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Updated on Tuesday, February 9 at 03:05 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.
Squacco Heron,©Jan Wilczur

9 Feb Eagles nesting Washington Co ["Wallace Coffey" ]
08 Feb RAVEN in Powhatan County 2/8/10 [Wendy Ealding ]
8 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
8 Feb Fwd: [Roanoke Birds] Trumpeter Swans [Zach Thompson ]
08 Feb Trumpeter Swans continue - Botetourt County 2-7-10 []
08 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits ["Nancy Young" ]
7 Feb VSO trip to OBX Feb 5-7, 2010 ["Meredith Bell" ]
07 Feb Re: Glaucous Gull - Innsbrook, Richmond, VA [Arun Bose ]
07 Feb Iceland Gull and mystery gull in Norfolk []
07 Feb Fairfax Co: Dyke Marsh [Sunday, 7 Feb] ["Sherman Suter" ]
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
7 Feb Glaucous Gull - Innsbrook, Richmond, VA [Robert McLemore ]
7 Feb birding in Blue Grass [Patti Reum ]
07 Feb Re: Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk ["Kurt Gaskill" ]
7 Feb Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk [Harry Glasgow ]
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits [Paul Glass ]
7 Feb Feb 5/6/7: the Big Snow - Giles County [THOMAS P BROBSON ]
7 Feb KING EIDER and other sea ducks, Va. Beach []
7 Feb Fox Sparrow in Falls Church area [Bill Bickel ]
7 Feb Balcony Feeding ["ALDEN HINCKLEY" ]
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
7 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits ["Sally Snidow" ]
6 Feb Back Yard Views [Les Brooks ]
6 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits ["Margaret O'Bryan" ]
6 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits [David Bridge ]
6 Feb Pine Siskin - Augusta Co ["Brenda Tekin" ]
6 Feb Fox Sparrows in Chesapeake [Elisa Enders ]
6 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits ["Janice Frye" ]
06 Feb Horned Larks,Lapland Longspur ["eveline shank" ]
6 Feb Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits []
6 Feb Dry Fork VA [Kristi Abbott ]
6 Feb new yard birds ["Janice Frye" ]
6 Feb Chipping Sparrow in Herndon ["WILLIAM Brown" ]
06 Feb towhees and brown thrasher ["David R. Gibson" ]
06 Feb Brown Thrasher ["Larry Cartwright" ]
06 Feb Some Newly Posted Bird Pics [Paul Kane ]
06 Feb starling as a meal ["MARC RIBAUDO" ]
6 Feb Eagle Pix, OBWR Woodbridge Va [kerr kerr ]
6 Feb more on turkeys []
6 Feb birding in patch of woods behind my house in Woodbridge [jacob barkett ]
6 Feb snow feeding habits []
6 Feb Re: [bcbirdclub] Bald Eagles ["Roger Mayhorn" ]
5 Feb Purple Finch in Botetourt ["Nancy Young" ]
5 Feb Bald Eagles []
5 Feb Dry Fork VA [Kristi Abbott ]
5 Feb Woodcock(?) in Loftridge Park [Renee Grebe ]
05 Feb GADWALL in Powhatan County 2/5/10 [Wendy Ealding ]
5 Feb Re: wild turkey in Arlington & Crozet! / 5 Feb AM []
5 Feb Re: wild turkey in Arlington VA / 5 Feb AM ["Janice Frye" ]
05 Feb wild turkey in Arlington VA / 5 Feb AM ["Sherman Suter" ]
05 Feb Riverside Park, Mount Vernon & Pohick Bay Regional Park []
04 Feb Lab birds, Thursday Feb. 4th ["Bill Benish & Robyn Puffenbarger" ]
4 Feb Highland County field trip ["Allen & Pat" ]
4 Feb Refuge closure during inclement weather []
4 Feb Re: VSO trip to Outer Banks is ON [Lee Adams ]
4 Feb weather in Highland County [Patti Reum ]
03 Feb Glaucous Gull, Henrico Co. [Arun Bose ]
3 Feb Langley AFB waterfowl []
3 Feb VSO trip to Outer Banks is ON ["Meredith Bell" ]
3 Feb Goldeneye at Little Hunting Creek [Donald Sweig ]
3 Feb Atlantic Shores ["McDowell Ann W." ]
3 Feb Dismal Swamp report/storm-related birds [nicholas flanders ]
3 Feb Iceland Gull and Pintail Norfolk [Andrew Baldelli ]
3 Feb Birding at Mason Neck: RUBLs ["Desiree L. Narango" ]
3 Feb Barred Owls in Loftridge Park [Renee Grebe ]
2 Feb Late Posting: Rusty Blackbirds at Dismal Swamp NWR [Elisa Enders ]
2 Feb Iceland Gull (kumlien's), Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backeds - Henrico Co. [Arun Bose ]
2 Feb Voice: Greater Washington Area, Feb. 2 ["Joe Coleman" ]
1 Feb Bald Eagle in Ashburn [Nancy W ]
1 Feb Iceland Gull & Common Eiders Norfolk & Virginia Beach [Andrew Baldelli ]
01 Feb Re: Interesting Gull Eating Method - Occoquan Bay NWR, Woodbridge [Wendy Ealding ]
1 Feb American Pipits, Colonial Parkway []
1 Feb Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk [Harry Glasgow ]
1 Feb Interesting Gull Eating Method - Occoquan Bay NWR, Woodbridge []

Subject: Eagles nesting Washington Co
From: "Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey AT tricon.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:05:40 +0000
Bill and Sandy Lawson of Lebanon, VA report that they stopped by the their lake 
house on South Holston Lake Monday (Feb 8) and observed an adult Bald Eagle in 
/ on the nest which was used in 2009 to fledged an eaglet. It is located in the 
Avens Bridge vicinity of Washington Co. This is now the second known eagle 
nesting record for Southwest Virginia. 


Let's go birding . . .

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN
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Subject: RAVEN in Powhatan County 2/8/10
From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com>
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:35:16 -0500
We stepped out of the car to go to lunch in Powhatan, and heard and saw a RAVEN 
calling from a light pole behind the South Creek Food Lion. We seem to be 
getting more Raven sightings south of the James this winter. 



Wendy Ealding
Powhatan County_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:32:50 EST
 
Hi Mike,
 
Thanks so much for this account.  It's useful information.  I  would point 
out that people should note the corn was cracked already.  I  doubt the 
thrush could have eaten whole corn which is also sold.
 
For the naturalist types out there who are especially interested in  
learning about other kinds of critters, Mike's post brings to mind the  
HONEYBEES(!!!!!!) I've had feeding on cracked corn in my feeders when they have 
come 

out on unnaturally warm winter days.  There would, of  course, be no blooms 
yet for them to obtain nectar or pollen.   Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are 
especially useful to insects at these times as  they make sap available to 
insects that fly on warm winter days.
 
Gardeners often worry that the sapsucker wells harm their plants but that  
is simply not true.  Unfortunately, many university extension offices do  
put out such erroneous information.   
 
Sincerely,
Marlene 
 
    

 
 
In a message dated 2/8/2010 12:01:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
mikelpurdy AT aol.com writes:

Marlene's account of a Hermit Thrush eating sunflower meats reminded me  of 
the Varied Thrush that made a winter appearance in Monterey,  Highland 
County, several years ago. As I recall, the thrush survived on  cracked corn 
that the Beverage family scattered on their lawn.
 
Mike Purdy
Roanoke, VA.





-----Original  Message-----
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
To: JPMyers AT aol.com;  va-bird AT listserve.com
Sent: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 3:12 pm
Subject: Re:  [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits


American Sycamore fruit balls are composed of numerous nutlets that  mature 
in fall and persist throughout most of the winter.  American  Goldfinches 
are especially fond of them and start feeding on the nutlets later  in winter 
as the balls start to separate and fall apart.
 
As phoebes have small beaks designed for feeding upon tiny live critters,  
I would think these birds were finding insects, spiders, or insect or  
spider eggs wedged in among the nutlets rather than feeding  upon the nutlets 
themselves.  If you look through  binoculars, you might see the orangey tufts 
of hair attached to the  nutlets if the birds are actually feeding upon the 
fruits.
 
I believe folks should always have some shell-less sunflower seeds (known  
as hearts or bits and pieces) on hand for insect-eating birds that are in  
desperate straits.  These birds will eat sunflower meats but only if the  
seeds already have the shell off or mostly off (their beaks are not fully  
capable of breaking open the shell).  
 
In the winter of 1996, which was similar to what we are now experiencing,  
I am certain I saved a Hermit Thrush's life because everything was iced over 
 for about 2 weeks.  That bird fed every day on sunflower meats on my  
deck.  It was practically impossible for it to feed on frozen  ice-covered 
fruits or to find live food on ice-covered plants and  branches.   And a 
particularly cold spring a few years ago brought a beautiful male Scarlet 
Tanager 

to my feeder for several days to feed upon  sunflower hearts!
 
I hope this isn't more info than anyone wanted.  
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole  Books) 
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA  22932-2204
E-mail: _MARLENECONDON AT aol.com_ (mailto:MARLENECONDON AT aol.com) 
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/) 
 
 
   
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:04:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
_JPMyers AT aol.com_ (mailto:JPMyers AT aol.com)   writes:

In both this  snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around  sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that 
hang from the  trees.  Does anyone know whether they are finding insects 
there? Or  seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i 
don't see  them there when its warmer and there is open ground.

Also... my flock  of juncoes and field sparrows switch very predictably to 
a different source  of food in these deep snows.  They forage out in the 
open field (which  I hay only once a year, in late spring, so the grass/weeds 
have lots of time  to grow back for winter cover) where they flutter to the 
top of tall grass  stems and pull the seed head down to the ground with the 
weight of their  bodies.  they eat the seeds and then flutter to the next 
stem, pulling  it down.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA

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Thank  you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of 
 Ornithology.  Please consider joining the VSO.
_http://www.virginiabirds.net/_ (http://www.virginiabirds.net/) 







_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list
 _http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird_ 
(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/_ (http://www.virginiabirds.net/) 



_______________________________________________
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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: [Roanoke Birds] Trumpeter Swans
From: Zach Thompson <glorifyenterprisesinc AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:35:08 -0500
Fellow Birders,

This is an opportunity to see a rares species.  The Trumpeter Swans
are in the field to the left of the "B" on this map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=37.675635,-79.798765&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=16&sll=37.674786,-79.799559&sspn=0.008084,0.013754&ie=UTF8&ll=37.675006,-79.798915&spn=0.008084,0.013754&t=h&z=16 


The Gala Wetland Bank in Botetourt County is 40 minutes N. of Roanoke,
about 40 minutes from Lewisburg, WV and 50 minutes from Lexington.

Zach

From: Barry 
Date: Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Subject: [Roanoke Birds] Trumpeter Swans
To: James Hancock , roanoke birds



Sunday 7 Feb'10 at1:00 PM (5) Trumpeter Swans, most with neck and leg
bands were seen in a cut cornfield 200 yds north
of the Gala wetlands. Also seen at the wetlands (1) Tree Sparrow, (1)
E Phoebe, (1) Cooper's Hawk.

seen by Ed Burroughs and Barry Kinzie
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Subject: Trumpeter Swans continue - Botetourt County 2-7-10
From: mikelpurdy AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:19:18 -0500
The five Trumpeter Swans reported a week ago on this listserv continue to be 
seen near the community of Gala in Botetourt County. They were seen again early 
Sunday afternoon 2-7-10 by Barry Kinzie and Ed Burroughs feeding in a cornfield 
200 yards north of the Wetlands beside Rt. 220. Ed and Barry also observed a 
single Tree Sparrow at the wetlands. With the recent snowfall and snow-plowing 
there is apparently no safe place to park for now. 


Mike Purdy
Roanoke, Va.


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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: mikelpurdy AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:01:42 -0500
Marlene's account of a Hermit Thrush eating sunflower meats reminded me of the 
Varied Thrush that made a winter appearance in Monterey, Highland County, 
several years ago. As I recall, the thrush survived on cracked corn that the 
Beverage family scattered on their lawn. 


Mike Purdy
Roanoke, VA.






-----Original Message-----
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
To: JPMyers AT aol.com; va-bird AT listserve.com
Sent: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 3:12 pm
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits


American Sycamore fruit balls are composed of numerous nutlets that mature in 
fall and persist throughout most of the winter. American Goldfinches are 
especially fond of them and start feeding on the nutlets later in winter as the 
balls start to separate and fall apart. 

