Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Virginia Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, May 9 at 01:17 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Whooping Crane,©Barry Kent Mackay

9 May Red crossbills, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and... ["Kevin Shank" ] 9 May Possible Neotropic Cormorant near Harper's Ferry [Rob Hilton ] 09 May Group visits to Occoquan Banding Station ["Joanna Taylor" ] 9 May Back yard views from 05082008 ["Ulysses A Brooks" ] 8 May Active Afternoon in Herndon ["WILLIAM Brown" ] 9 May Warbler Wave on Compton Mt ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 8 May Common nighthawks, 2 barred owlets, 4 WEVI eggs--the Wetlands ["JANICE FRYE" ] 8 May Hunter-Hacor Tract, Fairfax Co.; May 8 [Scott Baron ] 8 May northern virghinia teen bird-a-thon for ASNV this Saturday [Frederick Atwood ] 8 May Robious Landing Park, Chesterfield County 5/8/08 [WEalding ] 8 May Red-breasted Merganser, Chesterfield Co. ["Rachel Echols" ] 8 May Fleming Mountain - Barred Owl & Warblers ["Rexanne Bruno" ] 8 May Galts Mill and Joshua Falls Roads, Amherst Co. 5/8/2008 ["Sattler, Gene D." ] 08 May VSO Breeding Bird Foray ["Andrew Dolby" ] 8 May Yard birds ["Rachel Echols" ] 08 May Shenandoah NP - South River Falls Loop ["James Goehring" ] 7 May Re: A Conjecture regarding LOS White-throated Sparrows - Cohesive w... [] 7 May Red Crossbills - Reddish Knob, Augusta Co. 5/6/08 [] 07 May Rust Sanctuary (Leesburg VA) ["Gerco Hoogeweg" ] 07 May A Conjecture regarding LOS White-throated Sparrows - Cohesive winter groups? [] 7 May Chuck-will's-widows ["Kevin Shank" ] 7 May Extralimital: Delaware Wood Sandpiper [Rob Hilton ] 7 May Short note: Arlington [] 7 May CO MO at Henricus and Crewe's Channel today [] 07 May Red-shouldered Hawk young [] 7 May Eight Different Bird Walks in Loudoun County, May 10 ["Joe Coleman" ] 7 May Back yard today 5/7/2008 ["Ulysses A Brooks" ] 7 May Bobolinks and Thompson WMA, 5/7 ["Joshua Taylor" ] 7 May Bedford County, 5/3/08 ["Sattler, Gene D." ] 7 May Suck Mountain, Bedford Co, 5/3/08 ["Sattler, Gene D." ] 7 May Orioles, Buntings, Cuckoos and Warblers ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 7 May DUCK STAMPS: NOT “JUST FOR DUCKS” [debbie hahn ] 7 May Bedford County May 6, 2008 ["Rexanne Bruno" ] 7 May Titmouse in the house [WEalding ] 7 May Singing Male Dickcissel - Fincastle ["Zach Thompson" ] 07 May Re: LOS White-throated Sparrow [Sue Nedrow ] 7 May Monticello Park, Alexandria - YES! [Renee Grebe ] 07 May Re: [va-richmond-general] Re: LOS White-throated Sparrow [Lewis Barnett ] 7 May Voice: Greater Washington Area, May 6 ["Joe Coleman" ] 7 May Northumberland anhingas ["Tom Saunders" ] 06 May A birdy day for me [Barbara Houston ] 6 May Re: Bobolinks at Gravelly Point? [Randy & Sandee ] 6 May Re: LOS White-throated Sparrow [Jay K ] 06 May Re: LOS White-throated Sparrow [Arun Bose ] 06 May Huntley Meadows this morning ["Zvi Provisor" ] 6 May The Channels Natural Area Preserve [Thomas Hunter ] 6 May Bobolinks at Gravelly Point? [Lori Keeler ] 6 May RFI: Shenandoah NP, birding around RockFish Gap? [Ben Weinstein ] 06 May Thompson Wildlife Management Area--Cerulean, Kentucky, Hooded Warblers, and more [Walter Hadlock ] 6 May LOS WHITE-THROATED SPARROW? - still counting [WEalding ] 06 May Dutch Gap and Crewes Channel ["Tom & Lynda Blair" ] 6 May Bird Walk - May 10 Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, Russell Co, VA [Thomas Hunter ] Subject: Red crossbills, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and... From: "Kevin Shank" <birds AT naturefriendmagazine.com> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 14:16:39 -0400 We have had six red crossbills come repeatedly to the feeder this morning. Along with that, we have been seeing several rose-breasted grosbeaks, and an indigo bunting. Yesterday three scarlet tanagers flitted through the treetops. Here are some photos from this morning. http://www.dogwoodridgeoutdoors.com/v.php?pg=50 Kevin Shank Rockingham County Visit us at www.naturefriendmagazine.com. E-mail to best address: kevin AT naturefriendmagazine.com, editor AT naturefriendmagazine.com, photos AT naturefriendmagazine.com, Mail: Nature Friend Magazine, 4253 Woodcock Lane, Dayton, VA 22821. Phone: 540-867-0764. _______________________________________________ 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: Possible Neotropic Cormorant near Harper's Ferry From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 09:10:11 -0700 (PDT) Hi, I just saw this on MDOsprey. While the bird is apparently in Maryland, it's very close to both Virginia and West Virginia. There is one record, of the same bird, for Maryland and Virginia from fall 2006 (?) and none to my knowledge for West Virginia. Cheers, Rob Hilton Silver Spring, Md. ++++++++ Subject: Possible Neotropic Cormorant near Harper's Ferry From: Matt Hafner Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 11:20:09 -0400 I just received a call from Jim Stasz. He and Ed Boyd are viewing a very small cormorant that shows characteristics of Neotropic Cormorant on the Potomac River between Rt. 340 and the Shenandoah River. Here is the information that I got off the phone: sitting on a snag with 3 Double-crested Cormorant Very small subadult plumage that is uniform brown on the front yellow bill proportionally long tail There is a pull-off on the VA side of westbound Rt 340 where they walked to the river and are currently viewing the bird. Walking on the C&O Canal on the MD might also be an option. Good birding! Matt Hafner Bel Air, MD --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now._______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Group visits to Occoquan Banding Station From: "Joanna Taylor" <jandrtaylor AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 11:15:51 -0400 HI all, As you all know, visitors are welcome to come to the banding station and watch us at work. We enjoy having you come. However, standing room at the station is limited and we ask that if you are planning on coming with a group larger than a few people, that you call the refuge at 703 490-5631 to schedule a time. Also, a reminder - if your group is a large one you will probably need to get a group permit from the refuge office. Many thanks for helping with this and hope to see you at the station. Cheers, Joanna Joanna B. Taylor Arlington, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Back yard views from 05082008 From: "Ulysses A Brooks" <ubrooks AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 10:23:49 -0400 Good morning Birders! Hope everyone is OK after that storm system! Well, being stuck at home, waiting on deliveries, sure paid off yesterday. I had the following new birds visit the back yard, Two (2) Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. One disappeared into the trees and marsh while the other dined on sunflower seeds. Two images available for personal use Only here: http://www.fototime.com/C9621E40DE2A79C/standard.jpg and here: http://www.fototime.com/F39D49F978BFA12/standard.jpg Not the best quality as they were taken via the glass in the back window. One (1) Female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak showed up five minutes after the male departed. Her image, for personal use Only, is here: http://www.fototime.com/B3A99AE1660E6A6/standard.jpg Other new birds Gray Catbird 1 Brown Thrasher 1 Female Northern Flicker (Yellow Shafted) For visitors to my pay web site. A listing of new images can be found by placing your mouse over the "Menu" header at the top of the Home page. This will bring up listings titled Home, Contact, Download Dock, What's New and Site Help. Click on "What's New" and that will show you a listing of my latest images. I normally upload new photos each week, on Sunday. Anyhoo, all of you have a safe and fun weekend! Les Brooks Glen Allen www.natures-finest-photography.com _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Active Afternoon in Herndon From: "WILLIAM Brown" <billbr50 AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:14:29 -0400 Birds were unusually active in my small, wooded backyard in central Herndon this afternoon. Among the visitors were six warblers, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Scarlet Tanager, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The following birds were seen between 2:00 and 3:30 PM. Mourning Dove 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 1 Carolina Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 3 Gray Catbird 3 European Starling 6 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Chipping Sparrow 2 Song Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Common Grackle 6 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 House Finch 4 American Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 4 Bill Brown Herndon_______________________________________________ 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: Warbler Wave on Compton Mt From: "Roger Mayhorn" <mayhorn AT netscope.