Sunday walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA
KurtCapt87@aol.com
Sun, 27 Sep 1998 16:35:56 EDT
The participants in the regular Sunday walk at Dyke Marsh (meet at 0800 at the
first picnic area of Dyke Marsh/Belleview which is about 2/3 mile south of the
beltway on the GW Parkway next to the Potomac River.) were greeted with quite
a surprise today - well over a hundred ducks dabbling off the picnic area in a
small bay of the Potomac. The main body were Mallards, but 2 Black Ducks, 4
Wood Ducks, 10 No. Pintails (some males just now turning into winter
plummage), 8 No. Shovelers and an Am. Widgeon were quickly found. All 4 gulls
and 2 tern species were occasionally sent into the air from the mudflats by an
immature Bald Eagle that was "just visiting". Other highlights of the day
included E. Peewee, E. Phoebe, House Wren, Brown Thrasher (attempting to hide
as we pished out the House Wren), Red-eyed Vireos (one posed for several
minutes on a nearby sumac tree so we scoped it for all to see), No. Parula,
Magnolias, Black-throated Greens, a Black&White, and Common Yellowthroats.
Hanging out along the river in the trees were several flocks of Red-wings
Blackbirds with many "tail-less" males who were in mid-molt. These free walks
are sponsored by the non-profit organization Friends of Dyke Marsh who arrange
local experts to lead and all are welcome to attend!
Kurt Gaskill