 
As phoebes have small beaks designed for feeding upon tiny live critters, I 
would think these birds were finding insects, spiders, or insect or spider eggs 
wedged in among the nutlets rather than feeding upon the nutlets themselves. If 
you look through binoculars, you might see the orangey tufts of hair attached 
to the nutlets if the birds are actually feeding upon the fruits. 

 
I believe folks should always have some shell-less sunflower seeds (known as 
hearts or bits and pieces) on hand for insect-eating birds that are in 
desperate straits. These birds will eat sunflower meats but only if the seeds 
already have the shell off or mostly off (their beaks are not fully capable of 
breaking open the shell). 

 
In the winter of 1996, which was similar to what we are now experiencing, I am 
certain I saved a Hermit Thrush's life because everything was iced over for 
about 2 weeks. That bird fed every day on sunflower meats on my deck. It was 
practically impossible for it to feed on frozen ice-covered fruits or to find 
live food on ice-covered plants and branches. And a particularly cold spring a 
few years ago brought a beautiful male Scarlet Tanager to my feeder for several 
days to feed upon sunflower hearts! 

 
I hope this isn't more info than anyone wanted.  
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole Books) 
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
www.MARLENECONDON.com
 
 
   

In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:04:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, JPMyers AT aol.com 
writes: 

In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that hang 
from the trees. Does anyone know whether they are finding insects there? Or 
seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i don't see them 
there when its warmer and there is open ground. 


Also... my flock of juncoes and field sparrows switch very predictably to a 
different source of food in these deep snows. They forage out in the open field 
(which I hay only once a year, in late spring, so the grass/weeds have lots of 
time to grow back for winter cover) where they flutter to the top of tall grass 
stems and pull the seed head down to the ground with the weight of their 
bodies. they eat the seeds and then flutter to the next stem, pulling it down. 


Pete Myers
White Hall VA

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Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of 
Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. 

http://www.virginiabirds.net/

 

 


_______________________________________________
a-bird mailing list
ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird
Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of 
rnithology.  Please consider joining the VSO.
ttp://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: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: "Nancy Young" <nanjyoung AT juno.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 23:49:59 -0500
Amazing sight!  The little birds must have been so hungry that they didn't
worry about the presence of the crows like they normally would.  Seems one
crow was very hungry, too.  

 

One evening last week five deer were munching on the rhododendron bush at
the edge of our woods.  One of them also ate some dry oak leaves that had
fallen on the snow.  They are hungry, too.  I could tell by the head nods
that they really didn't like what they were eating.   It's a wonder the
critters survive in this weather.

 

Nancy Young

Roanoke Valley

 

  _____  

From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com]
On Behalf Of Sally Snidow
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:13 AM
To: David Bridge; va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits

 

And speaking of stress-induced food issues (we have 30" of snow here in
northern Loudoun County), an interesting event occurred yesterday that I've
not witnessed before.  

 

In between turns at the feeders, there were many white throats, juncos,
goldfinches, house finches, song sparrows, tufted titmice, chickadees,
doves, jays, cardinals and a couple of red-bellied woodpeckers busily eating
seeds that had fallen on top of the snow.  Mixed among these gleaners were
two crows, eating along with everyone else and seemingly minding their own
business.  They were not causing any fuss among the other birds.  

 

Suddenly and without any warning, one crow turned to the little bird right
next to it, and with two quick stabs, killed it and completely consumed it
within two minutes, then flew off to a nearby tree.  It happened so quickly
that I couldn't identify the victim, but I think it was one of the sparrows.


 

The others didn't seem to notice and kept right on eating.

 

Sally Snidow

Lucketts, Virginia

 

  

  

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Subject: VSO trip to OBX Feb 5-7, 2010
From: "Meredith Bell" <merandlee AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:08:23 -0500
Hi VA-Birders,


Despite challenging weather conditions, 24 enthusiastic birders attended the 
VSO field trip February 5-7 in the Outer Banks. We were rewarded with 116 
species for the week-end. 




Participants in the pelagic trip on Friday with Brian Patteson enjoyed great, 
close-up looks at a variety of ocean birds, including: Greater Shearwater, Manx 
Shearwater, Red Phalarope, Great Skua, Black-legged Kittiwake, Dovekie, 
Razorbill and Atlantic Puffin. 




Many thanks to our trip leaders Bill Akers and Jerry Via, who provided 
excellent programs Friday and Saturday evenings, along with being such 
knowledgeable, patient guides during our trip on Saturday. 




Birding at the hotel from our balconies and the outdoor platform was 
productive. Rarities included Iceland Gull and Little Gull, both seen close-in 
at the edge of the water. Northern Gannets gave quite a show flying up and down 
the coast, while Bonaparte and Lesser Black-backed Gulls entertained us along 
with the “regulars.” Both Common and Red-throated Loons, Razorbill, and 
Red-breasted Merganser were spotted, but there were few other birds in the 
ocean due to the very rough conditions caused by the high winds. 




On Saturday, due to the strong NW winds and the heavy rains from the previous 
week, many birds took refuge in pockets of water near the road. So some of the 
best views were from our vehicles, where on one stop we saw Marbled Godwit, 
Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail. 




Other highlights included:



- A huge raft (2,000+) of Redhead Ducks in clear view from the causeway between 
Nags Head and Manteo 




- Hundreds of Northern Pintail, Tundra Swan and Tree Swallow on Friday 
(Alligator River NWR) 




- Both White and Brown Pelican (Pea Island)



- Eurasian Wigeon with a large group of American Wigeon (Boddie Island)



- Abundance of raptors on Sunday – 6 Bald Eagles, 6 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 
Northern Harrier (Alligator River NWR) 




- Up-close looks at Eastern Meadowlark and a Horned Lark (Alligator River NWR)



Boddie Island now has a great boardwalk and outstanding elevated observation 
platform that gives fantastic views in all directions. 




If anyone on the trip has additional species or would like to share other 
favorite moments, please post them. And send me any photos you're willing to 
share. I plan to post an album on the VSO Facebook Fan page (become a Fan if 
you haven't already - it's free to join Facebook). 




Complete list from the weekend is shown below.



Meredith Bell, Co-Chair

Field Trip Committee



Snow Goose

Brant

Canada Goose

Tundra Swan

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Eurasian Wigeon

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Canvasback

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup

Lesser Scaup

Common Eider

Surf Scoter

Black Scoter

Long-tailed Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-throated Loon

Common Loon

Pied-billed Grebe

Horned Grebe

Greater Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Northern Gannet

American White Pelican

Brown Pelican

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Cormorant

American Bittern

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Tricolored Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron

White Ibis

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

American Coot

Black-bellied Plover

Semipalmated Plover

Killdeer

American Oystercatcher

American Avocet

Greater Yellowlegs

Lesser Yellowlegs

Willet

Marbled Godwit

Ruddy Turnstone

Sanderling

Western Sandpiper

Dunlin

Short-billed Dowitcher

Wilson’s Snipe

Red Phalarope

Great Skua

Little Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Iceland Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Black-legged Kittiwake

Common Tern

Forster’s Tern

Dovekie

Razorbill

Atlantic Puffin

Rock Pigeon

Mourning Dove

Great Horned Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

American Crow

Horned Lark

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Chickadee

Winter Wren

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

European Starling

Chipping sparrow

Savannah sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Common Grackle

Boat-tailed Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: Glaucous Gull - Innsbrook, Richmond, VA
From: Arun Bose <arun1bose AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:11:01 -0500
I also visited the Innsbrook area later in the afternoon (3:00 - 3:30).
Glaucous was present as well as a single Iceland Gull (talked with Fenton
Day who mentioned he saw 2 Iceland gulls at this location last Thursday).
Also present this afternoon 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 adult, 1 1st
cycle) and a similar mix of other gull species previously reported.

digiscope pics of the "white winged" gulls at the links below

Glaucous
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arun_birdphotos/4339376250/

Iceland
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arun_birdphotos/4339377328/

Checked Browns Island later on but not too much of note. Decent number of
Grater Black-backed gull (c.40) and 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Arun Bose
Richmond

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Subject: Iceland Gull and mystery gull in Norfolk
From: david.clark AT chasnorfolk.org
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:49:22 +0000
This afternoon about 4:30 p.m. there was an immature Iceland Gull on the beach 
near the fishing pier at Ocean View in Norfolk. Photos can be seen at 
http://weyanoke.smugmug.com/ . There was another peculiar-looking pale gull 
with present. That bird has darker primaries and appears in front of the 
Iceland Gull in the last four photos in the sequence. Thoughts about the 
identification of that bird are welcomed. 


David Clark
Norfolk, VA
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Subject: Fairfax Co: Dyke Marsh [Sunday, 7 Feb]
From: "Sherman Suter" <ssuter AT aaas.org>
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:00:36 -0500
7 February 2009: VA: FairfaxCo: Dyke Marsh & mouth of Hunting Creek 

0800 to 1130 EST:  Friends of Dyke Marsh Sunday morning birdwalk;


a beautiful, sunny morning in the snow-covered marsh; surprisingly comfortable 
(perhaps from the heat generated by trudging through the snow); but no other 
birders showed up to enjoy it; no surprise, as the parking lot was snowed in 
and plows on the GW Parkway had left a 80 to 100+ cm berm of snow across the 
entry road; 



scoping Potomac Riverfrom shore of Belle Haven picnic grounds (to 0820); S. 
through Belle Haven Marina (to 0850); then down Haul Road to N platform (1035) 
andreturn; 1110 to 1130, again checkingmouth of Hunting Creek from picnic 
grounds shore; 

 
-8 to -3 ºC; clear, sunny; to mostly clear, w/diffuse,thin patches ; N to NW 
winds, 13 to 22km/hr; 35 to 55 cm fresh snow on ground; a few limbs down across 
haul rd due tosnow load; ice with snow coverthroughout marsh; ice over all of 
HuntingCreek cove, out 400 + m from Stone Bridge, except along Hunting Creek 
outflowchannel; ice extending 50 to 100 m offshore along picnic grounds; marina 
cove 100% frozen over; cove S of Haul Rd, ice extending out to SE ofS platform; 
60 to 90 m ice shelf E ofmarsh S of Haul Rd; low tide, c. 0855; sunrise, 0709 ; 


 
Canada Goose     415          [+ 925, mouth Hunting Creek]
American Black Duck               [20, mouth Hunting Creek] 
Mallard     8    [+ 430, mouth Hunting Creek]
Green-winged Teal [4, scattered amongst Mallards, mouthHunting Creek] 

Canvasback     1         (f;  river E of N platform)
Ring-necked Duck     4 (3 m, 1 f)
Lesser Scaup     2         (1 m, 1 f)
Bufflehead     2         (1 m, 1 f)
Hooded Merganser     165          (45 ad m, 120 f/i)
Common Merganser    163         (47 ad m, 116 f/i)
Red-breasted Merganser     4    (2 ad m, 2 f/i)
Ruddy Duck     68
Great Blue Heron     7
Bald Eagle     1 (ad)          [+ 1 ad, mouth Hunting Creek]   (see note below)
N Harrier     1    (j; strong hood, underparts nearly white)
Red-shouldered Hawk     1   (ad)
Red-tailed Hawk     1   (j)  
Killdeer     2    (marsh S of marina cove)
Ring-billed Gull     185          [+ 875, mouth Hunting Creek]
Herring Gull     43         [+ 65, mouth Hunting Creek]
Great Black-backed Gull     29         [+ 22, mouth Hunting Creek]
Mourning Dove     2
Belted Kingfisher     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     9
Downy Woodpecker     13 
Hairy Woodpecker     2
Blue Jay     11
American Crow     6
Fish Crow     2
Carolina Chickadee     21
Tufted Titmouse     18  
White-breasted Nuthatch     1
Carolina Wren     19
Winter Wren     1
Golden-crowned Kinglet     2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     2
Eastern Bluebird     3    (trio flying N over woods W of Haul Rd)
American Robin     2
European Starling     17
Cedar Waxwing     4
Song Sparrow     26
Swamp Sparrow     3
White-throated Sparrow     17
Northern Cardinal     27
Red-winged Blackbird     70
Common Grackle     45
House Finch     2
American Goldfinch     8
House Sparrow     16
 
49 species           

 
the diving ducks and all buta handful of the mergansers were on the river E, 
SE, and S of the tip platformsat the tip of the Haul Road; 




note on Bald Eagles: 1 ad flying over river S of nest on island 800m S of S 
platform; 1 ad perched alongshore W of Jones Point Lighthouse; bothisland nest 
and golf course nest had substantial snow accumulations (at leaston their 
rims); 




Red Fox: 2, 1 chasing the other W around N end of island S of marina, then 
Sthrough marsh and crossing Haul Rd; later a single fox passed N across the 
haulroad and on out to S tip of same island; 



 
Sherman Suter
Alexandria, VA 22307   /  Port Republic, MD 20676
ssuter  aaas  org

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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:24:11 EST
I keep forgetting to point out that you needn't bring a sycamore seed  ball 
to a warmer temp at this time of year to discover what's inside; that would 
 needlessly kill the critters.
 