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 00:23:30 -0400 Hi All, Yesterday morning turned out to be a great birding morning on the Mountaintop Golf Course here on the mountain. While doing my weekly check of the bluebird boxes I found 33 species, 11 of which were warblers. The warblers were American Redstart 2 Blackpoll 1m (Only the 5th spring record for the species in the Buchanan, Dickenson area) Black-and-white Warbler 1 Black-throated Green 1f Chestnut-sided Warbler 1f Magnolia Warbler 1m Ovenbird 3 Palm Warbler 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1m Yellow-throated Warbler 2 Other notable species were Brown Thrasher 3 Chipping Sparrow 5 Gray Catbird 1 Indigo Bunting 4m Savannah Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 1 Tree Swallow 2 White-crowned Sparrow 1 Wood Thrush 1 Yellow-throated Vireo (Has been heard in the same area for weeks so believed to be nesting there) In the bluebird boxes I found 31 young bluebirds. I came home to find a still lingering White-throated Sparrow under the feeders. I also had 4 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the feeders and 1 female Indigo Bunting in the yard stream. In spite of the cloudy skies it was a great morning to be out. Get out and enjoy it while migration and nesting are in full swing. Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Common nighthawks, 2 barred owlets, 4 WEVI eggs--the Wetlands From: "JANICE FRYE" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 23:34:09 -0400 Just a quick visit while the weather was quiet yielded not 1, but 2 owlets practicing their climbing and flapping skills just up from where the pipeline intersects the Pony Pasture side of the creek. They used the begging whine in response to minimal hooting. First time I have heard that sound in awhile. Still haven't found young on the other side of the park, but a recent visit did include finding a pair of adults who seemed to be very busy making contact and preparing to hunt. I have seen one adult here hunt about 20 feet from my car when they had hungry young to contend with. Almost got clipped by that particular individual as it carried a frog to the owlet. The number of WEVI eggs had increased from 3 to 4. She seems a little skittish today. Don't know how she manages with all the dogs and the nest so close to the ground. Do male and female incubate? Maybe they are switching off some of the times when the nest is briefly empty? There are more common nighthawks in the meadow area tonight. Counting them is difficult-when it disappears over the treetops does it come back or is it a new bird? At least 5 visible at one time. Acadian flycatchers heard in several different locations. Haven't heard the GHOW hoot in awhile. Hope we get some rain in there tonight-even the boardwalk area is very dried out today. Jan _______________________________________________ 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: Hunter-Hacor Tract, Fairfax Co.; May 8 From: Scott Baron <brnpelican AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 20:09:00 -0700 (PDT) I visited the Hunter-Hacor tract from 6:15 - 8:30pm tonight. At least one COMMON NIGHTHAWK flew high overhead, calling. I don't believe many have been reported in No. Va. yet. There are lots of ticks so be careful if you visit. If anyone here knows their wildflowers, can you please email me off the list? On Sunday I found an orange 4-petaled flower w/ alternate, divided leaves and I can't figure out what species it is. Good night, Scott Baron Fairfax, Va. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ 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: northern virghinia teen bird-a-thon for ASNV this Saturday From: Frederick Atwood <fredatwood AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:31:38 -0700 (PDT) Dear Teen Birders, We postponed our bird-a-thon from last week to this week (May 10) so ace birder Tim Hodge could join us. We will have two birding sessions this Saturday, and any students in grades 7-12 are welcome to join us. Both sessions will depart from and return to Flint Hill School West campus 3320 Jermantown Rd, Oakton (Fairfax County). The morning session will depart at 6 AM and return about noon. The afternoon session will depart about 1:30 after birding a little around the FHS campus and will return around 6 PM. PLease let Mr Atwood know if you plan to attend. There are still a few spots open during each time period. We have spare binoculars you can use. It would be wonderful if you teen-participants could sign up sponsors to support the excellent work of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. So far pledges range from 5 cents to $2 per species. The sponsor form is available on the http://www.audubonva.org/ website or I could email it to you as an attachment. If any one out there is reading this and wants to pledge for our teens' efforts on behalf of ASNV please let me know. We expect to see between 75 and 100 species. The Northern Virginia Teen Bird Club is sponsored by Flint Hill School and The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. There is no charge to participate on NVTBC field trips. All the best Mr Atwood Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood AT yahoo.com Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124 703-242-1675 http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood http://www.flinthill.org http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Robious Landing Park, Chesterfield County 5/8/08 From: WEalding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 17:42:35 -0400 Highlights of this late morning (rain-delayed) visit were BARRED OWL which was causing a great commotion among the robins, Wood Thrushes and Cardinals, a calling BOBWHITE and several signs of breeding activity such as food and nesting material collection, and courtship feeding Location: Robious Landing Park CRI13 Observation date: 5/8/08 Number of species: 37 Mallard 2 Northern Bobwhite X Mourning Dove X Barred Owl 1 causing great agitation among the robins, Wood Thrushes and Cardinals Red-headed Woodpecker X Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 collecting food Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker X Eastern Wood-Pewee X Acadian Flycatcher X Eastern Phoebe X Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Yellow-throated Vireo X Red-eyed Vireo X Blue Jay 2 American Crow X Carolina Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 White-breasted Nuthatch X Carolina Wren 2 one collecting nesting material Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Eastern Bluebird 1 Veery 1 Wood Thrush X American Robin 1 Gray Catbird 1 Cedar Waxwing 3 Northern Parula X Ovenbird 1 Common Yellowthroat X Summer Tanager X Scarlet Tanager 2 Chipping Sparrow X Northern Cardinal 11 several pairs, one pair courtship feeding Brown-headed Cowbird X American Goldfinch X This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Wendy