifax County - Bald Eagles, Snipes, American Woodcocks & American Bittern From: "Jeffrey Blalock" <jcbabirder AT gcronline.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:27:54 -0500 Greetings to all: Some recent sightings in Halifax County are as follows: Runt Powell's farm Wolf Trap Rd - Feb 25, 2010 Bald Eagle - 1 adult Wilson's Snipe - 5 Eastern Meadowlark - 30 Edmund's Park - March 6, 2010 American Woodcock - 2 flying high seen in the late setting sunlight Clover Power Plant cooling pond - March 6, 2010 Bald Eagle - 1 immature DC Cormorant - 3 Ring-billed Gull - 30 Edmund's Park - March 7, 2010 American Woodcock - 1 fly by Seamster Farm on South Terry Bridge Rd - March 8, 2010 American Woodcock - 2 heard in large field Barred Owl - 3 heard White-tailed Deer - 3 in large field mad at me and snorting very loudly. My front yard - March 8, 2010 Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 flying right above my house as I stepped out the door. My back yard - March 9, 2010 Cooper Hawk - 1 landed on tree stump in back yard allowing a great look Banister River WMA - March 10, 2010 Bald Eagle - 1 sub adult (had almost all white head but not much white in tail) Wood Duck - 2 American Bittern - 1 heard Wild Turkey - 1 River Otter - 1 Overall, I had woodcocks at 2 locations and Bald Eagles at 3 locations that include 1 immature, 1 sub-adult and 1 adult birds. Good Birding Always. Jeff Blalock South Boston, VA 24592 jcbabirder AT gcronline.com _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Huntley Meadows - Rusty Blackbirds From: <dcharlesl AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:18:18 -0500 On a trip to Huntley Meadows in Alexandria this afternoon, I saw approximately 20 Rusty Blackbirds foraging on the ground in the swampy area just past marker number 4 on the right. The Rusty Blackbirds were busily flipping leaves as about half a dozen American Robins mingled with them. David Ledwith Falls Church, VA _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Barred Owl @ the Wetlands From: Ron Benson <rben23112 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:16:09 -0800 (PST) There was a barred owl sitting in the nest hole at the Wetlands today around 2:45. It was in the sycamore near the bridge on the Pony Pasture side of the main trail. The owl is visible while sitting on the nest. I have posted photos on my flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/surfnron - (copy and paste) Scroll past the mockingbird and the RSH. The owl presented itself posterior first while doing something in the nest. It then turned around and sat down. Ron_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Riverbend Park: Swans, Ducks From: Donald Sweig <skybirds.d AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:46:55 -0500 On the Potomac this afternoon, just down river from Riverbend park, and at the upper end of Conn island, were 44 Tundra swans. They were all grouped together, facing the same direction as if they were getting ready to fly. It was a beautiful sight for sure. We waited until almost 6:00, but they were still on the river. Also a lot of Ring-necked ducks, a few Common Mergansers, some Bufflehead, 6-8 wood Ducks over along the Md. shore, and also 5 Green-Wing Teal, the males in fine breeding plumage. -- Donald Sweig Falls Church, Va._______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: CVWO First Landing State Park Songbird Banding Station From: Taberzz AT aol.com Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:28:50 EST Bander Peter Doherty has opened the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory's banding station at First Landing...check out his excellent reports on the First Landing Blog at _www.cvwo.org_ (http://www.cvwo.org) Brian Taber CVWO_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Cooper's Hawks at College Creek Hawkwatch From: Taberzz AT aol.com Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:14:38 EST Shirley Devan and I witnessed a great, but short flight today at the hawkwatch, including 8 Cooper's Hawks, which is a daily record for the site. I put the totals for today and some data about Cooper's Hawks on the General Blog at _www.cvwo.org_ (http://www.cvwo.org) We also saw an early Royal Tern. Brian Taber Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Snow Geese From: jacob barkett <jb94birds AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:38:10 -0500 To all, Apparantly the mass number of "geese" I saw yesterday is most likely Tundra Swan. I would like to apologize for the misidentification. I got the two birds mixed up with each other, and so got the wrong species. So what I saw yesterday and were Tundra Swan and Canada Goose. I did hear Tundra Swan later, and saw about 200-300, but thought they were snow. I only now know that swans fly in a 'V' formation. Jacob Barkett, Woodbridge, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: migrating canada geese From: crhuff55 <crhuff55 AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:44:06 -0500 keith and i have both observed hundreds of high flying migrating geese all this morning - i saw a line of at least 200 at 8:15 am - then more a few minutes later - then he has seen two huge flocks while working outside later this morning - it is an amazing sight and never fails to delight us - christie huffman - great falls, va_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Chesapeake, Chesapeake County, VA, US , 3/10/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:09:03 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Leucistic