Instead, you can place one or more seed balls into a bit of netting,  such 
as an onion bag, and hang it outside in a protected area.  When warm  
weather arrives, check on it as much as possible each day to see what  emerges 
and, if possible, then return the critters to a sycamore tree.
 
We are losing many kinds of insects and other critters and we should not  
needlessly kill them.  The fewer of them that are available for birds to  
consume, the harder it is for birds to make it through the winter.   Thanks!
 
Marlene      
 
 
In a message dated 2/7/2010 5:11:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  MARLENECOND
ON AT aol.com writes:

 
Hi Paul,
 
Thanks so much for sharing your observations.  I love this kind of  info!  
Please do let us all know if you discover anything else.  I  am super 
curious as to what kinds of critters are inside those sycamore seed  
balls--sometimes referred to as "buttonballs".
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 

 
 
In a message dated 2/7/2010 2:17:22 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Pag AT GCRCompany.com writes:

I have a large sycamore in the back  yard.  I have seen Goldfinches, House 
Finches, Purple Finches and  Cardinals feeding on the seeds.  Both Kinglets, 
Carolina  Chickadees, and Yellow-rumped Warblers often forage around the 
seed  heads, but I am certain they are searching for insects rather that 
eating  the seeds.  I occaissionaly have Phoebes in the yard in winter,  but I 
have never seen them in the sycamore.  I will be sure to watch  the next time 
one shows up.
 
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA

-----Original Message-----
From:  MARLENECONDON AT aol.com [mailto:MARLENECONDON AT aol.com]
Sent:  Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:55 AM
To: bridgedavid AT earthlink.net;  va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding  habits



What a great suggestion, David--if any of the seed balls are within  easy 
reach!  I hope someone is able to follow up on this and report  back.
 
Thanks so very much for your insightful comments!
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
P.S.  I should point out that American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to 
Wildlife food  habits..is a wonderful book and chock full of interesting 
information, but it should not be taken as the final word when you are deciding 

which  plants to allow on your property.  Many of the plants in the book are  
very popular with particular species at certain times of the year, much  
more so than you might think from what the authors have  written.  And the 
listing of animals that use each plant is not  always complete.  For example, 
the stems of Touch-me-not (aka  Jewelweed--Impatiens capensis) is quite a 
popular food source for the American Black Bear in summer, but this bear is not 

even listed  as making use of that plant.  My point is simply that it pays 
to make  your own determinations by being observant and keeping  notes.     

 
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:43:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
bridgedavid AT earthlink.net writes:

One of my  favorite reference books is:
Martin, Zim, and Nelson,  1951.
American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits  ...

In which, I was a little surprised to see that plant items  are reported to 
make up 21 percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the  winter season.
3 percent in the Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and  8 percent in the 
Fall.
The plant foods listed include:  sumac,  poison-ivy, bayberry, holly, 
cherry, blackberry, elderberry and  sassafras.
some of these items are obviously seasonal, there are very  few blackberry 
or elderberry available in Feb.

For sycamores  (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed balls are utilized 
by only a  few wildlife species." 
and then list both Purple Finch, and American  Goldfinch [as noted by 
others on VA-birds] as species that eat the  seeds. 

All of this is interesting, but it does not answer your  question "What are 
the Phoebes eating?", insects or "seeds".
It does  however suggest that relationship between Phoebes and sycamores 
has not  been documented (or at least well documented).
It times of great  stress, many animal species will eat unusually food  
items.

Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore balls, place them  in a glass jar, 
(warm slightly), and see if any insects emerge, that  would be interesting.
Nature is full of wonderful  surprises!

David Bridge
Alexandria, VA


-----Original  Message----- 
From: JPMyers AT aol.com 
Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM  
To: va-bird AT listserve.com 
Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding  habits 

In both this snow storm and the  December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore  trees and picking something of the seed balls that 
hang from the  trees.  Does anyone know whether they are finding insects 
there?  Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i  
don't see them there when its warmer and there is open  ground.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA  


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 Ornithology.  Please consider joining the  VSO.
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 Ornithology.  Please consider joining the  VSO.
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:09:39 EST
 
Hi Paul,
 
Thanks so much for sharing your observations.  I love this kind of  info!  
Please do let us all know if you discover anything else.  I am  super 
curious as to what kinds of critters are inside those sycamore seed  
balls--sometimes referred to as "buttonballs".
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 

 
 
In a message dated 2/7/2010 2:17:22 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Pag AT GCRCompany.com writes:

I have a large sycamore in the back  yard.  I have seen Goldfinches, House 
Finches, Purple Finches and  Cardinals feeding on the seeds.  Both Kinglets, 
Carolina Chickadees,  and Yellow-rumped Warblers often forage around the 
seed heads, but I am  certain they are searching for insects rather that 
eating the seeds.  I  occaissionaly have Phoebes in the yard in winter, but I 
have never seen  them in the sycamore.  I will be sure to watch the next time 
one shows  up.
 
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA

-----Original Message-----
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com  [mailto:MARLENECONDON AT aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010  9:55 AM
To: bridgedavid AT earthlink.net;  va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding  habits



What a great suggestion, David--if any of the seed balls are within  easy 
reach!  I hope someone is able to follow up on this and report  back.
 
Thanks so very much for your insightful comments!
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
P.S.  I should point out that American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to 
Wildlife food habits..is  a wonderful book and chock full of interesting 
information, but it should not be taken as the final word when you are deciding 

which plants to allow  on your property.  Many of the plants in the book are 
very popular with  particular species at certain times of the year, much more 
so than you might  think from what the authors have written.  And the 
listing of  animals that use each plant is not always complete.  For example,  
the stems of Touch-me-not (aka Jewelweed--Impatiens capensis) is  quite a 
popular food source for the American Black Bear in summer, but this bear is not 

even listed as making use of that plant.  My point is  simply that it pays 
to make your own determinations by being observant and  keeping notes.     

 
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:43:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
bridgedavid AT earthlink.net writes:

One of my favorite  reference books is:
Martin, Zim, and Nelson, 1951.
American Wildlife  and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits ...

In which, I was a  little surprised to see that plant items are reported to 
make up 21  percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the winter season.
3 percent in  the Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and 8 percent in the 
Fall.
The  plant foods listed include:  sumac, poison-ivy, bayberry, holly,  
cherry, blackberry, elderberry and sassafras.
some of these items are  obviously seasonal, there are very few blackberry 
or elderberry available  in Feb.

For sycamores (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed  balls are utilized 
by only a few wildlife species." 
and then list both  Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch [as noted by 
others on VA-birds] as  species that eat the seeds. 

All of this is interesting, but it  does not answer your question "What are 
the Phoebes eating?", insects or  "seeds".
It does however suggest that relationship between Phoebes and  sycamores 
has not been documented (or at least well documented).
It  times of great stress, many animal species will eat unusually food  
items.

Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore balls, place them  in a glass jar, 
(warm slightly), and see if any insects emerge, that would  be interesting.
Nature is full of wonderful surprises!

David  Bridge
Alexandria, VA


-----Original  Message----- 
From: JPMyers AT aol.com 
Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM  
To: va-bird AT listserve.com 
Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding habits  

In both this snow storm and the December  dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and  picking something of the seed balls that 
hang from the trees.  Does  anyone know whether they are finding insects 
there? Or seeds? It seems  to be a food resource of last resort, because i 
don't see them there  when its warmer and there is open ground.

Pete Myers
White  Hall VA  


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Thank  you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of 
 Ornithology.  Please consider joining the  VSO.
http://www.virginiabirds.net/



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Subject: Glaucous Gull - Innsbrook, Richmond, VA
From: Robert McLemore <grousek9 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:49:42 -0800 (PST)
After several tries playing the gull version of Where's Waldo, I finally was at 
the pond at the same time as Arun Bose's Glaucous Gull. Still haven't located 
the Iceland gulls. 


In Richmond, at the Innsbrook office park are several ponds. This is the one by 
the Innsbrook Pavilion. Today the entire pond was frozen except for one very 
small patch. 


Also located:

200+ Ring-bill Gulls
30+ Herring Gulls
8 Great Black Backed Gulls
2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls
and a lone Black Vulture

I was there at 1:30pm and it was a balmy 30 dg.


Cheers,
Robert McLemore


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Subject: birding in Blue Grass
From: Patti Reum <pareum AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:37:55 -0500
Decided to finally get out of the house and try the roads out here in
Highland County.    Beautiful sunny day with no wind.  I drove up Wimer Mt.
Road, back on Hevener Lane, then onto the Laurel Fork Road.  There was not a
single raptor in the air.  Didn't even see a squirrel!  I did see a large
hawk very very briefly which I believe was a large phase Rough-legged.  Most
interesting birds were 25-30 Horned Larks in a muddy cow pen and 7 American
Pipets in a small stream that was filled with water cress.
Patti
-- 
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Subject: Re: Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
From: "Kurt Gaskill" <KurtCapt87 AT verizon.net>
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:46:07 -0500
VA BIRDers,

 

The entrance drive to the Huntley Meadows Visitor Center is blocked by
plowed snow (230pm today).  I am sure this will change, but tomorrow morning
may find the road still blocked and there really is not place to park at
this location.

 

Kurt Gaskill

 

From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com]
On Behalf Of Harry Glasgow
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 3:07 PM
To: VA Bird Listserv
Subject: [Va-bird] Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk

 


There are several reasons why we are going to have to cancel the Huntley
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk for tomorrow.  The main reason is trail
conditions. We are particularly concerned about safety on the boardwalk.
Since Fairfax County government facilities will be closed again tomorrow,
the Visitor Center at Huntley will not be open.  And finally, it occurs to
me that the bulge in the snow outside my window is my transportation, and I
may not have it rescued by tomorrow morning.

 

This should not, by any means, stop anyone who wants to take a walk in the
snowy woods tomorrow.  It promises to be a nice day.

 

So, til next week,

Harry Glasgow

Friends of Huntley Meadows Park

 

 
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Subject: Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
From: Harry Glasgow <harry.glasgow AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:06:49 -0800 (PST)


There are several reasons why we are going to have to cancel the Huntley 
Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk for tomorrow.  The main reason is trail 
conditions. We are particularly concerned about safety on the boardwalk.  Since 
Fairfax County government facilities will be closed again tomorrow, the Visitor 
Center at Huntley will not be open.  And finally, it occurs to me that the 
bulge in the snow outside my window is my transportation, and I may not have it 
rescued by tomorrow morning. 

 
This should not, by any means, stop anyone who wants to take a walk in the 
snowy woods tomorrow.  It promises to be a nice day. 

 
So, til next week,
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park
 


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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: Paul Glass <Pag AT GCRCompany.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 14:17:05 -0500 
I have a large sycamore in the back yard.  I have seen Goldfinches, House
Finches, Purple Finches and Cardinals feeding on the seeds.  Both Kinglets,
Carolina Chickadees, and Yellow-rumped Warblers often forage around the seed
heads, but I am certain they are searching for insects rather that eating
the seeds.  I occaissionaly have Phoebes in the yard in winter, but I have
never seen them in the sycamore.  I will be sure to watch the next time one
shows up.
 
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA

-----Original Message-----
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com [mailto:MARLENECONDON AT aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:55 AM
To: bridgedavid AT earthlink.net; va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits



What a great suggestion, David--if any of the seed balls are within easy
reach!  I hope someone is able to follow up on this and report back.
 
Thanks so very much for your insightful comments!
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
P.S.  I should point out that American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to
Wildlife food habits..is a wonderful book and chock full of interesting
information, but it should not be taken as the final word when you are
deciding which plants to allow on your property.  Many of the plants in the
book are very popular with particular species at certain times of the year,
much more so than you might think from what the authors have written.  And
the listing of animals that use each plant is not always complete.  For
example, the stems of Touch-me-not (aka Jewelweed--Impatiens capensis) is
quite a popular food source for the American Black Bear in summer, but this
bear is not even listed as making use of that plant.  My point is simply
that it pays to make your own determinations by being observant and keeping
notes.     
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:43:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
bridgedavid AT earthlink.net writes:

One of my favorite reference books is:
Martin, Zim, and Nelson, 1951.
American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits ...