Ealding_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Red-breasted Merganser, Chesterfield Co. From: "Rachel Echols" <rlechols AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 16:57:11 -0400 Hi all, I saw what I believe to be a red-breasted merganser in the lake behind my house about an hour ago. It was bathing, so I did not see the crest (it was slicked down). It was gray-brown on the back, with a little bit of white along the wings. Most notably, there was no white patch on the chin. The feet and bill were orange, and the bill was very long and thin. Unfortunately, by the time I'd ran to the house for my camera, I couldn't relocate the bird. A neighbor was getting out his mower for the backyard and may have spooked the bird. Rachel Echols Chester, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fleming Mountain - Barred Owl & Warblers From: "Rexanne Bruno" <bruno AT lynchburg.edu> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:49:31 -0400 Jo Wood, Phyllis Jones, Cinda Hurt and I birded around Fleming Mountain from Rocky Mountain Road (Local Route 657 which runs into US 501 below Coleman Falls) in Bedford County this morning, May 8, 2008. There were a few raindrops but it was mostly dry with the sun even trying to break through the clouds mid-morning. We only saw/heard 36 species but it was definitely a quality not quantity birding day. Personal highlights: FOS (first-of-season) YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, SCARLET TANAGER, WORM-EATING WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, and BARRED OWL. We saw/heard eight warblers; the others recorded were: NORTHERN PARULA, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, OVENBIRD, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. A brilliant male SCARLET TANAGER was very cooperative; he sang and flitted about in the top of one tree for at least five minutes while everyone got their binocs on him. We would have missed the BARRED OWL if we hadn't backed up to look at an unusual tree; there it was sitting at eye-level in that tree for all of us to see. Surprisingly we only saw one cowbird all morning. Complete species list follows. Rexanne Bruno Lynchburg, VA ----------------------------- Location: Fleming Mtn-Rocky Mtn Rd Observation date: 5/8/08 Number of species: 36 Canada Goose X Turkey Vulture 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Barred Owl 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker X Northern Flicker X Pileated Woodpecker X Eastern Wood-Pewee X Eastern Phoebe X Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo X Blue Jay X American Crow X Barn Swallow X Carolina Chickadee X Tufted Titmouse X Carolina Wren X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Eastern Bluebird X Wood Thrush X European Starling X Northern Parula 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Worm-eating Warbler 1 Ovenbird 1 Louisiana Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat X Scarlet Tanager 1 Eastern Towhee X Chipping Sparrow X Field Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X Indigo Bunting X Brown-headed Cowbird 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA)_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Galts Mill and Joshua Falls Roads, Amherst Co. 5/8/2008 From: "Sattler, Gene D." <gsattler AT liberty.edu> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:39:34 -0400 I spent a little under two hours early this morning birding southern Amherst Co along the James River under cloudy skies and a few sprinkles. There was a little better representation of warblers than last Saturday in the wooded areas, but the highlight were four Summer Tanagers along Joshua Falls Road, a good number for along a two mile stretch around here these days. Gene Sattler Lynchburg Location: Galts Mill and Joshua Falls Roads, Amherst Co. Observation date: 5/8/08 Number of species: 57 Canada Goose 2 Double-crested Cormorant 1 Green Heron 1 Killdeer 1 Rock Pigeon 6 Mourning Dove 5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Chimney Swift 4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 White-eyed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 20 American Crow 12 Tree Swallow 4 Barn Swallow 5 Carolina Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 5 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Eastern Bluebird 4 Wood Thrush 2 American Robin 1 Northern Mockingbird 4 European Starling 2 Yellow Warbler 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 2 Prairie Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 2 American Redstart 1 Worm-eating Warbler 1 Ovenbird 3 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 3 Hooded Warbler 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 4 Summer Tanager 4 Scarlet Tanager 4 Eastern Towhee 6 Chipping Sparrow 4 Field Sparrow 2 Grasshopper Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 12 Blue Grosbeak 6 Indigo Bunting 16 Red-winged Blackbird 18 Eastern Meadowlark 6 Common Grackle 15 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 Orchard Oriole 4 Baltimore Oriole 4 American Goldfinch 7 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: VSO Breeding Bird Foray From: "Andrew Dolby" <adolby AT umw.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 11:16:43 -0400 It's not too late to sign up for this June's canoe-based Breeding Bird Foray! About half the river segments have not yet been spoken for. If you are interested, please visit the following web page: http://fredvso.umwblogs.org/ Thank you, Andrew Dolby, VSO Research Chair Sergio Harding, VDGIF ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Department of Biological Sciences University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Phone: 540-654-1420 FAX: 540-654-1081 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ _______________________________________________ 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: Yard birds From: "Rachel Echols" <rlechols AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 08:56:16 -0400 The past two days I've had 3 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and two SOLITARY SANDPIPERS seen from the yard. They are feeding on the muddy edges of the lake that borders my backyard. I've also had one GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER here almost constantly for the past 5 days. There are some great tree holes in the woods behind my house--I'm hoping maybe this one will stay and nest. Here's a link to a pic of the solitary: http://flickr.com/photos/rlechols/2476065512/ For anyone interested, here are links to pics of some of the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS visiting my yard: http://flickr.com/photos/rlechols/2474011851/ http://flickr.com/photos/rlechols/2474011843/ And, pics of the male HOUSE WREN, who as of yet is still singing daily and awaiting the arrival of a female: http://flickr.com/photos/rlechols/2476065510/ Happy Birding, Rachel Echols Chester, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Shenandoah NP - South River Falls Loop From: "James Goehring" <jgoehrin AT umw.edu> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 08:47:57 -0400 Took Tuesday, the day after turning my grades in, to hike and bird the South River Falls Tail in Shenandoah National Park. Sorry for the tardy post. It was a gorgeous day, and the woods were alive with birds. Redstarts were everywhere. The Chestnut-sided Warbler that nest sat the start of the trail were there as always, and I picked up a nice Kentucky Warbler in the same area. Found a total of eleven warbler species. It was a nice end to the semester! Totals were: Black Vulture 1 Turkey Vulture 2 Ruffed Grouse 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Acadian Flycatcher 8 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Phoebe 3 Red-eyed Vireo 37 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 1 Carolina Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 3 Veery 1 Wood thrush 16 Gray Catbird 5 American Robin 1 Chesnut-sided Warbler 1 