Good day in Loudon Co.
Gerstens (gerstens@erols.com)
Sat, 13 Dec 1997 13:07:15 -0500
Good birding today - Saturday, December 13th - at Beaverdam Reservoir
and the Greenway Wetlands.
I decided to return to the area to search for the Ross' Goose and
crossbills.
Arriving at the reservoir at around 7:30, I met David Abbott and another
birder. They had seen an EVENING GROSBEAK and a LONG-EARED OWL. I was
jealous but hopeful. Soon we spotted three Common Mergansers, a
Red-shouldered hawk and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.
As we left for the wetlands Bev Lueewenberg pulled up and told us about
a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD she had just seen in the field opposite the
farm and pond on Reservoir Road. It was among a mixed flock of
thousands of grackles, blackbirds, cowbirds and starlings. We went to
search for it and along the way spotted the ROSS' GOOSE flying overhead
with three Canada's. It was much smaller than the Canada's unlike the
Snow goose seen on Thursday. We found a large flock of mixed
blackbirds but couldn't locate the Yellow-headed.
On the way to the Greenway Wetlands a Pileated Woodpecker and an
immature RED-HEADED WOODPECKER were spotted in trees along Reservoir
Road. At the wetlands we quickly spotted a Northern Harrier and several
Red-tailed Hawks but no waterfowl. Then, as we worked our way toward
some raptors at the far northwest corner of the wetlands, an adult
NORTHERN SHRIKE flew from the marsh toward the tall trees along Oatlands
Mill Road.
All four of us watched the shrike and collected details. It hunted from
the trees along the road swooping to the hillside on the north side of
the road. It pumped its tail frequently and was disturbed by a
goldfinch while it perched. Head features included a thin black mask
and long bill with an obvious hook. The nape and mantle were bulky and
it dwarfed the goldfinch. Seemed about the size of nearby blue jays.
David Abbott will collect notes from the birders present.
As we left a flock of 15-20 Green-winged Teal flew in. I saw a Cooper's
Hawk flying across Ryan Road on my way back to Herndon.
If you plan to bird the area remember that the Greenway Wetlands is a
restricted area that should only be birded from the road.
___________
David Gersten
gerstens@erols.com
Herndon, VA
703-713-3922 h
703-918-6325 w