In which, I was a little surprised to see that plant items are reported to
make up 21 percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the winter season.
3 percent in the Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and 8 percent in the Fall.
The plant foods listed include:  sumac, poison-ivy, bayberry, holly, cherry,
blackberry, elderberry and sassafras.
some of these items are obviously seasonal, there are very few blackberry or
elderberry available in Feb.

For sycamores (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed balls are utilized
by only a few wildlife species." 
and then list both Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch [as noted by others
on VA-birds] as species that eat the seeds. 

All of this is interesting, but it does not answer your question "What are
the Phoebes eating?", insects or "seeds".
It does however suggest that relationship between Phoebes and sycamores has
not been documented (or at least well documented).
It times of great stress, many animal species will eat unusually food items.

Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore balls, place them in a glass jar,
(warm slightly), and see if any insects emerge, that would be interesting.
Nature is full of wonderful surprises!

David Bridge
Alexandria, VA



-----Original Message----- 
From: JPMyers AT aol.com 
Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM 
To: va-bird AT listserve.com 
Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding habits 

In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that
hang from the trees.  Does anyone know whether they are finding insects
there? Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i
don't see them there when its warmer and there is open ground.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA 



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Ornithology.  Please consider joining the VSO.
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Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. 

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Subject: Feb 5/6/7: the Big Snow - Giles County
From: THOMAS P BROBSON <flyngcow AT pemtel.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:19:17 -0500 (EST)
We've had all the usual suspects and a few extra so thought we'd share. 
Conditions:  We had a foot of powder snow last weekend, then an 
additional couple inches on Tuesday, then the big storm began before 
dawn on Friday the 5th.  Total snow on the ground (which included some 
sleet Friday night) is over 2'.  This mornings low was 18.  Temp now - 
32 w/ sun.

Purple Finches 10+ (we've had them in great numbers this year - we have 
a christmas tree farm and they love the fir cones and larch cones...and 
the feeders)

Pileated, Hairy, Downy, Red Bellied, Flicker woodpeckers - on feeders, 
suet, and staghorn sumac
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker drilling on sugar maples in yard - sap ran 
yesterday afternoon
Yellow-Rumped Warbler - that is hanging around the sap - assuming some 
insects are at the sap but it may be eating some sap too?

Bluebirds on sumac
Turkeys on sumac(wild to see)
Ravens on sumac
Crows on sumac

ON FEEDERS

White Crowned Sparrows
White Throated Sparrows
Song Sparrows
Field Sparrows

Black capped Chickadees
Carolina Chickadees (we get both - farm at 2400' elevation)
Titmice
WB Nuthatches
Carolina Wrens
Cardinals
Blue Jays
Towhees (numerous and hunkered down at under board feeders)
Goldfinches
Juncos (including one banded)
Morning Doves

Phoebe - solo - seems to be hawking bugs during the storm from our 
massive stone chimney where overwintering wasps, etc., hang for warmth 
from wood stove we heat with - we've observed this behavior many times)

Cooper's Hawk
?Perigrine Falcon? possible - there have been sightings in the county 
this season - this bird was moving fast as the storm was ending 
yesterday - in stoop - very good sighting, clearly falcon - but not long 
enough view to fully confirm
Red Tailed Hawk

Meadowlark
Red Winged Black birds - highly unusual for us this early - don't 
typically see them till early March here

We're still looking for redpolls or tree sparrows but no joy.  Our Fox 
Sparrows have fled it would seem but perhaps they'll show up later 
today.

Thanks,

Tom & David
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Subject: KING EIDER and other sea ducks, Va. Beach
From: Dorie_Stolley AT fws.gov
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 11:19:29 -0500

My husband and I took a windy, chilly stroll on the beach along the
Chesapeake Bay today at 10 a.m., just under and to the west of the southern
end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia Beach. There we saw one
male KING EIDER, and dozens of BUFFLEHEAD, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and SURF
SCOTERS. About 10 SANDERLING flew by, as well.

These birds were very close to shore, feeding heavily in the cresting,
white-capped waves along with many RING-BILLED GULLS.


 *          *           *          *          *          *          *
*          *
Dorie Stolley
USFWS/Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
4829 Old Harris Lane
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455


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Subject: Fox Sparrow in Falls Church area
From: Bill Bickel <wbdesign AT cox.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:48:12 -0500
Had one Fox Sparrow at backyard feeder yesterday, along with a Towhee  
and the usual suspects. Unfortunately, the grackle mob swooped in  
after awhile.
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Subject: Balcony Feeding
From: "ALDEN HINCKLEY" <ecologist123 AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:14:49 -0500
We live in a condo community which does not permit bird feeders for
fear that squirrels we come and invade our attics.  However, the
blizzard of 2010 has motivated us to establish an emergency feeding
station on our west facing balcony.

Lacking birdseed, we have improvised by using Grape Nuts, crumbs,
raisins and rice.  We have attracted many Juncos, too many Starlings &
English Sparrows, as well as Song Sparrows, Robins, & Cardinals but
no squirrels!

Dex & Nora Hinckley
Alexandria/Fairfax_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:54:59 EST
 
What a great suggestion, David--if any of the seed balls are within easy  
reach!  I hope someone is able to follow up on this and report back.
 
Thanks so very much for your insightful comments!
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
P.S.  I should point out that American  Wildlife and Plants: A guide to 
Wildlife food habits..is a wonderful book and  chock full of interesting 
information, but it should not be taken as the final word when you are deciding 

which plants to allow on your property.  Many of  the plants in the book are 
very popular with particular species at certain times  of the year, much 
more so than you might think from what the authors have  written.  And the 
listing of animals that use each plant is not always  complete.  For example, 
the stems of Touch-me-not (aka  Jewelweed--Impatiens capensis) is quite a 
popular food source for the American Black Bear in summer, but this bear is not 

even listed as making  use of that plant.  My point is simply that it pays 
to make your own  determinations by being observant and keeping  notes.     

 
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:43:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
bridgedavid AT earthlink.net writes:

One of  my favorite reference books is:
Martin, Zim, and Nelson, 1951.
American  Wildlife and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits ...

In which, I  was a little surprised to see that plant items are reported to 
make up 21  percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the winter season.
3 percent in the  Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and 8 percent in the 
Fall.
The plant foods  listed include:  sumac, poison-ivy, bayberry, holly, 
cherry, blackberry,  elderberry and sassafras.
some of these items are obviously seasonal, there  are very few blackberry 
or elderberry available in Feb.

For sycamores  (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed balls are utilized 
by only a few  wildlife species." 
and then list both Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch  [as noted by 
others on VA-birds] as species that eat the seeds. 

All of  this is interesting, but it does not answer your question "What are 
the  Phoebes eating?", insects or "seeds".
It does however suggest that  relationship between Phoebes and sycamores 
has not been documented (or at  least well documented).
It times of great stress, many animal species will  eat unusually food 
items.

Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore  balls, place them in a glass jar, 
(warm slightly), and see if any insects  emerge, that would be interesting.
Nature is full of wonderful  surprises!

David Bridge
Alexandria, VA


-----Original  Message----- 
From: JPMyers AT aol.com 
Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM 
To:  va-bird AT listserve.com 
Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding habits  

In both this snow storm and the  December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and  picking something of the seed balls that 
hang from the trees.  Does  anyone know whether they are finding insects 
there? Or seeds? It seems to be  a food resource of last resort, because i 
don't see them there when its  warmer and there is open ground.

Pete Myers
White Hall  VA  


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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: "Sally Snidow" <snidow AT lucketts.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:12:41 -0500
And speaking of stress-induced food issues (we have 30" of snow here in 
northern Loudoun County), an interesting event occurred yesterday that I've not 
witnessed before. 


In between turns at the feeders, there were many white throats, juncos, 
goldfinches, house finches, song sparrows, tufted titmice, chickadees, doves, 
jays, cardinals and a couple of red-bellied woodpeckers busily eating seeds 
that had fallen on top of the snow. Mixed among these gleaners were two crows, 
eating along with everyone else and seemingly minding their own business. They 
were not causing any fuss among the other birds. 


Suddenly and without any warning, one crow turned to the little bird right next 
to it, and with two quick stabs, killed it and completely consumed it within 
two minutes, then flew off to a nearby tree. It happened so quickly that I 
couldn't identify the victim, but I think it was one of the sparrows. 


The others didn't seem to notice and kept right on eating.

Sally Snidow
Lucketts, Virginia

  
  
 ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Bridge 
  To: va-bird AT listserve.com 
  Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:43 PM
  Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits


  One of my favorite reference books is:
  Martin, Zim, and Nelson, 1951.
  American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits ...

 In which, I was a little surprised to see that plant items are reported to 
make up 21 percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the winter season. 

  3 percent in the Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and 8 percent in the Fall.
 The plant foods listed include: sumac, poison-ivy, bayberry, holly, cherry, 
blackberry, elderberry and sassafras. 

 some of these items are obviously seasonal, there are very few blackberry or 
elderberry available in Feb. 


 For sycamores (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed balls are utilized by 
only a few wildlife species." 

 and then list both Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch [as noted by others on 
VA-birds] as species that eat the seeds. 


 All of this is interesting, but it does not answer your question "What are the 
Phoebes eating?", insects or "seeds". 

 It does however suggest that relationship between Phoebes and sycamores has 
not been documented (or at least well documented). 

  It times of great stress, many animal species will eat unusually food items.

 Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore balls, place them in a glass jar, 
(warm slightly), and see if any insects emerge, that would be interesting. 

  Nature is full of wonderful surprises!

  David Bridge
  Alexandria, VA


    -----Original Message----- 
    From: JPMyers AT aol.com 
    Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM 
    To: va-bird AT listserve.com 
    Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding habits 

 In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that hang 
from the trees. Does anyone know whether they are finding insects there? Or 
seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i don't see them 
there when its warmer and there is open ground. 


    Pete Myers
    White Hall VA 


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Subject: Back Yard Views
From: Les Brooks <ubrooks AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 20:46:07 -0800 (PST)
Hello Everyone!

Like a lot of you, I also had a bunch of birds on and around the back yard 
feeders today. I started a count early this morning and soon abandoned it as I 
could not keep up with birds coming and going. Sorry for the lack of counts for 
all birds. Feeders will be refilled in the morning. 


I observed the following.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker (3)
Downy Woodpecker (4)
White-Breasted Nuthatch (3)
Fox Sparrow (1)
Brown Thrasher (1)
Male Eastern Towhee (1) 
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Eastern Bluebird (10)  (Eating suet and unhulled Sunflower seed chips.)
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee 
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (3)
Pine Warbler (1)
Red-Winged Blackbird (9)
Blue Jay (2)
European Starling (8 +)
White-Throated Sparrow (10)
Song Sparrow (2)
Dark-Eyed Junco (8 and lost count)
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove (8 +)

Best of birding!  Stay safe out there!

Les Brooks
Glen Allen
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: "Margaret O'Bryan" <heron329 AT aol.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 20:02:37 -0500
I have seen phoebes at my place in Highland County eating  
blackberries, one of a long list of animal and mammal species that  
feed on the berries.  The bird list is long and is up at Bramble Hill,  
I don't remember them all, but the mammals I have seen include bears,  
deer, raccoons, foxes, and my Welsh Corgi.