Magnolia Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Cerulean Warbler 3 Black-and-white Warbler 1 American Redstart 85 Ovenbird 24 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Hooded Warbler 5 Canada Warbler 3 Kentucky Warbler 1 Scarlet Tanager 11 Northern Cardinal 4 Eastern Towhee 14 White-throated Sparrow 1 Rown-headed Cowbird 7 American Goldfinch 10+ James E. Goehring Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA 22401 _______________________________________________ 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: A Conjecture regarding LOS White-throated Sparrows - Cohesive w... From: StephenDEccles AT aol.com Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 22:45:44 EDT Seems a reasonable conjecture. Another anecdote. In my local patch (Annandale, Fairfax County) we had plenty of WTSP on Friday, May 2, but only one in a whole day's birding on May 3. Since then, I have only seen odd individuals. Stephen Eccles **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Red Crossbills - Reddish Knob, Augusta Co. 5/6/08 From: MikeLPurdy AT aol.com Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 22:21:39 EDT I'm posting this for Mike Donahue with the US Forest Service. Yesterday, Tues. 5/6/08, Mike, while heading to a prescribed burn, saw 4 Red Crossbills on Reddish Knob. There were 2 males and 2 females - all were in the middle of the road picking up grit. Mike Purdy Roanoke, VA. **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)_______________________________________________ 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: Rust Sanctuary (Leesburg VA) From: "Gerco Hoogeweg" <gercoh AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 22:16:02 -0400 Greetings; Together with one of my co-workers I birded at the ANS Rust Sanctuary (Leesburg in Northern Virginia) during lunch. It was fairly quiet and we only saw a few warblers (Yellow-Rumped, Black-Throated Blue, Yellow, and Common Yellowthroat). The highlight was a lingering Red-breasted Nuthatch. Also, plenty White-throated Sparrows were seen and heard. Gerco Vienna, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: A Conjecture regarding LOS White-throated Sparrows - Cohesive winter groups? From: steveyoung AT aol.com Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 21:17:17 -0400 I continue to have no hearings or sightings of White-throateds within my very localized area of Arlington since last Friday, May 2, so I am holding to my earlier "LOS." Yet I have seen the numerous reports of non-LOS including well south of here, and this has spurrred me to reflect. Upon reflection, I realize that I have the strong impression that here was a sort of local band of White-throateds (on the order of 50-100 or so birds) that seemed to take up winter residence in my neighborhood and part of adjoining Glencarlyn Park/Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. The impression of winter site fidelity was formed by fairly reliable sightings and hearings of the birds in the same places at the same times. Especially of note would be evening round-ups of the birds calling back and forth from the same shelter spots while the light faded. *ALL* of these birds are gone. So my conjecture is that there are loose assemblages at least of White-throateds that hang together in winteri ng grounds and perhaps then head north together, and that my local band has done so; and that it happens that I haven't caught any transient migrants passing through since "my" band left after Friday. I have not researched to examine whether there is any documented support for my conjecture, but I offer it knowing that the community wisdom of VA-Bird will weigh in on this. Comments welcome and of particular interest to me whether anyone has documented anything that supports or refutes my conjecture. Cheers, ??? ?? Steve ??? ?? Glencarlyn, Arlington_______________________________________________ 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: Chuck-will's-widows From: "Kevin Shank" <birds AT naturefriendmagazine.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 20:42:21 -0400 I just came in from listening on the neighbor's hill and heard at least two different chuck-will's-widows singing at the same time. It could have been three different birds; it was difficult to tell on that. Kevin Shank Rockingham County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Extralimital: Delaware Wood Sandpiper From: Rob Hilton <aimophila10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:37:52 -0700 (PDT) Ex-Nothern Virginian Sharon Lynn found a Wood Sandpiper at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Broadkill Beach, Delaware, on Monday. This is a first record for the Mid Atlantic area, not just Delaware. For details, see the Delaware listserv at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/DEBD.html. To get to Prime Hook NWR, go east on Del. Rt. 16 from Del. Rt. 1, a few miles northwest of Lewes and southeast of Milford. Pictures by Jeff Gordon are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffgyr/sets/72157604940005597/ The bird is apparently a little skittish, so please be careful around it. Cheers, Rob Hilton Silver Spring, Md. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ 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: Short note: Arlington From: Ntrlst1 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 19:57:29 EDT Stuart Merrell Just checking our neighborhood N 27th Road & Lexington Street: A nice male Scarlet Tanager in a tall pin oak on Lexington opposite cul-de-sac and heard a buzz-buzz-buzz in our neighbor's back yard, checked it out against my birding CD and it was exactly right for a golden-winged warbler! Would be a life bird! Will have to track it down for a sighting. **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)_______________________________________________ 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: CO MO at Henricus and Crewe's Channel today From: Gwbirds37 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 19:43:46 EDT _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Red-shouldered Hawk young From: markjohnson27 AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 23:43:51 +0000 Hello, The Red-shouldered Hawk pair have 3 young. I saw her feeding the young today 5-7-08. Mark Johnson Mad. Hgts. Va_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Eight Different Bird Walks in Loudoun County, May 10 From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rcn.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:09:17 -0400 Just wanted to send out this reminder: This Saturday the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is sponsoring 8 walks and a bird count for International Migratory Bird Day. While some of these locations are regularly birded, others are not. All the walks start at 8 am with one exception - see Morven Park. Most will last approx 2 to 3 hours. - Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, led by Larry Meade, in central Loudoun. - Bles Park, led by Mike Friedman, in eastern Loudoun. - Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, led by Gerry Hawkins & Joe Coleman, in northwestern Loudoun. - Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project, led by Bruce Hill & Cheri Schneck, in central Loudoun. - Horsepen Preserve, led by Andy Rabin. Email for directions to the meeting place. - Institute Farm & Berryman Lane (Aldie), led by Emily Southgate & Carole Miller and our first public walk at this location. The Institute Farm is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and has approx. 400 acres of scrub and meadow that is primarily used for training beagles. - Morven Park, led by Bruce Hill & Cheri Schneck. This walk will start later in the morning (about 10:15 am) - email for directions to the meeting place. We bird the forest on the western edge of the estate and NOT the grounds around the house. - Phillips Farm, led by John & Bronwen Souders and Dale Ball, adjacent to Waterford and along the Catoctin. This is our first public bird walk at this location. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is also sponsoring an International Migratory Bird Day count that day and could use several more birders for the count. If int'd pls contact me at joecoleman AT rcn.com or 540-554-2542. While it isn't necessary to sign-up for most of the walks (directions are needed for some of the locations) we would appreciate it so we can give the leaders an idea how many people to expect. More information on LWC & the walks can be found at http://www.loudounwildlife.org/IMBD.htm. Good birding! Joe Coleman 540-554-2542 or joecoleman AT rcn.com_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Back yard today 5/7/2008 From: "Ulysses A Brooks" <ubrooks AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:46:00 -0400 Hello VA Birders, Best of birding to all of you! In addition to the normal complement of birds about the yard, I had an adult White-Crowned Sparrow perched on a limb. (No images on the web site...yet. I'm the guilty party, I scared it off trying to get a photo. Fingers/toes crossed that it returns.) I also still have 3 White-Throated Sparrows feeding on the ground in the back yard. Have a great day! Les Brooks Glen Allen www.natures-finest-photography,com _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Bobolinks and Thompson WMA, 5/7 From: "Joshua Taylor" <waterwagen AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:37:40 -0400 Thought some might be interested to know that I easily found the BOBOLINKs reported the other day on Leeds Manor Road. After that I visited Thompson WMA and birded a couple of the trails along Freezewood Rd. Nothing too spectacular, but had relatively numerous CERULEAN WARBLER (saw 6 and heard significantly more), REDSTART (at least 15), NORTHERN PARULA, OVENBIRD, HOODED WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED BLUE. A fellow birder I tagged along with also thought he heard a few more species which we didn't actually get in view. Great views of 3 different male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Also, more SCARLET TANAGERS than I have seen in one area in my life. AT LEAST 12 along a section of the Trilium Trail. *Josh Taylor Round Hill, VA*_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Bedford County, 5/3/08 From: "Sattler, Gene D." <gsattler AT liberty.edu> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:59:31 -0400 Jim Elder and Karl Huebner covered the Claytor Nature Center property and Three Otters and Parker Roads in Bedford Co. last Saturday morning as part of our efforts for the Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg Bird Clubs' Big Spring Day. I added a few observations to theirs in the afternoon after the lunchtime Talley-Up. Highlights were two Osprey and a Loggerhead Shrike. The complete list follows. Gene Sattler Lynchburg Location: Bedford County Observation date: 5/3/08 Number of species: 61 Canada Goose 19 Wild Turkey 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Black Vulture 20 Turkey Vulture 21 Osprey 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Killdeer 2 Spotted Sandpiper 7 Rock Pigeon 3 Mourning Dove 8 Chimney Swift 8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 10 Downy Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker 1 Eastern Phoebe 5 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Eastern Kingbird 3 Loggerhead Shrike 1 White-eyed Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 5 Blue Jay 9 American Crow 14 Purple Martin 9 Tree Swallow 4 Barn Swallow 12 Carolina Chickadee 9 Tufted Titmouse 3 Carolina Wren 6 House Wren 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 8 Eastern Bluebird 9 American Robin 17 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 7 Brown Thrasher 2 European Starling 14 Yellow Warbler 4 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 15 Palm Warbler 1 Louisiana Waterthrush 2 Common Yellowthroat 1 Scarlet Tanager 2 Eastern Towhee 3 Chipping Sparrow 16 Field Sparrow 4 Grasshopper Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 13 Indigo Bunting 15 Red-winged Blackbird 24 Eastern Meadowlark 3 Common Grackle 41 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Orchard Oriole 8 Baltimore Oriole 4 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 25 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Suck Mountain, Bedford Co, 5/3/08 From: "Sattler, Gene D." <gsattler AT liberty.edu> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:54:15 -0400 Norm Porter and I covered Suck Mountain last Saturday morning as part of the Big Spring Day held jointly by the Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg Bird Clubs. Like other groups we found a paucity of migrants around that morning, but enjoyed the morning's birding nonetheless. Our highlights were a Chuck-will's-widow for the second year in a row, heard at the same location as last year, several Whip-poor-wills, a Barred Owl, and a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird finishing up a nest. The complete list follows. Gene Sattler Lynchburg, VA Location: Suck Mountain, Bedford Co. Observation date: 5/3/08 Number of species: 52 Wild Turkey 1 Black Vulture 2 Turkey Vulture 5 Mourning Dove 5 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2 Eastern Screech-Owl 2 Barred Owl 1 Chuck-will's-widow 1 Whip-poor-will 6 Chimney Swift 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 9 Downy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 4 Eastern Phoebe 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Blue-headed Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 30 Blue Jay 97 American Crow 9 Tree Swallow 2 Carolina Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 8 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Carolina Wren 7 House Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 Eastern Bluebird 2 Wood Thrush 18 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Mockingbird 1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Pine Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Worm-eating Warbler 7 Ovenbird 6 Louisiana Waterthrush 1 Hooded Warbler 3 Yellow-breasted Chat 1 Scarlet Tanager 10 Eastern Towhee 2 Chipping Sparrow 5 Field Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 12 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3 Blue Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting 8 Brown-headed Cowbird 8 American Goldfinch 4 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Orioles, Buntings, Cuckoos and Warblers From: "Roger Mayhorn" <mayhorn AT netscope.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:40:03 -0400 Hi All, Yesterday was a good day for birds in our yard, and for the first time we had a bright, male Baltimore Oriole on a feeder with a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The 5 or 6 Grosbeaks that have been coming to the feeders for a week or more were still here, and a male Baltimore Oriole investigated the platform seed feeder before going to the orange halves we put out for them. I got a not great photo of the two of them on the same feeder. If the Oriole had stayed another 5 seconds on the seed feeder there would have been an Indigo Bunting, a Baltimore Oriole and a Grosbeak on the feeder at the same time. Imagine all that color. Shortly after the male Baltimore came a female came in to feed on the oranges. While working in the yard I heard the distinctive call of Yellow-billed Cuckoo almost on top of me. It flew into a walnut tree where it caught a large caterpillar and gulped it down. A female Orchard Oriole came into the stream to drink, and so did a male Indigo Bunting and a male Yellow Warbler. They really seemed to enjoy the water. Also visiting the stream were an American Redstart and a male Yellow-rumped Warbler. Photos of some of the birds mentioned can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/compton_mt_5_6_08 Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: DUCK STAMPS: NOT “JUST FOR