or Kriders Red Tail Hawk From: William Leigh <leightern AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:35:30 +0000 This morning on my commute had a very brief look at an unusual RTHA at mile marker 311 on I-81 just before the 313 Winchester exit. The bird was mainly white in color but had many darker feathers on back and wings giving the bird the look of old dirty snow. The tail appeared to be a dull rusty rufus color. As I was traveling at 60 mph I wasn't able to really focus on the bird all that well but it was very close to the road perched on a fence post. It would be an interesting bird to photograph. William Leigh leightern AT msn.com _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Selasphorus hummer continues in Bon Air/Richmond From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:11:15 -0500 She is seen every day by homeowner Bill Overstreet, and by me when I take time to look. The location is 2609 Mohawk Dr., Richmond, VA. Parking is at 2609 or 2621 next door (don't block the green Forester between 1-3 on weekdays) or down the road away from Forest Hill Ave. People leave Forest Hill going way too fast at times. The grass is dry now and you can move around on both properties. She favors the magnolia closest to the feeders on the side porch and usually comes in that way from across the street. Jan Richmond _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Canada Geese migrating (2) From: David Bridge <bridgedavid AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:37:07 -0500 (GMT-05:00) Another large flock, today, March 10 at 8:30am, again about 125 birds high over southern Alexandria, headed north. David Bridge -----Original Message----- >From: David Bridge >Sent: Mar 9, 2010 1:42 PM >To: VA-Bird List >Subject: [Va-bird] Canada Geese migrating > >It is often hard to tell what Canada Geese are doing since there are so many >here all year long now, and flocks move short distances everyday. > >About 11:30am today there was a large flock (125+) flying very high over Alexandria, VA. >They were headed just about due north. >I would call these migrating geese; not local/resident birds. > _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Voice: Greater Washington Area, March 9 (corrected) From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:12:37 -0500 FYI - this report is for sightings from March 2 through March 8 and was compiled by Helen Patton & transcribed by Steve Cordle Joe Coleman Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist Date: 3/09/10 Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1 Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2 (email): voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org Compiler: Helen Patton Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States (independent of NAS!) Transcriber: Steve Cordle Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of the Voice (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon Advocate $150). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12; the address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org. This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist Society at 11:30 AM. Top birds this week are CALIFORNIA GULL* in MD and PAINTED BUNTING in MD and VA and VARIED THRUSH* in VA. Other birds of interest include GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, ducks, MERLIN, OSPREY, SANDHILL CRANE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BLACK-HEADED GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, a hummingbird, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, SNOW BUNTING, RUSTY BLACKBIRD and PURPLE FINCH. An adult CALIFORNIA GULL* paid a short visit at Violette's Lock, Montgomery Co, MD on March 3. A VARIED THRUSH* continues to be seen at a backyard feeder in Herndon, Fairfax Co, VA with reports throughout the week. The owner has indicated that birders are welcome to view the bird but should call 703-264-8860 after 3:00 pm on weekdays. A male PAINTED BUNTING is still being seen at a feeder in Bowie, Prince Georges Co, MD with the latest report on March 8. The hosts request that birders contact them by e-mail for directions and a viewing time (to ease parking problems). Please see the MDOSPREY list server for more information. A female PAINTED BUNTING visits a feeder on Rouse Dr in Virginia Beach, VA; latest report is March 7. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen in a number of locations this week including Dublin Rd, Somerset Co, MD on March 2; Schoolhouse Pond, Prince Georges Co, MD on March 2, 3 and 5 and Turner Rd, Calvert Co, MD on March 6 and 8. A male EURASIAN WIGEON was spotted March 3 on a pond on Pit Circle Rd, Pocomoke City, MD. A EURASIAN WIGEON was at Ridgeway Park in Hampton, VA on March 7. Two drake EURASIAN WIGEONS were found in farm fields around Leedstown, Westmoreland Co, VA on March 8. An adult male KING EIDER was seen in Virginia Beach, VA from the beach under the CBBT on March 7. An immature male COMMON EIDER was located at 21st Street, Little Creek Inlet, Norfolk, VA on March 6; at 22nd Bay and at 28th Street on March 7. A COMMON EIDER was at Kiptopeke SP, Northampton Co, VA on March 7. A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was on Island #1 of the CBBT, Northampton Co, VA on March 6. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was present in the sheltered water of the Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield, Somerset Co, MD, seen on March 3. As many as 750 COMMON MERGANSERS were observed at Burke Lake, Fairfax Co, VA on March 3 with lesser numbers on March 4 and 5. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen along Hall School Road near the Lipscomb intersection, Stuarts Draft, Augusta Co, VA on March 3 and 7. A first-year GOLDEN EAGLE was feeding on carrion on the west side of Campbelltown Road about .1 mile south of Shockley Rd., Worcester Co, MD on March 6. Two GOLDEN EAGLES flew over Chesapeake Farms, Kent Co, MD on March 6 and 7. Two GOLDEN EAGLES were spotted in the Front Royal area, Warren Co, VA on March 6. A MERLIN was spotted in a tree in a yard in Bentonville, Warren Co, VA on March 2. There were several reports of returning OSPREY during the week. A SANDHILL CRANE, found in a pasture at the NIH Animal Center, Elmer School Rd, Montgomery Co, MD continues to be seen with reports during the week. The crane has been spotted at other locations including Club Hollow Road and River Road. The peenting of AMERICAN WOODCOCK were heard in the region this past week. The BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen again at Little Creek Inlet, Norfolk, VA with reports during the week. There were two BLACK-HEADED GULLS around 22nd/23rd Street on the waterfront on March 6 and 7. The two BLACK-HEADED GULLS were joined by a first year GLAUCOUS GULL on the beach west of the inlet on March 6. Another GLAUCOUS GULL was seen at the Prince William Sanitary Landfill, Prince William CO, VA, also on March 6. A Selasphorus Hummingbird of unidentified species has been visiting a feeder in Richmond, VA with sightings on March 2 and 3. On March 6, an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was noted at Elk Neck SP, Cecil Co, MD and another was at Blue Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery Co, MD. A SNOW BUNTING was seen throughout the week near the lighthouse at Pt. Lookout SP, St. Mary's Co, MD. Another SNOW BUNTING was along Colbourn Creek Rd, Somerset Co, MD with reports during the week. A large flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, estimated at 300 birds, were seen at Bull Run Regional Park, Fairfax Co, VA on March 6. Two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were at the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary, Prince Georges Co, MD on March 7 Three PURPLE FINCHES were spotted at a feeder in Talbot Co, MD on March 7. Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey, VA-Bird, and DE-Birds list servers. The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606, http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=511) is an excellent source for guidebooks and many other nature-related titles. To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org or call 301-652-1088 and select menu option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, either e-mail or phone. Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING. *Of interest to the records committee_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: rockingham co. sunday birds From: "Bill Benish & Robyn Puffenbarger" <wcbenish AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:14:44 -0500 Hello- This weekend (Sunday 7th), we did the loop through Rockingham Co. that I am using with an ornithology class at Bridgewater College. We had an American tree sparrow and red-winged blackbirds - the "best" birds of the loop. We also had a flock (8-12) of yellow-rumped warblers. Most of the farm ponds, including Leonard's pond, are thawed out and had ducks but no shorebirds including green-winged teal at Leonard's. When we arrived home in Bridgewater, we were delighted to find a red-winged blackbird with grackles at our feeders. We do not see a red-winged in our yard every year, so it was nice to see it for a 2010 yard list. No ornithology list this week due to spring break. Cheers - Robyn Puffenbarger Bridgewater, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Pine Siskin - Botetourt County From: "Mary Ann Good" <magood1 AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:13:44 -0500 I've also had 1 or 2 Yellow-Rumps that have visited my deck regularly to gather the droppings from the suet feeder throughout the second part of the winter. Wonderful to see these cute little guys up close, and stationary! A couple winters ago I had a Pine Warbler that did the same thing regularly. Mary Ann Good Loudoun Co., VA _____ From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com] On Behalf Of Nancy Young Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:31 PM To: va-bird AT listserve.com Subject: [Va-bird] Pine Siskin - Botetourt County Monday, March 8, a Pine Siskin visited my feeders. He did not come back today. The last time I saw one was at Thanksgiving. So maybe this is the same one stopping by on his return north. Yesterday and today (March 8 & 9) I've had a Yellow-rumped Warbler feeding on my deck. Except for brief glimpses of them in the woods, this is the first time I've had one at the feeders. At first I thought it was a House Finch but then noticed it was eating from the suet feeder so I took a closer look. I had 24 yard birds for my Project Feeder Watch 2-day count this week. Lots of singing in the air and flocks of cowbirds, grackles and blackbirds moving about and Bluebirds trying to get into the chickadee house. Spring is here as far as the birds are concerned. Nancy Young Botetourt Co., VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Great Dismal Swamp NWR--Canal Trail , 3/9/10 From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:07:34 -0600 (CST) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Pine Siskin - Botetourt County From: "Nancy Young" <nanjyoung AT juno.