On Feb 6, 2010, at 7:43 PM, David Bridge wrote:

> One of my favorite reference books is:
> Martin, Zim, and Nelson, 1951.
> American Wildlife and Plants: A guide to Wildlife food habits ...
>
> In which, I was a little surprised to see that plant items are  
> reported to make up 21 percent of the Eastern Phoebe's diet in the  
> winter season.
> 3 percent in the Spring, 5 percent in the summer, and 8 percent in  
> the Fall.
> The plant foods listed include:  sumac, poison-ivy, bayberry, holly,  
> cherry, blackberry, elderberry and sassafras.
> some of these items are obviously seasonal, there are very few  
> blackberry or elderberry available in Feb.
>
> For sycamores (Platanus sp.) they say "The pendant seed balls are  
> utilized by only a few wildlife species."
> and then list both Purple Finch, and American Goldfinch [as noted by  
> others on VA-birds] as species that eat the seeds.
>
> All of this is interesting, but it does not answer your question  
> "What are the Phoebes eating?", insects or "seeds".
> It does however suggest that relationship between Phoebes and  
> sycamores has not been documented (or at least well documented).
> It times of great stress, many animal species will eat unusually  
> food items.
>
> Perhaps you could collect a few sycamore balls, place them in a  
> glass jar, (warm slightly), and see if any insects emerge, that  
> would be interesting.
> Nature is full of wonderful surprises!
>
> David Bridge
> Alexandria, VA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JPMyers AT aol.com
> Sent: Feb 6, 2010 7:03 AM
> To: va-bird AT listserve.com
> Subject: [Va-bird] snow feeding habits
>
> In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes  
> were hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed  
> balls that hang from the trees.  Does anyone know whether they are  
> finding insects there? Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of  
> last resort, because i don't see them there when its warmer and  
> there is open ground.
>
> 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/
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: David Bridge <bridgedavid AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:43:14 -0500 (EST)
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Subject: Pine Siskin - Augusta Co
From: "Brenda Tekin" <bt8x AT virginia.edu>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:55:58 -0500
Enjoying a rare occurrence - University of Virginia canceling classes - we
kept off the treacherous roadways yesterday (Friday), remaining home and
venturing outdoors just long enough to trench out a pathway for the dogs,
fill the bird feeders and clean off the air return unit.  

 

This morning by 6 a.m. we had over 13" of new snow and a thick layer of
sleet.  This, on top of the remaining 3" we had from two back-to-back storms
this past week/weekend that dumped 9 and 3 inches.  It continued snowing
throughout the day today, heavy at times, and by 4:45 it seemed to be
slacking off.  We're now well over 60" of snow for the season down in our
neck of the woods.

 

Yesterday one Pine Siskin was at the sunflower chip feeder with flock of
Goldfinches and it was observed today.  

 

The Rough-legged Hawk remains in the area and was observed flying over our
house this morning.  We're within a very short distance from Hall School
Road and Quillen's.

 

Tomorrow will be spent digging out --again.  

 

 

Brenda

 

 

 

Brenda Tekin, Stuarts Draft --

Blue Mountains Nature Photography, including Birds of Virginia -
 www.birdsofvirginia.com
  brenda AT birdsofvirginia.com / (434)
962-4936

 

"Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures."

 
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Subject: Fox Sparrows in Chesapeake
From: Elisa Enders <elisaenders AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 17:09:44 -0500
I checked a reliable spot for Fox Sparrows this morning. This area is at the 
end of Willow Lake Road, in the Jolliff Woods section of Chesapeake. The 
closest major highway is I-664. I saw 12 Fox Sparrows and heard to others 
singing. 10 of the Fox Sparrows were feeding on a lawn. They were a little shy, 
but were quite obliging and VERY, VERY nice to see and hear. Other than 14 
Canada Geese and about 20 Ring-billed Gulls, the Foxes were the most common 
species. There also were American Robins, a Turkey Vulture, Northern Cardinals, 
Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, White-throated Sparrows, a Brown Creeper, 
and 5 Ring-necked Ducks seen. 


 

If anyone wants to visit this spot in the near future, be careful of the water 
that is flowing across the road near the intersection with Lake Shore Drive. I 
was nervous about driving through the water, so I put on my boots and walked 
through the water. Several pick-up trucks did successfully cross the flooded 
area. 


Elisa Enders

Portsmouth, VA


 		 	   		  
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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:20:55 -0500
Good point about the "mess free" mix.  I have mostly used it on apartment
balconies in the past, but insect eaters do seem to like even in less
extreme weather.

 

Jan

Richmond

 

  _____  

From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com]
On Behalf Of MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 3:13 PM
To: JPMyers AT aol.com; va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Phoebe snow feeding habits

 

American Sycamore fruit balls are composed of numerous nutlets that mature
in fall and persist throughout most of the winter.  American Goldfinches are
especially fond of them and start feeding on the nutlets later in winter as
the balls start to separate and fall apart.

 

As phoebes have small beaks designed for feeding upon tiny live critters, I
would think these birds were finding insects, spiders, or insect or spider
eggs wedged in among the nutlets rather than feeding upon the nutlets
themselves.  If you look through binoculars, you might see the orangey tufts
of hair attached to the nutlets if the birds are actually feeding upon the
fruits.

 

I believe folks should always have some shell-less sunflower seeds (known as
hearts or bits and pieces) on hand for insect-eating birds that are in
desperate straits.  These birds will eat sunflower meats but only if the
seeds already have the shell off or mostly off (their beaks are not fully
capable of breaking open the shell).  

 

In the winter of 1996, which was similar to what we are now experiencing, I
am certain I saved a Hermit Thrush's life because everything was iced over
for about 2 weeks.  That bird fed every day on sunflower meats on my deck.
It was practically impossible for it to feed on frozen ice-covered fruits or
to find live food on ice-covered plants and branches.   And a particularly
cold spring a few years ago brought a beautiful male Scarlet Tanager to my
feeder for several days to feed upon sunflower hearts!

 

I hope this isn't more info than anyone wanted.  

 

Sincerely,

Marlene

 

Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole Books) 
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
www.MARLENECONDON.com  

 

 

   

In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:04:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
JPMyers AT aol.com writes:

In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that
hang from the trees.  Does anyone know whether they are finding insects
there? Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i
don't see them there when its warmer and there is open ground.

Also... my flock of juncoes and field sparrows switch very predictably to a
different source of food in these deep snows.  They forage out in the open
field (which I hay only once a year, in late spring, so the grass/weeds have
lots of time to grow back for winter cover) where they flutter to the top of
tall grass stems and pull the seed head down to the ground with the weight
of their bodies.  they eat the seeds and then flutter to the next stem,
pulling it down.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA

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Subject: Horned Larks,Lapland Longspur
From: "eveline shank" <tallwhiteoak AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:17:28 -0600
Hello, va-birders

This snow created a lot of extra work. I was finally able to feed the larks 
this morning. It took awhile to draw a flock in to the feed. 

At three P.M. this afternoon there are about 185 Larks and one Lapland here.
        
                                         Mike Shank
                                 Rockingham County


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Subject: Re: Phoebe snow feeding habits
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:12:48 EST
American Sycamore fruit balls are composed of numerous nutlets that mature  
in fall and persist throughout most of the winter.  American Goldfinches  
are especially fond of them and start feeding on the nutlets later in winter 
as  the balls start to separate and fall apart.
 
As phoebes have small beaks designed for feeding upon tiny live critters, I 
 would think these birds were finding insects, spiders, or insect or spider 
 eggs wedged in among the nutlets rather than feeding upon the  nutlets 
themselves.  If you look through binoculars, you  might see the orangey tufts 
of hair attached to the nutlets if the birds  are actually feeding upon the 
fruits.
 
I believe folks should always have some shell-less sunflower seeds (known  
as hearts or bits and pieces) on hand for insect-eating birds that are in  
desperate straits.  These birds will eat sunflower meats but only if the  
seeds already have the shell off or mostly off (their beaks are not fully  
capable of breaking open the shell).  
 
In the winter of 1996, which was similar to what we are now experiencing, I 
 am certain I saved a Hermit Thrush's life because everything was iced over 
for  about 2 weeks.  That bird fed every day on sunflower meats on my  
deck.  It was practically impossible for it to feed on frozen  ice-covered 
fruits or to find live food on ice-covered plants and  branches.   And a 
particularly cold spring a few years ago brought a beautiful male Scarlet 
Tanager 

to my feeder for several days to feed upon  sunflower hearts!
 
I hope this isn't more info than anyone wanted.  
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
Marlene A. Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole  Books) 
Nature Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA  22932-2204
E-mail: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/) 
 
 
   
 
In a message dated 2/6/2010 7:04:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
JPMyers AT aol.com writes:

In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed  that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the  seed balls that 
hang from the trees.  Does anyone know whether they are  finding insects 
there? Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last  resort, because i 
don't see them there when its warmer and there is open  ground.

Also... my flock of juncoes and field sparrows switch very  predictably to 
a different source of food in these deep snows.  They  forage out in the 
open field (which I hay only once a year, in late spring, so  the grass/weeds 
have lots of time to grow back for winter cover) where they  flutter to the 
top of tall grass stems and pull the seed head down to the  ground with the 
weight of their bodies.  they eat the seeds and then  flutter to the next 
stem, pulling it down.

Pete Myers
White Hall  VA

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Subject: Dry Fork VA
From: Kristi Abbott <ktabbott AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:52:13 -0500 (EST)
Just had a pine warbler at one of the porch feeders. Just a beautiful little 
guy. 


Happy Birding!

Dry Fork
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Subject: new yard birds
From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:10:28 -0500
Had a red-winged blackbird at the feeder with the grackles yesterday in the
snow.  When the river was swallowing Riverside Drive recently, I had 3
cormorants fly over the yard.  Zero to very few ducks on the James along
Riverside these days, usually just a tiny handful of buffs and RNDUs, along
with the usual mallards, grebes and geese.  Watching a great blue perched on
a little dam in a pond during the snow had me thinking about the amazing
anatomy and physiology that keep critters functioning in extreme weather..
Have a great day and be careful out there.

 

Jan
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Subject: Chipping Sparrow in Herndon
From: "WILLIAM Brown" <billbr50 AT msn.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:58:00 -0500
A single Chipping Sparrow was among the more expected members of its family 
(Song, White-throated, Junco) feeding in my backyard today. I had good looks at 
the chipper, which was noticeably smaller than the others, had a 
rufous-streaked crown, a distinct black eye line, and clear breast. 


Bill Brown
Herndon_______________________________________________
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Subject: towhees and brown thrasher
From: "David R. Gibson" <davidrhorer AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:55:45 -0600 (CST)
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Subject: Brown Thrasher
From: "Larry Cartwright" <prowarbler AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:45:18 -0500
One bird just seen at our feeders in Annandale. A rare but certainly welcome 
winter visitor. 


Larry Cartwright
prowarbler AT verizon.net_______________________________________________
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Subject: Some Newly Posted Bird Pics
From: Paul Kane <pmkane AT mac.com>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:30:09 -0500
All,

Snowed in. If you have any interest in bird photography, you can check  
out some recently posted photographs to my birding blog, BIrd Sense.   
Recently posted photos include Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Flicker,  
Hooded Merganser, American Oystercatcher, Clapper Rail, and  
Semipalmated Sandpiper. My Oystercatcher capture sucks, but I kind of  
like the composite that I put up; though I have friends who don't like  
the composite one bit. Composites are not true nature photographs  
because non-native elements have been introduced to a capture. I think  
of composites as being an electronic doodle. LOL!

Find Bird Sense at http://www.birdsense.net/. Click into a photo to  
open it.

Paul Kane
Falls Church, VA

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Subject: starling as a meal
From: "MARC RIBAUDO" <moribaudo AT verizon.net>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:07:45 -0500
A red-shouldered hawk has just taken a starling from under our feeder in snowy 
Woodbridge. The red-shouldered, a gorgeous adult, has been hanging around the 
yard the last several weeks. We watched it fly into the shrubs behind the 
feeder, and it emerged with the starling. My day has been considerably 
brightened! 


Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge_______________________________________________
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Subject: Eagle Pix, OBWR Woodbridge Va
From: kerr kerr <kerr128 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 06:51:28 -0800 (PST)
Hello, 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerr128/

Eagle pix taken on Friday before the snow, very icey trail, tuff footing.  
Sparrow was taken when the temp was 19 degree.

Ty Kerr,


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Subject: more on turkeys
From: JPMyers AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 09:19:30 EST
I live right near Marlene... perhaps saw the same turkeys yesterday.   
Earlier in the week I found their fresh tracks in the snow and then found them 
by following the tracks.   The snow was deep and their tails left brush marks 
across the top of the snow.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: birding in patch of woods behind my house in Woodbridge
From: jacob barkett <jb94birds AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 09:18:35 -0500
To all,

I decided earlier this week that I would go birding in the same small patch
of woods behind my house snow or shine. So today I went. As I walked past my
feeders I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker, Some Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Song
Sparrow.I entered the woods not expecting to see or hear much. I trudged
through the snow pishing only twice. I thought I heard a wren but I never
confirmed it. I heard a few geese off in the distance. Red-bellied
Woodpeckers called to each other from afar. Last week I saw the pair, so i
was glad to come upon them again. Gulls flew in over my head, and looking up
into the snow wasn't much fun. I spotted a Fox Sparrow at my feeder as I
headed inside. I never saw much activity, but mostly head the birds or
caught a short glimpse of them. The totals are 16 species in 50 minutes:

Red-shoulderd Hawk- 1 (calling)
Ring-billed Gull- 99
Mourning Dove- 1
Northern Flicker- 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2
Hairy Woodpecker- 1
Blue Jay- 2
American Crow- 1
Carolina Chickadee- 2
Tufted titmouse- 1
White-breasted Nuthatch- 1
Song Sparrow- 1
Fox Sparrow- 1
Dark-eyed Juncos- 10
Northern Cardinal- 1
House Finch- 2

Jacob Barkett,
Woodbridge, VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: snow feeding habits
From: JPMyers AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 07:03:52 EST
In both this snow storm and the December dump I noticed that phoebes were 
hanging around sycamore trees and picking something of the seed balls that 
hang from the trees.   Does anyone know whether they are finding insects 
there? Or seeds? It seems to be a food resource of last resort, because i don't 

see them there when its warmer and there is open ground.