DUCKS” From: debbie hahn <hahndebbie AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 12:58:48 -0400 DUCK STAMPS: NOT “JUST FOR DUCKS” The Duck Stamp isn’t just for ducks. For over seven decades since its creation, the Stamp has delivered more than $700 million for the acquisition of more than five million acres of crucial wetland and grassland habitat for the Refuge System. These include fee-title acquisition and easement properties. Ninety-eight percent of the funds collected through the Stamp go directly to habitat acquisition in the National Wildlife Refuge System. How about all of those non-game bird species helped when duck-stamp money buys or leases wetland and grassland habitat? Consider: Western Grebe, Least Bittern, Roseate Spoonbill, Yellow Rail, Black Tern, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Whimbrel, Stilt Sandpiper, Red Knot, Wilson's Phalarope, Swallow-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Swainson's Hawk, Golden Eagle, Vermilion Flycatcher, Sedge Wren, Prothonotary Warbler, LeConte's Sparrow, Tricolored Blackbird, and many, many more. So, it’s no accident that the Duck Stamp is officially called the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. Birders and bird conservationists should make the Stamp a personal annual requirement. Today, possession and use of the Stamp are part of a broad and integrated movement to conserve birds in the 21st-century. You can buy your next Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation [Duck] Stamp starting on 27 June! [NOTE – Free downloadable artwork available for past Stamps here: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/federal/stamps/fedimages.htm ] [NOTE – Image of the 2008-2009 Stamp, with a pair of Northern Pintails can be found here: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/ ] _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile_052008 _______________________________________________ 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: Bedford County May 6, 2008 From: "Rexanne Bruno" <bruno AT lynchburg.edu> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 11:25:36 -0400 I spent a few hours birding in Bedford County yesterday. Highlights were: a single WILD TURKEY (hen) crossing Otterville Road (Route 645); a single late GREAT EGRET (last expected date in Spring is Apr 30 according to 'Birds of Lynchburg, Virginia and Vicinity') in North Otter Creek (seen from Route 122 just north of Otterville Rd); a few shorebirds (1 KILLDEER, 2 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, 3 FOS SPOTTED SANDPIPERS) at a private lake off Route 122, north of Bedford; a FOS YELLOW WARBLER at nest (videotaped) on Three Otters Road (off Route 43 just north of Bedford); discovering a FOS YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT at a new location (at Claytor Nature Study Center - Site 11 on Peaks of Otter loop of Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail); and these other FOS sightings: CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, CLIFF SWALLOW, WARBLING VIREO, EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, & EASTERN KINGBIRD. Rexanne Bruno Lynchburg, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Titmouse in the house From: WEalding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 10:36:40 -0400 While I was out walking this morning, my husband found a Tufted Titmouse in one of our upstairs bedrooms. The only way it could have gotten there was through the open doors of the screen porch and our living area. It must have flown through the entire first floor and up the stairs to that bedroom. He heard it crashing into the windows so, he opened up the windows and it flew out. Our pet rabbit Merry who lives in that room was terrified! Wendy Ealding Powhatan County_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Singing Male Dickcissel - Fincastle From: "Zach Thompson" <glorifyenterprisesinc AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 09:59:40 -0400 There is a male Dickcissel singing in our yard this morning. Zach Thompson _______________________________________________ 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: LOS White-throated Sparrow From: Sue Nedrow <slnedrow AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 09:24:59 -0400 We also encountered them in Springfield and Lorton over the weekend. _______________________________________________ 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: Monticello Park, Alexandria - YES! From: Renee Grebe <grebebird AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 06:03:25 -0700 (PDT) I don't have but a few seconds to write - but if you were thinking of going to Monticello Park today (Alexandria, VA), do it!  I had literally 5 minutes to bird on my way to a 9am meeting this morning and in that 5 minutes (barely having my feet in the park), I saw a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, SCARLET TANAGER, and BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER, along with some Yellow Rumps.  Orioles, Black Throated Blue Warblers, and lots of thrushes are among the other birds there this morning.  Get out to bird - this might be a great day there! -Renee Grebe  Alexandria, VA_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: [va-richmond-general] Re: LOS White-throated Sparrow From: Lewis Barnett <lbarnett AT richmond.edu> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 08:52:22 -0400 Two White-throated Sparrows in my yard yesterday, too. I also had a White-Crowned Sparrow in the yard Sunday afternoon. That was the first I've ID'd in 9 years at this location. (Stony Point area south of the James.) -- Lewis Barnett -- Chair, Dept. of Math & CS, U. of Richmond, VA 23173 -- lbarnett AT richmond.edu | lbarnett AT acm.org -- http://www.mathcs.richmond.edu/~lbarnett/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Voice: Greater Washington Area, May 6 From: "Joe Coleman" <joecolem AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 08:36:57 -0400 FYI Joe Coleman Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist Date: 5/6/2008 Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1 Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2 (email): voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org (deadline): midnight Mondays Compiler: Helen Patton Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States (independent of NAS!) Transcriber: Steve Cordle (scordle AT capaccess.org) 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, May 6, at 6:00 p.m. Top birds this week are FRANKLIN'S GULL in DC and WHITE-WINGED TERN* in DE. Other birds of interest include RED-THROATED LOON, AMERICAN BITTERN, herons, kites, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON, shorebirds, BLACK-NECKED STILT, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, CHUCK-WILL'S WIDOW and WHIP-POOR-WILL, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, CLIFF SWALLOW, thrushes, warblers, sparrows, grosbeaks, BOBLINK, and PURPLE FINCH. A FRANKLIN'S GULL was on the golf course at Haines Point, DC on May 3. During the week, a WHITE-WINGED TERN was reported at Ted Harvey WMA, Kent Co, DE. The bird was seen in the "north" pond of the Logan Land Tract. It has also been seen in the south side of the Logan Tract. A RED-THROATED LOON was a fly-by at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Grasonville, Queen Anne's Co, MD on May 2. AMERICAN BITTERNS were reported this week from the Ft. McHenry NM, Baltimore, MD on April 30; Greenbury Point, Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 1; Susquehanna SP, Cecil Co, MD on May 2; Swan Harbor, Harford Co, MD on May 3 and Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co, VA on May 4. A LITTLE BLUE HERON was found at the Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve, Anne Arundel Co, MD and at the Forbay Pond area at Lake Elkhorn, Howard Co, MD on May 2. Two YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at the Glen Artney section of Patapsco Valley SP on April 30 and May 5 and another two were spotted on Hunting Quarter Road, Montgomery Co, MD also on April 30. A YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at Lake Elkhorn, Columbia, Howard Co, MD on May 1. Two YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen at Sligo Creek Parkway, Montgomery Co, MD on May 4. A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE flew over the office at Eastern Shore of VA NWR, Northampton Co, VA on May 2. A MISSISSIPPI KITE flew over a yard in North East, Cecil Co, MD on May 3 and another was seen at Huntley Meadows Park on May 4. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen at Finzel Swamp, Garrett Co, MD on May 2. Two PEREGRINE FALCONS were reported from Greenbury Point on April 29 and another was spotted at Turkey Run Park, Fairfax Co, VA on May 4. A COMMON MOORHEN was noted at Flag Ponds Nature Park, Calvert Co, MD on May 3. A SANDHILL CRANE was flying west over Partnership Road near Poolsville, Montgomery Co, MD on May 3. Shorebirds have started to arrive with reports from throughout the region including BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS at North Branch, Allegany Co, MD and RED KNOTS near the Eastern Shore of VA NWR on May 2. A visit to Hart-Miller Island, Baltimore Co, MD on May 4 reported 15 shorebird species. Two BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen on Elliott Island Road, Dorchester Co, MD on April 30. The BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO reported from the Blue Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery Co, MD, last week was re-found on April 30 and the number had increased to 2 by May 1. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was spotted at the National Arboretum, DC on May 3 and others were reported from a yard in Colesville, Montgomery Co, MD; along the C&O Canal in Washington Co, MD and from Fort C.F. Smith Park, Arlington, VA on May 4. CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOWS were heard calling in Black Marsh, Baltimore Co, MD and Weinberg Park south of White Pond, Anne Arundel Co, MD on April 30. A single CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW was seen and heard from the Edgewood Area of the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Harford Co, MD on May 2. CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOWS and WHIP-POOR-WILLS were calling from the Solley Road power line in Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 4. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO and a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH were seen at Soldier's Delight, Baltimore Co, MD on May 4. CLIFF SWALLOWS were noted at the Belle Isle footbridge, Richmond VA on May 4. A SWAINSON'S THRUSH was observed in Upper Watts Branch Park on May 1 and another was encountered from the hiker/biker trail in Montgomery Co, MD on May 2. On May 3, a SWAINSON'S THRUSH was observed at Wakefield Park, Fairfax Co, VA. Warbler numbers and diversity increased to a flood across the region. Highlights include GOLDEN-WINGED, BLUE-WINGED, BREWSTER'S, LAWRENCE'S hybrid, CHESTNUT-SIDED, CAPE-MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, CERULEAN, SWAINSON'S, KENTUCKY. MOURNING and HOODED WARBLERS. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was found at the edge of Constitution Gardens, DC with sightings on May 1, 2 and 4. A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was spotted near the intersection of Church Road and Rte 50 in Bowie MD and on Country Farm Road, Caroline Co, MD on May 1. More GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were heard from roads in the west-central part of Carroll Co, MD on May 1 and a few GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS were seen along Carr Lane near Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier Co, VA on May 4. Four SEASIDE SPARROWS were at Sandy Point SP, Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 3. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS appeared in the area this past week with reports from many sites; BLUE GROSBEAK reports continued, but at a lower level. BOBOLINKS have returned to the Beltsville Ag Research Center, Prince George's Co, MD. Two BOBOLINKS were noted at Gravelly Point, Arlington, VA on April 30 and May 1 and 2. 17 BOBOLINKS were found in a tree in Gambrills, Anne Arundel Co, MD on May 1. A northbound flock of BOBOLINKS serenaded birders in Kent Co, MD on May 3 while 20 more were singing loudly on Old Hanover Road, Baltimore Co, MD on May 4. PURPLE FINCH continue to be seen around the area. Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey and VA-Bird list servers and the eBird Rare Bird Google Gadgets for MD and VA. Finding Birds in the National Capital Area by Claudia Wilds is an excellent source for directions to many birding sites. The ANS Bookstore (301-652-3606 or www.audubonnaturalist.org/cgi-bin/mesh/store) is an excellent source for this and many other nature-related titles. To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org or call 301-652-1088 and select menu option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, either e-mail or phone. Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING. *Of interest to the records committee. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Northumberland anhingas From: "Tom Saunders" <tsaunders AT BayCreek.Net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 07:33:21 -0400 All, I am forwarding, with the permission of the original sender, a report originally posted on the informal Northern Neck Audubon Society bird wire: "Spotted two anhingas at a small marshy pond on Betts Bottom Rd. which is between Heathsville and Burgess. They are a little north of their usual territory which is usually North Carolina south to Florida and all along the Gulf Coast. Attached are a few photographs I was able to get. It was in the late afternoon on May 1st. Thanks, Richard Davis" Luckily, Mr Davis was able to take several excellent photos of the birds and there is no doubt of the ID. In a follow up email he told me he "went by Betts Bottom Pond the next night and they were still there. They seemed to be there in the late evening around 5:30 or 6:00. I haven't seen them since but they could still be around. If I see them again I'll let you know and hopefully you can come out and take a look. I'll keep you posted." I don't have a handy site on which I can post the photos (volunteers?) but anyone who wants a copy need only write and I'll send them on their way. For anyone intending to go look for the birds, Betts Bottom Road is perhaps three miles east of Heathsville, the county seat. It's all private property, so be mindful of where you park, please. Tom Saunders Kilmarnock and Cape Charles _______________________________________________ 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: A birdy day for me From: Barbara Houston <bhouston AT qmail.