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 23:31:12 -0500 Monday, March 8, a Pine Siskin visited my feeders. He did not come back today. The last time I saw one was at Thanksgiving. So maybe this is the same one stopping by on his return north. Yesterday and today (March 8 & 9) I've had a Yellow-rumped Warbler feeding on my deck. Except for brief glimpses of them in the woods, this is the first time I've had one at the feeders. At first I thought it was a House Finch but then noticed it was eating from the suet feeder so I took a closer look. I had 24 yard birds for my Project Feeder Watch 2-day count this week. Lots of singing in the air and flocks of cowbirds, grackles and blackbirds moving about and Bluebirds trying to get into the chickadee house. Spring is here as far as the birds are concerned. Nancy Young Botetourt Co., VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Occoquan NWR, Woodbridge From: Mike Webster <mzwebby AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 22:33:26 -0500 This morning was warm and beautiful at the refuge. 2 hours walking the trails yielded the following highlights: FOS Tree Swallow, Eastern Pheoebe, Wood Duck, and Osprey (6). The Great Horned Owl was on its nest (see previous posts about location) and one owlet was visible. 3 American Tree sparrows as well as 4 Bald Eagles, and a good variety of ducks, though many were on the far side of the river. Also on the MD side, were approximately 150 Tundra Swan. Mike Webster Falls Church, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Snow Geese near FPHS. From: jacob barkett <jb94birds AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:55:56 -0500 To all, This morning I saw around three hundred gulls, of course there were more before and after I saw them, but my attention is at the snow geese I saw flying north. They were flying towards my car as I was waiting in the turn lane to get to my high school. They were flying east before turning north. the totals fomr about 7:15-7:20 are: Snow Goose 50 Ring-billed Gull- 300 (I am sure there were Herring but I didn't think to look) Song Sparrow- 1 house Sparrow- 1 blackbirds sp. 20 Jacob Barkett, Woodbridge, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Canada and Snow Geese flocks From: jacob barkett <jb94birds AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:51:56 -0500 To all, I was playing football with my brothers and some friends in open lots when, at about 6 a huge flock of either 1000 Canada or Snow Geese flew in a a large, and I mean large, "V" formation. I would say they were Snow Geese for a minute or two after another flock of about 200-300 more came over. Then about another hundred came over and I identified them as snow. At about 6:30 a flock of about 200 Canada Geese flew over. The geese were all flying north. For Ebird, should I put the huge flock as snow or canada? The totals are I would say are 1865 Canada and Snow Geese. Jacob Barkett, Woodbridge, Va_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: NVBC Chincoteague Trip Photos From: uberlarry AT aol.com Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:57:51 -0500 Here are my photos from the Northern Virginia Bird Club's winter trip to Chincoteague and the CBBT. There are also photos from Kiptopeke State Park, Hampton and Norfolk. http://uberlarry.smugmug.com/gallery/11466275_Kxh8r#806493298_A9CN8 Larry Meade Vienna, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Black Headed Gull , Purple Sandpiper & Common Eider Norfolk From: Andrew Baldelli <andrewbaldelli AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 11:53:33 -0800 (PST) I looked at the bay today from the base of the CBBT going west to 21st bay street in Norfolk. The nice weather we have been getting lately must be allowing the wintering waterfowl that has been in the bay to move on . Numbers have been getting smaller each day.   I did see the Black Headed Gull today on beach west of 28th Bay St. 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks.   Further down the Beach at 21st Bay st. , the Imm. Male Common Eider was present , feeding on both sides of the rocks.   While scanning the bay from various sites today I did notice 50 plus Northern Gannets working the bay. I thought this was a little odd due to the lack of bad weather . Maybe these birds gather in the bay here before heading north , I'm not sure on the status of Gannet in the spring months here .   Cheers Andrew _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Canada Geese migrating From: David Bridge <bridgedavid AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:42:00 -0500 (EST) It is often hard to tell what Canada Geese are doing since there are so many here all year long now, and flocks move short distances everyday. About 11:30am today there was a large flock (125+) flying very high over Alexandria, VA. They were headed just about due north. I would call these migrating geese; not local/resident birds. David Bridge _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: tundra swans over great falls, va From: CRHuff55 AT aol.com Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:03:23 EST at about 9:45 am today i saw a huge group of tundra swans going over very high - in a big V and then a line in back of the V - estimate about 200 - and an hour later i could hear more but could not see them - this was along the potomac above great falls heading north along the river - amazing sight in the sunlight - christie huffman, great falls, va_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/