Also... my flock of juncoes and field sparrows switch very predictably to a 
different source of food in these deep snows.   They forage out in the open 
field (which I hay only once a year, in late spring, so the grass/weeds 
have lots of time to grow back for winter cover) where they flutter to the top 
of tall grass stems and pull the seed head down to the ground with the 
weight of their bodies. they eat the seeds and then flutter to the next stem, 

pulling it down.

Pete Myers
White Hall VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: [bcbirdclub] Bald Eagles
From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:10:08 -0500
Mark, send a couple of those eagles down this way. We would really enjoy them.

Roger Mayhorn
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Herdfanmark AT aol.com 
 To: va-bird AT listserve.com ; bristol-birds AT freelists.org ; 
NRVBirds AT googlegroups.com ; bcbirdclub AT freelists.org 

  Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 7:31 PM
  Subject: [bcbirdclub] Bald Eagles


  Greetings,
 I've been seeing 2 immature Bald Eagles about daily for the past week ( 2nd 
year and 3rd year), yesterday I watched 3 immature Bald Eagles as they fished 
and played over the lake. Today I saw 2 adult Bald Eagles circling over the 
lake which were later joined by a juvenile bird, they stuck around for a couple 
of hours before they moved on! 


  Good Birding
  Mark Muliins
  Claytor lake, Va_______________________________________________
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Subject: Purple Finch in Botetourt
From: "Nancy Young" <nanjyoung AT juno.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 21:17:46 -0500
I had a surprise visit from a female Purple Finch today.  She arrived in the
snowstorm along with a small flock of House Finch and ate from the nyjer
feeder on my deck for a few minutes.  First P. Finch I've had here since the
middle of December.

 

Nancy Young

Botetourt County
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Subject: Bald Eagles
From: Herdfanmark AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:31:58 EST
Greetings,
                 I've been seeing 2 immature Bald Eagles about daily for 
the past week (  2nd year and 3rd year), yesterday I watched 3 immature Bald 
Eagles as  they fished and played over the lake. Today I saw 2 adult Bald  
Eagles circling over the lake which were later joined by a juvenile bird,  
they stuck around for a couple of hours before they moved on!
 
Good Birding
Mark Muliins
Claytor lake, Va_______________________________________________
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Subject: Dry Fork VA
From: Kristi Abbott <ktabbott AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 19:30:15 -0500 (EST)
Had some new ground feeding visitors around the feeding stations today. A fox 
sparrow and a chipping sparrow. Also, a bird about the size of a eastern 
bluebird, grayish all over, with a grayish speckled breast, throat was buff. 

The bird was the only one of its kind that I saw feeding today. The only thing 
I could find in my guide that even resembled it was a juvenile red-winged 
blackbird, and I know this doesn't make sense. Any suggestions? 


Dry Fork, Va
Kristi Abbott_______________________________________________
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Subject: Woodcock(?) in Loftridge Park
From: Renee Grebe <grebebird AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:32:23 -0800 (PST)
My neighbor, their dog, and my husband and I just went out for a walk in the 
woods behind our house in Loftridge Park (there's a good 3"+ on the ground 
already!). 


As we neared home, around 5pm, my husband spotted a large bird on the ground in 
the woods. I climbed a small incline to get a better look at it and it was 
hunkered down in a less snowy part at the base of a bare tree. When it's head 
turned, it was clear that it was a WOODCOCK (or doubtfully a snipe?). Without 
binoculars, and with fog and snow on my glasses, I was having a hard time 
seeing any discerning marks. I simply couldn't tear myself away from looking at 
it, and although I wasn't very close, it spooked and flew away. When it flew, 
it's made a sound - something roughly similar to the whistling sound ducks' 
wings make when they fly. Made me think "woodcock". 


I certainly have never seen anything like that in these parts of this park - it 
was crazily exciting! I hope it stays safe in the woods during this storm. 

-Renee Grebe
 Alexandria, VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: GADWALL in Powhatan County 2/5/10
From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:16:33 -0500
Having just today posted to the Richmond list serve about the lack of ducks in 
our area this winter, around 4 PM this afternoon a male GADWALL put in a very 
brief appearance at our private lake before flying off. First at this location. 


Wendy Ealding
Powhatan County_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: wild turkey in Arlington & Crozet! / 5 Feb AM
From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:27:56 EST
I was astonished to see this message because I heard a turkey gobble about  
7:10 AM and 3 more separate times by 7:20 AM today in the snowstorm!   Even 
more amazing was hearing a turkey hen respond in the distance to the  final 
gobbling!!!!
 
I live in western Albemarle County.
 
Sincerely,
Marlene
 
 
Marlene A.  Condon (Author, The Nature-friendly Garden, Stackpole Books) 
Nature  Writer/Photographer/Speaker
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
E-mail:  MARLENECONDON AT aol.com
_www.MARLENECONDON.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com/) 

 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/5/2010 12:04:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
ssuter AT aaas.org writes:

A  coworker on his way to work this morning encountered a Wild Turkey 
wandering around at the corner of N 21st Street and N Scott Street in 
Arlington. 

  Seeking shelter from the predicted snowfall?

Sherman  Suter
Alexandria VA 2307  / Port Republic MD 20676
ssuter   aaas   org

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Subject: Re: wild turkey in Arlington VA / 5 Feb AM
From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:17:43 -0500
Hey, if they can perch on highrise balconies in New York City.....  :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com [mailto:va-bird-bounces AT listserve.com]
On Behalf Of Sherman Suter
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:59 AM
To: va-bird AT listserve.com
Subject: [Va-bird] wild turkey in Arlington VA / 5 Feb AM

A coworker on his way to work this morning encountered a Wild Turkey
wandering around at the corner of N 21st Street and N Scott Street in
Arlington.  Seeking shelter from the predicted snowfall?

Sherman Suter
Alexandria VA 2307  / Port Republic MD 20676
ssuter  aaas  org

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Subject: wild turkey in Arlington VA / 5 Feb AM
From: "Sherman Suter" <ssuter AT aaas.org>
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:58:49 -0500
A coworker on his way to work this morning encountered a Wild Turkey wandering 
around at the corner of N 21st Street and N Scott Street in Arlington. Seeking 
shelter from the predicted snowfall? 


Sherman Suter
Alexandria VA 2307  / Port Republic MD 20676
ssuter  aaas  org

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Subject: Riverside Park, Mount Vernon & Pohick Bay Regional Park
From: lucyuncu AT gmail.com
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:58:34 +0000
Taking the opportunity to bird before the snowstorm hits, I checked some  
areas along the Potomac and found a goodly number of ducks and species at  
Riverside Park near Mount Vernon as well as Pohick Bay Regional Park. I  
tried to check Mason Neck State Park but the area near the Visitor's Center  
overlooking Belmont Bay is closed until May because of construction. A  
complete list of birds and species follows. Note: At Riverside Park there  
were more than a thousand ducks in the middle of the river but the light  
was poor and the distance was great so it was not possible to positively  
identify them. They mostly appeared to be Gadwall, Ruddy Duck and Scaup.

Location: Pohick Bay Regional Park
Observation date: 2/4/10
Notes: mostly on opposite bank near Fort Belvoir.
Number of species: 22

Canada Goose 100
Tundra Swan 20
Canvasback 130
Ring-necked Duck 9
Lesser Scaup 100
Hooded Merganser 70
Common Merganser 150
Ruddy Duck 4
Great Blue Heron 8
Bald Eagle 6
American Coot 1
Ring-billed Gull 50
Herring Gull 30
Great Black-backed Gull 5
Downy Woodpecker 1
Fish Crow 1
crow sp. 3
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 5
Dark-eyed Junco 30
Northern Cardinal 4

Location: Riverside Park - CMN03
Observation date: 2/4/10
Notes: there were another 1000+ ducks in the middle of the Potomac which  
appeared to be mainly Scaup and Gadwall but the distance was too great for  
clear identification.
Number of species: 10

Gadwall 80
American Wigeon 8
Canvasback 4
Ring-necked Duck 35
Lesser Scaup 25
Common Merganser 145
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 120
Great Blue Heron 1
American Coot 15_______________________________________________
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Subject: Lab birds, Thursday Feb. 4th
From: "Bill Benish & Robyn Puffenbarger" <wcbenish AT verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:07:32 -0500
Hello-

Bridgewater College's ornithology lab was out and about Thursday Feb. 4th.
We did 43 miles across the county and tallied 31 species - some of the
students had a "life bird" in every view!  We started at Silver Mill Lake in
Dayton, went to the snipe spot in Pleasant Valley, onto "Lake Campbell" at
Massanetta Springs, then to Lake Shenandoah, around by Leonard's Pond
(frozen completely), then via Frieden's Church back to the College.

Our list:
Mute swan
Hooded merganser
Scaup sp. (likely lesser)
House sparrow
European starling
American pipit
Yellow rumped warbler
Field sparrow
Kildeer
Snipe (flash of wings)
Canvasback
Canada Goose
Redhead
Ring necked duck
Gadwall
Belted kingfisher
Carolina chickadee
Eastern bluebird
Fish crow
American coot
Northern cardinal
White crowned sparrow 
American goldfinch
Song sparrow
Blue jay
Downy woodpecker
Red bellied woodpecker
Mourning dove
Northern mockingbird_______________________________________________
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Subject: Highland County field trip
From: "Allen & Pat" <larnersky AT mindspring.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:23:29 -0500
Hello all

Here we go again . The Highland County trip for the Augusta Bird Club on Feb . 
6th is once again Cancelled due to the weather . Or should I say the up coming 
weather system . At this time there is no plans rescheduling this trip in the 
future . 


On the other side of the coin today the Rough - legged Hawk is still over on 
Hall School Rd. in the Stuarts Draft area of Augusta County . 



Allen Larner
Staunton ._______________________________________________
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Subject: Refuge closure during inclement weather
From: Daffny_Hoskie AT fws.gov
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 10:41:04 -0500

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying this time of year and the amount of crazy weather
we have been experiencing here in Virginia this past month.

I just wanted to send a courtesy email out to you!  We have decided to
close Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Elizabeth Hartwell Mason
Neck National Wildlife Refuge sometime on Friday and all day Saturday for
sure.  It is unclear just now whether we will be able to make it to the
refuges on Sunday or Monday to clear roads and parking lots - so it is also
likely (but not set in stone) that the refuges may be closed those two days
as well.

We will be doing our best to get the refuges back open as soon as we have
the staff available to get things done and we ask that you just bare with
us during this time.

Please be safe, fill up those feeders, and HAPPY BIRDING!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me
directly.

Daffny Hoskie
Deputy Refuge Manager
Potomac River NWR Complex
14344 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA  22191
(703)490-4979
(703)490-5631 [Fax]_______________________________________________
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Subject: Re: VSO trip to Outer Banks is ON
From: Lee Adams <leeloudenslageradams AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:39:16 -0500
OBX beautiful right now. On beach in front of Comfort Inn/Clarion
Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Great
Black-backed Gulls. A quick glance at Pea Island showed Tundra Swans, Snow
Geese, and various ducks. From the causeway between Nags Head and Roanoke
Island I watched three otters flushing the Hooded Mergansers, Redheads and
Coots gathered there. Heading to Alligator River NWR now. COME ON DOWN!