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 22:33:01 -0400 I talked with Lynda this morning and she highly suggested that I head over to Dutch Gap at lunch time to get a picture of the COMMON MOORHEN if it was still there...it was, but my pics of it stink. While I was there, I also came across a group of momma and baby CANADA GEESE. After work, I stopped in Charles City at the fish hatchery to see if anything was there. I saw a gorgeous pair of BALD EAGLES, a beautiful TREE SWALLOW, and a pair of BLUEBIRDS before heading home. After I got home and was loading my pics onto my computer, I looked outside and I was treated to my first ever ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on my feeders. A good birding day for me. Pics are at: http://public.fotki.com/bhouston/miscellaneous/nature_pics/20080506-dutch-gap-/ Barbara _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Bobolinks at Gravelly Point? From: Randy & Sandee <rlprt AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:47:44 -0700 (PDT) We were at Gravelly Point for about 30 or 40 minutes today starting at 2 pm. During that time we saw two male Bobolinks (or perhaps the same one twice) for about 30 seconds each. They no longer react to the planes taking off. They just occassionally pop up and hang on to a tall weed before going back down in the tall grass again. Randy & Sandee Alexandria, VA --- On Tue, 5/6/08, Lori Keeler wrote: > From: Lori Keeler > Subject: [Va-bird] Bobolinks at Gravelly Point? > To: va-bird AT listserve.com > Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 6:31 PM > If anyone saw these birds today at this location, I would > appreciate hearing about it. > > I went to Gravelly Point to try for the Bobolinks today, > but did not see them. Many planes took off, but I saw no > movement, which may mean they have moved on. > > Lori Keeler Arlington, VA > dol_kee AT msn.com_______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the > Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining > the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ 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: LOS White-throated Sparrow From: Jay K <azure.jay AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:15:06 -0400 (EDT) I encountered several White-throats this weekend. My records show that they tend to hang around in northern VA until about the middle to end of the 3rd week of May, so not unexpected at this time of year. Jay Keller -----Original Message----- >From: Arun Bose >Sent: May 6, 2008 8:56 PM >To: VA Bird , va-richmond-general AT freelists.org >Subject: Re: [Va-bird] LOS White-throated Sparrow > >I also have a lingering White-throated Sparrow in my yard in Richmond. > >In a quick 15 minute stop at James River Park 42nd st parking lot this >morning I saw a White-crowned Sparrow (adult) which I don't encounter in the >City too often. Also 2 Northern Parula, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 3 >Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 American Redstart, and >Common Yellowthroat. > >Arun Bose, >Richmond, 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/ _______________________________________________ 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: LOS White-throated Sparrow From: Arun Bose <arun.bose AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 20:56:37 -0400 I also have a lingering White-throated Sparrow in my yard in Richmond. In a quick 15 minute stop at James River Park 42nd st parking lot this morning I saw a White-crowned Sparrow (adult) which I don't encounter in the City too often. Also 2 Northern Parula, 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Black-and-white Warbler, 1 American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. Arun Bose, Richmond, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Huntley Meadows this morning From: "Zvi Provisor" <zprovisor AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 18:38:16 -0400 Saw the Virginia rail this morning. It was very close to the observation deck. Here are couples of shots. The time stamp: 06-May-2008 07:12:12 http://i.pbase.com/o2/90/198190/1/96694531.WYYJrioq.D23_7106.jpg http://i.pbase.com/o2/90/198190/1/96694548.Ey0oYJLJ.D23_7108.jpg _______________________________________________ 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: The Channels Natural Area Preserve From: Thomas Hunter <opiehunter AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 15:38:22 -0700 (PDT) _______________________________________________ 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: Bobolinks at Gravelly Point? From: Lori Keeler <dol_kee AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:31:52 -0400 If anyone saw these birds today at this location, I would appreciate hearing about it. I went to Gravelly Point to try for the Bobolinks today, but did not see them. Many planes took off, but I saw no movement, which may mean they have moved on. Lori Keeler Arlington, VA dol_kee AT msn.com_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: RFI: Shenandoah NP, birding around RockFish Gap? From: Ben Weinstein <ben.weinstein AT richmond.edu> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:12:25 -0400 Virginia Birders Does anyone have suggestions for birding locations in Shenandoah NP, i'm specifically looking for Gold-Winged Warblers/Black-billed Cuckoos. I saw several people who post on VA-bird participated in a study on Golden-Winged Warblers in 2006, are these results public? I'm hoping to find somewhere to backpack and camp, but with good birding, preferably in the southern half of the NP. Thank you for your help Ben Weinstein University of Richmond '10 _______________________________________________ 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: Thompson Wildlife Management Area--Cerulean, Kentucky, Hooded Warblers, and more From: Walter Hadlock <jaybirdncarol AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 14:09:57 -0400 Hello all, After reading the postings about Thompson WMA, we hit the road this morning for a visit. We were not disappointed in either the birds or the flowers. Trillium Trail parking lot is aptly named. In no particular order, here's our list: ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK (m & f) SCARLET TANAGER WOOD THRUSH EASTERN TOWHEE (both m & f) CERULEAN WARBLER KENTUCKY WARBLER at least two HOODED WARBLER at least two BLACK THROATED GREEN BLACK THROATED BLUE REDSTART--quite a few; also, we watched a female building a nest OVENBIRD (h) YELLOW THROATED VIREO RED EYED VIREO PILEATED WOODPECKER RED BELLIED WOODPECKER (h) AMERICAN GOLDFINCH INDIGO BUNTING AMERICAN ROBIN BLUE JAY MOURNING DOVE Good birding to all, Jay and Carol Hadlock Herndon, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: LOS WHITE-THROATED SPARROW? - still counting From: WEalding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 12:57:29 -0400 ... still here in my neighborhood in Powhatan County. Once again, it appeared to be a first winter bird. Sibley says this plumage occurs from August to March but, still somewhat evident on this individual. Also heard my FOS BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER Wendy Ealding Powhatan County_______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Dutch Gap and Crewes Channel From: "Tom & Lynda Blair" <tomlyn AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 09:24:36 -0400 We were out birding yesterday and stopped by to see the Common Moorhen at Dutch Gap. It was hanging out with a Coot (as reported by others) at the first platform. Not shy at all.. Here are 3 images in all.. http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664448 We were getting very nervous because there was an enormous Snapping Turtle swimming and feeding within a few feet of the Moorhen and the Coot. Very scary-looking.. http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664859 If it came too close, the Moorhen and Coot would skitter away. We left there and decided to go to Crewes Channel (Willis Church Rd. in Charles City County) It had been flooded from all the rain we got, but now is drained and there are lots of Yellowlegs and Common Snipe. (2 images) imm. http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96238996 Amazingly, there was another huge Snapper in there eating a fish. Excuse the bad image, the light was terrible ( 2 images) http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96664862 It came very close to a Great Blue Heron, which made me a bit nervous. A week or so before it was flooded, we saw 3 imm. Bald Eagles, and a Kingfisher http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/image/96240590 4 images Happy birding.. Lynda Blair New Kent County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Bird Walk - May 10 Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve, Russell Co, VA From: Thomas Hunter <opiehunter AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 04:00:39 -0700 (PDT) _______________________________________________ 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/