Lee Adams
On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 7:12 PM, Meredith Bell  wrote:

>  Hi VA-Birders,
>
> Today I confirmed with our trip leaders, Bill Akers and Jerry Via, that we
> WILLhave the field trip to the Outer Banks this weekend, as planned.
>
> Even though rainy conditions are forecast for Saturday, we could have some
> great birds - at least from the hotel balconies! Bill learned that alcids,
> especially Razorbills, have been seen "everywhere along the coast down
> there."
>
> We've notified the hotel that the trip is a "go" in case someone calls them
> to check. If you know of people who had plans to go but don't subscribe to
> this listserve, please pass the word along.
>
> If you signed up for Brian Patteson's pelagic trip on Friday, he still
> plans to go if weather permits. He will be contacting you directly if he
> determines that he needs to cancel.
>
> For those willing to brave the weather, we'll look forward to seeing you
> Friday evening! Temps Friday and Saturday are forecast for mid-upper 40s so
> at least it won't be cold until Sunday. Ever the optimist...
>
> Meredith Bell
> VSO Field Trip Co-Chair
> merandlee AT cox.net
> 804-642-2197
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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> Ornithology.  Please consider joining the VSO.
> http://www.virginiabirds.net/
>
>


-- 
Lee Loudenslager Adams
Suggett's Point Warsaw, VA
Fredericksburg, VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: weather in Highland County
From: Patti Reum <pareum AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 04:25:35 -0500
I know that many people are thinking of birding out this way this weekend.
At this point, we have about 4 inches on the ground and clear  roads.  I am
seeing Rough-legged hawks with great regularity.  Major storm predicted
tomorrow, as it is everywhere.  I will post what's happening road-wise.
Patti

-- 
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Subject: Glaucous Gull, Henrico Co.
From: Arun Bose <arun1bose AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:04:26 -0500
The Glaucous Gull was present again today on the Pond adjacent to 4900 Cox
Rd. around 12:30. Seemed to be fewer birds in total on the ice maybe 250.
Mostly Ring-billed with a few Greater Black backs and only 30ish Herring. 3
Lesser Black-backed Gull with 1 1st cycle, 1 3rd cycle, and 1 adult.

Arun Bose
Richmond

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Subject: Langley AFB waterfowl
From: Youkerd AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:28:56 EST
 
Around noon today, a nice variety of waterfowl were present  near the King 
St gate bridge at Langley AFB:  50 Ruddy ducks, 6 Goldeneye,  7 Redheads, 27 
Buffleheads, 17 Hooded mergansers, 3 Greater Scaup, 1 Canvasback,  3 Horned 
grebes, 6 Red-breasted mergansers and 1 Common loon. 
Dave Youker
Yorktown,  VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: VSO trip to Outer Banks is ON
From: "Meredith Bell" <merandlee AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 19:12:52 -0500
Hi VA-Birders,

Today I confirmed with our trip leaders, Bill Akers and Jerry Via, that we 
WILLhave the field trip to the Outer Banks this weekend, as planned. 


Even though rainy conditions are forecast for Saturday, we could have some 
great birds - at least from the hotel balconies! Bill learned that alcids, 
especially Razorbills, have been seen "everywhere along the coast down there." 


We've notified the hotel that the trip is a "go" in case someone calls them to 
check. If you know of people who had plans to go but don't subscribe to this 
listserve, please pass the word along. 


If you signed up for Brian Patteson's pelagic trip on Friday, he still plans to 
go if weather permits. He will be contacting you directly if he determines that 
he needs to cancel. 


For those willing to brave the weather, we'll look forward to seeing you Friday 
evening! Temps Friday and Saturday are forecast for mid-upper 40s so at least 
it won't be cold until Sunday. Ever the optimist... 


Meredith Bell
VSO Field Trip Co-Chair
merandlee AT cox.net
804-642-2197
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Subject: Goldeneye at Little Hunting Creek
From: Donald Sweig <skybirds.d AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 18:08:48 -0500
Drove down to Riverside on  the Potomac this afternoon to see  what was
there.  Lots of ducks, mostly pretty far out. Scaup, Ring-necks, Gadwall,
Ruddies, Coots,and a bunch of Canvas Backs;  also  had a super look at a
pair of close-in Hooded Mergansers. Then I walked up the trail to where
Little Hunting Creek comes out of the marina into the cove, at the stone
bridge. I crossed the parkway and scoped the marina.. Saw three Hooded
Mergansers ( 2 males,1 female); three Common Mergansers, (again 2 males and
1 female), but the big prize was an excellent scope view of a female Common
Goldeneye. I seldom see Goldeneye, so this one was a big treat for me.  The
light on all the birds in the marina was excellent.   Drove on down to
Vernon View and finally to Collingwood. Saw more Hoddies, many more Wideon,
more Gadwall, and more ruddies. Also saw six bald eagles including one on a
log in the river and two flying over, during the afternoon.  There was also
an egret in the creek by the golf course at Bellehaven.  Not too bad for
cloudy, kinda dreary day.
-- 
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va._______________________________________________
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Subject: Atlantic Shores
From: "McDowell Ann W." <annwmcd AT cox.net>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 16:17:58 -0500
I'm new to the area, from the Dyke Marsh area of Alex., living in the  
retirement community, Atlantic Shores off Dam Neck Road.  We border  
on Red Wing Lake and on a large marshy woods.  Monday (the sunny day  
with ground still covered by snow) we noticed lots of activity high  
in the pines and gums.  I went out and sat on a wooden bench.  It  
turned out to be a large group of 40-50 robins, and a smaller flock  
of redwings, and sev. mockingbirds.  As I sat, a belted kingfisher  
rattled in and perched above one of our 6-7 small lakes.  Alas the  
ice hadn't melted so he soon left.  As I sat still, I saw something  
out of the corner of my eye.  A mocker had lit on the back of my  
bench, about 20" away, eye to eye.  We looked at each other and I  
said "I don't have any berries" and she flew off.

Would like someone to come and help me bird this fruitful area.  We  
seem to have resident shovelers, mallards, hooded mergansers, great  
blues, cormorants.  In the edge of the woods I've seen a sharpie, red  
shoulder, harrier, a pileated and the usual feeder birds-- tho we're  
not allowed to have feeders, there is one--but I'm missing alot of  
smaller birds.

cheers,

Ann McDowell
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Subject: Dismal Swamp report/storm-related birds
From: nicholas flanders <flicknanders AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:45:09 -0500
Hey all,

 I checked Lake Drummond via Railroad Ditch entrance this morning 2/3/10; still 
alot of snow cover and there were multiple large sparrow flocks feeding heavily 
in the thawed portions of road within the Great Dismal Swamp. These flocks were 
comprised mostly of White-throated Sparrows and Song Sparrows, with lesser 
numbers of Swamp Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a couple of Field Sparrows. 


 I also noted 2 male Rusty Blackbirds about a mile into Railroad Ditch, nice 
views and one male was singing. Not much on the Lake this morning, although I 
did have numbers of dabblers (including Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, and Black 
Ducks) in/around the Lake during the hard freeze a few weeks ago. Roosting 
Tundra Swan numbers have remained low throughout the winter based on my 
observations. 


 Also, I found it interesting that a friend of mine (not a birder) discovered 
the freshly-dead, intact body of an American Woodcock in the Larchmont 
neighborhood of Norfolk on Sunday 1/31/10 the day after the snow-storm. The 
remnants of this bird were still present at the site yesterday when we checked. 


 Other than that, did alot of feeder watching in Newport News over the weekend 
resulting in a few unusual feeder guests for the location including a Fox 
Sparrow. Thanks, 


 

Nick Flanders.

Newport News.
 		 	   		  
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Subject: Iceland Gull and Pintail Norfolk
From: Andrew Baldelli <andrewbaldelli AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 09:52:45 -0800 (PST)
Sorry for this late post yesterday the Pintail that was found by Nick Flanders 
was present on Surrey Crescent. I also checked on the Iceland Gull east of 
Little creek Inlet the bird was still on the beach , low tide seems to be 
better to check for gulls here . 

 
Cheers
Andrew


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Subject: Birding at Mason Neck: RUBLs
From: "Desiree L. Narango" <dnarango AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:20:46 -0500
I birded the Bay View trail and paved trail to Great Marsh yesterday at
Mason Neck State Park. Activity was pretty good, especially at Bay View, but
no Rustys were found there. Highlights were a winter wren, and 7 bald eagles
(3 adults, 4 Imm), 5 of which were standing on the ice of the bay.

The paved trail had less passerine action but alot of ducks and blackbirds.
Patiently waiting for good views in the scope paid off as the blackbird
flock (~200 ind) contained at least 5 rusty blackbirds (3 females, 2 males).
When I first showed up I heard rusty song in the cacophony of red-winged
"con-qu-ree"s but I wasn't able to get a visual until I saw the brown
females atop a tree. The flock is mostly male red-wings and was very flighty
while a F/imm northern harrier and multiple eagles were in the area. There's
likely more rustys using the marsh, and it's probably worth a second look
during the blitz. I was surprised to find on e-bird that no one had
submitted a sighting there yet.

Ducks were in high numbers at all locations and quick stops at Riverside
park and Collingwood Picnic Area. Species included, american black duck
(large numbers at Great Marsh), mallard, ring-necked duck (raft of >150),
American coot, common merganser, hooded merganser, bufflehead, tundra Swan,
American wigeon, gadwall, canvasback, and ruddy duck (raft of ~140).

Desiree L. Narango
Fairfax, VA
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Subject: Barred Owls in Loftridge Park
From: Renee Grebe <grebebird AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 07:41:42 -0800 (PST)
I'm once again thankful to live next to Loftridge Park (just south of the 
beltway, Alexandria, VA). 


I woke up this morning at 6:15am to the sound of a single BARRED OWL hooting (a 
bit unusual variation I've never heard before, very staccato at first and then 
followed by the typical ending "all" - wooot wooot wooot wooot wawhoooo). It 
hooted about a dozen times before a second owl joined it and began caterwauling 
back and forth with it for about a minute. Then all was silent. 


They were close by, and I strained my eyes to find them in the very white 
trees, but I never did see them. I decided to get up and enjoy the beautiful 
morning by clearing my car off and at least one owl was still hooting on and 
off, up until about 6:45am. 


Then the daily morning murder of crows moved in and surely the owls moved out 
or fell silent. 

-Renee Grebe
 Alexandria, VA_______________________________________________
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Subject: Late Posting: Rusty Blackbirds at Dismal Swamp NWR
From: Elisa Enders <elisaenders AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:43:35 -0500
I saw 3 Rusty Blackbirds on 1/27/10, about 0.5 miles east of Jericho Ditch 
along Williamson Ditch, around 0930 hours. They weren't at all impressed by my 
imitation of their song. There may have been a few more Rusties -- they headed 
south and disappeared from view. 


 

Apologies for the late post. I have been staring at Red-winged Blackbirds and 
European Starlings cleaning out my feeders in the snow, while wishing for Fox 
Sparrows and developing a terrible case of "cabin-fever". I am so glad most of 
the roads are clear enough for me to feel comfortable to drive again. 


Elisa Enders

Portsmouth, VA


 		 	   		  
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Subject: Iceland Gull (kumlien's), Glaucous Gull, Lesser Black-backeds - Henrico Co.
From: Arun Bose <arun1bose AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:56:11 -0500
Hello VA Birders,
At about 12:30 there was 1 Iceland Gull (1st cycle kumlien's), 1
Glaucous Gull (1st cycle), at least 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull (one
1st cycle, 2 adults) off of Cox Rd in Henrico Co. There is a large
pond adjacent to the "Snag-a-Job" pavilion and 4900 Cox rd. Gulls are
coming and going from the Henrico Co. landfill so there is some
turnover. Also present were a few hundred Ring-billed, about 50
Herring and maybe 20 Great Black-backed.

Arun Bose,
Richmond.
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Subject: Voice: Greater Washington Area, Feb. 2
From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:23:05 -0500
FYI - this report is for sightings from January 26 through Feb 1and was 
compiled by Lou DeMouy & transcribed by Steve Cordle 

Joe Coleman

Hotline:            Voice of the Naturalist 
Date:               2/2/10
Coverage:           MD/DC/VA/DE 
Telephone:          301-652-1088 option 1 
Reports (voice):    301-652-1088 option 2 
        (email):    voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org 
Compiler:           Lou DeMouy
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. This report was completed Tuesday, February 2, at
8:40 AM.

Top birds this week are ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER* in VA and WESTERN
TANAGER* in VA.

Other birds of interest include AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, GREEN HERON,
geese, ducks including COMMON TEAL*, GREAT CORMORANT, raptors, rails,
SANDHILL CRANE, gulls, SHORT-EARED OWL, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, COMMON
RAVEN, wrens, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, LAPLAND
LONGSPUR, SNOW BUNTING, PAINTED BUNTING, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and EVENING
GROSBEAK.

An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER* was seen again Jan 26, 27, and 29 on Tim
Rd, Virginia Beach, VA. Birders are cautioned to be careful in this
area.

A WESTERN TANAGER* was reported on Jan 30 after several days of coming
to a feeder in Williamsburg, VA. This may be the same tanager, which
visited the feeder in January and February 2009.

An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was spotted on Jan 27 at Blackwater NWR,
Dorchester Co, MD. Another AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN flew over Hampton,
VA on Jan 31.

A GREEN HERON was reported at Ben Brenman Pk, Alexandria, VA on Jan
31.

Among geese sightings, a ROSS'S GOOSE was near the Visitor's Center at
Blackwater NWR on Jan 26. CACKLING GOOSE reports have come from
various locations. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen Jan 27 on Schoolhouse
Pond, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's Co, MD. Two CACKLING GEESE were
at Great Oak Pond, Kent Co, MD on Jan 27. Two CACKLING GEESE were
spotted at Bombay Hook NWR on Jan 27. Three CACKLING GEESE were
observed on the ice in front of the Black Hill Regional Park Visitor
Center on Feb 1.

A drake COMMON TEAL* (the Eurasian form of the Green-winged Teal) was
found at Truitt's Landing, Worcester Co, MD on Jan 26 and 28. A female
KING EIDER was spotted Jan 26 at the Ocean City Inlet, Worcester Co,
MD. About 60 COMMON EIDERS were at the Ocean City Inlet on the same
day. Two HARLEQUIN DUCKS were reported at the Ocean City Inlet on Jan
26 and on Jan 31. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was seen at Dyke Marsh,
Alexandria, VA on Jan 29. A BLACK SCOTER was spotted in the Bay Ridge
community, Anne Arundel Co, MD on Jan 28. Two REDHEADS were at
Dalecarlia Reservoir, Washington, DC on Jan 30.

An immature GREAT CORMORANT was located in Fort Armistead Pk,
Baltimore Co, MD on Jan 26. Four GREAT CORMORANTS were found Jan 27 at
Indian River Inlet, DE. On Jan 31 a GREAT CORMORANT was at the West
Ocean City Marina on Sunset Ave, Worcester Co, MD.

Two GOLDEN EAGLES were seen at Blackwater NWR on Jan 26. An adult
GOLDEN EAGLE was seen in the Swoope area near the Boy Scout Camp,
Augusta Co, VA on Jan 29. 

An immature, light phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was found along the
Wildlife Loop of Blackwater NWR on Jan 26. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was on
School Hall Rd, Stuarts Draft, Augusta Co, VA on Jan 29. 

A KING RAIL was reported at Truitt's Landing, Worcester Co, MD on Jan
26, 27, and 28. A KING RAIL was heard at Huntley Meadows Pk, Fairfax
Co, VA on Feb 1. A VIRGINIA RAIL was observed at Truitt's Landing,
Worcester Co, MD on Jan 27.

Four SANDHILL CRANES were spotted flying south over Back Bay NWR,
Virginia Beach, VA on Jan 31.

Among gull sightings, a first-winter ICELAND GULL was found at
Schoolhouse Pond, Upper Marlboro, Prince George's Co, MD on Jan 29. A
GLAUCOUS GULL was reported at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Anne Arundel
Co, MD on Jan 31. About 34 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were in the Washington
Channel at Hains Point, Washington, DC on Jan 30. LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULLS continued to be reported from many sites in the region during
the week.

A SHORT-EARED OWL was spotted at Deal Island WMA, Somerset Co, MD on
Jan 31.

A BLUE-HEADED VIREO was found on Purnell Crossing Rd about one mile
west of the Pocomoke River, Wicomico Co, MD on Jan 31.

A COMMON RAVEN was seen on Jan 28 flying over Davidsonville Pk, Anne
Arundel Co, MD. 

Wren sightings included two MARSH WRENS at the Dundee Creek fishing
area of Gunpowder Falls SP, Baltimore Co, MD on Jan 26 and a MARSH
WREN along Truitt's Landing Rd, Worcester Co, MD on Jan 31. A SEDGE
WREN was heard at Truitt's Landing, Worcester Co, MD on Jan 30.

Two ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS were on the Jacob's Farm property near Pt.
Lookout SP, St. Mary's Co, MD on Jan 28. A PINE WARBLER was reported
in a yard in Alexandria, VA on Jan 29. 

An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was spotted on Jan 31 resting on a hedge
before flying from the intersection of Wheatly and Oak Grove Rds,
Dorchester Co, MD.

LAPLAND LONGSPURS have been seen at a number of locations, often among
HORNED LARKS and sometimes with AMERICAN PIPITS and SAVANNAH SPARROWS.
Twelve LAPLAND LONGSPURS were reported in a flock of over 400 HORNED
LARKS on Coveys Landing Rd, Talbot Co, MD on Jan 31. A LAPLAND
LONGSPUR was spotted along New Design Rd, Frederick Co, MD on Jan 31
and two other LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen along Oland Rd, Frederick
Co, MD on Feb 1. Six LAPLAND LONGSPURS were found close to the unpaved
section of Sparks Rd, Caroline Co, MD on Jan 31.

About four or five SNOW BUNTINGS were found on Jan 31 along Raymond
Neck Rd close to Bombay Hook NWR, DE.

A female PAINTED BUNTING was at a feeder on Peach Street in Cape
Charles, Northampton Co, VA on Jan 30 and 31. 

Three RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were found on Jan 28 on Mill Swamp Rd, Harwood,
Anne Arundel Co, MD. The RUSTY BLACKBIRD BLITZ started Jan 30 and
extends through Feb 15.

An EVENING GROSBEAK was heard and seen in Silver Spring flying west
from Layhill Pk, Montgomery Co, MD on Jan 31.

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.

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Subject: Bald Eagle in Ashburn
From: Nancy W <nbwalker59 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:29:28 -0800 (PST)
This morning at 11:40 I was driving north on Ashburn Village Blvd past Farmwell 
Rd and looked at Alder Lake that is right against the blvd on the left. I 
always look at the pond - four times a day I drive by it. Sitting on the ice 
was an adult Bald Eagle about 50 ft from the shore. I turned around and parked 
next to the pond. The eagle was alert and looked strange to me. It was the 
closest I have been to one. Not 75 ft away from the eagle were the usual ducks 
(Ring-neckeds, Ruddys and at least one Redhead) and a few Ring-billed Gulls, 
also regulars, swimming in the only open water on that end of the pond. I only 
wished I had my bins and camera! 


Nancy Walker
Ashburn, VA


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Subject: Iceland Gull & Common Eiders Norfolk & Virginia Beach
From: Andrew Baldelli <andrewbaldelli AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:21:37 -0800 (PST)
Today a First year Iceland Gull was on the beach east of Little creek inlet . 
To view this part of beach you can park around Ocean View and 28th Bay street. 
There are some empty lots where you can view beach . On Atlantic Ave and 85Th 
st. 3 female Common Eider were in the surf , along with all three species of 
Scoter. 

 Also Holly Lake is frozen again , this is where I saw the Thayer's type gull. 
There were lots of gulls nothing of note , but the key is the ice here so any 
local birders should check this spot for gulls while ice remains. 

 
Cheers
Andrew


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Subject: Re: Interesting Gull Eating Method - Occoquan Bay NWR, Woodbridge
From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:53:29 -0500
Many gull species use this method for cracking mollusc shells on a hard surface 
- I've seen Herring Gulls do it on Beach Road in Chincoteague. Just have to 
hope your car isn't underneath at the critical moment! 



Wendy Ealding
Powhatan County



-----Original Message-----
From: david.boltz AT cox.net
Cc: va-bird AT listserve.com
Sent: Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:54 pm
Subject: [Va-bird] Interesting Gull Eating Method - Occoquan Bay NWR, 
Woodbridge 



Andy Bernick and I spent several hours on Sunday afternoon birding at Occoquan 
Bay NWR. We were fascinated by the method a few of the gulls were using to eat 
snails. They would take the shell in their bills, fly up 30-50 feet, then drop 
it on the ice, which cracked the shell and made the meat easy to get at. The 
ice was littered with snail shells. 

 
Waterfowl birding was very good. Highlights were 8 Common Goldeneye, 16 
Canvasbacks, 4 Redheads, and 105 Tundra Swans (on the ice across the bay near 
Mason Neck). All 3 Merganser species were seen and a good assortment of other 
ducks were present. Bald Eagles were extremely active. We witnessed what 
appeared to be a "food drop" from an adult to a juvenile in mid air after the 
juvenile had flown under the adult and appeared at first to be harassing it. 
The drop was successful as the morsel was caught in mid-air. 

 
Noticably absent was almost any other raptor activity, with a lone Sharpie 
being our only other sighting. Not even a single Vulture was seen. Red-winged 
Blackbirds were giving the "conk-a-ree" call near the marsh area. Savannah 
Sparrows were also in good numbers. 

 
Dave Boltz 
Alexandria/Fairfax Co. 
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Subject: American Pipits, Colonial Parkway
From: Taberzz AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:40:04 EST
After a snowstorm, the Colonial Parkway, near Williamsburg, is a very  
reliable place to find American Pipits. There are some close-up pics from today 

on the General Blog at   _www.cvwo.org_ (http://www.cvwo.org) 
 
There are often dozens of Fox Sparrows, too, though none  today.
 
 
Brian Taber
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory_______________________________________________
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Subject: Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk
From: Harry Glasgow <harry.glasgow AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 11:09:12 -0800 (PST)


Another  morning in the teens greeted the 6 walkers in the Huntley Meadows 
Monday Morning Birdwalk today.  It was not our most productive morning, but we 
did have some nice highlights from the 32 species seen.  We managed a 7 
woodpecker day;  a heard but not seen King Rail; many sparrows fliting about; 
and a Bald Eagle soaring overhead as I brough the completed list back to the 
Visitor Center.  Perhaps the greatest highlight was the morning itself - with 
the sun rise, the fading nearly full moon, and the cold crisp air, we were once 
again inspired by the nature around us. 

 
Canada Goose     11
Bald Eagle     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     4
King Rail     1
Ring-billed Gull     30
Mourning Dove     2
Red-headed Woodpecker     1
Red-bellied Woodpecker     4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker     1
Downy Woodpecker     6
Hairy Woodpecker     1
Northern Flicker     1
Pileated Woodpecker     1
Blue Jay     7
American Crow     40
Fish Crow     1
Carolina Chickadee     13
Tufted Titmouse     10
White-breasted Nuthatch     5
Brown Creeper     1
Carolina Wren     2
American Robin     2
European Starling     7
Eastern Towhee     1
Song Sparrow     9
Swamp Sparrow     5
White-throated Sparrow     30
Dark-eyed Junco     5
Northern Cardinal     12
Red-winged Blackbird     25
Common Grackle (Purple)     8
American Goldfinch     2

 
 The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since 
1985.  It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7AM, is free of charge, 
requires no reservation, and is open to all.  Birders meet in the parking lot 
at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA.  Be advised that 
during winter months the walk may be called off due to hazardous 
trail conditions.  Questions should be directed to the Park during normal 
business hours at (703) 768-2525.  




 
Harry Glasgow
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park 

 


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http://www.virginiabirds.net/
Subject: Interesting Gull Eating Method - Occoquan Bay NWR, Woodbridge
From: david.boltz AT cox.net
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:54:07 -0500 (EST)
Andy Bernick and I spent several hours on Sunday afternoon birding at 
Occoquan Bay NWR. We were fascinated by the method a few of the gulls 
were using to eat snails. They would take the shell in their bills, fly 
up 30-50 feet, then drop it on the ice, which cracked the shell and made 
the meat easy to get at. The ice was littered with snail shells.

Waterfowl birding was very good. Highlights were 8 Common Goldeneye, 16 
Canvasbacks, 4 Redheads, and 105 Tundra Swans (on the ice across the bay 
near Mason Neck). All 3 Merganser species were seen and a good 
assortment of other ducks were present. Bald Eagles were extremely 
active. We witnessed what appeared to be a "food drop" from an adult to 
a juvenile in mid air after the juvenile had flown under the adult and 
appeared at first to be harassing it. The drop was successful as the 
morsel was caught in mid-air.

Noticably absent was almost any other raptor activity, with a lone 
Sharpie being our only other sighting. Not even a single Vulture was 
seen. Red-winged Blackbirds were giving the "conk-a-ree" call near the 
marsh area. Savannah Sparrows were also in good numbers.

Dave Boltz
Alexandria/Fairfax Co.
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http://www.virginiabirds.net/