January Birding on the Piedmont
KurtCapt87@aol.com
Sun, 10 Jan 1999 21:26:32 EST
Folks,
After leading the Dyke Marsh walk, I met Todd Day near Manasas (1230) and we
set out in search of January birds. We watched hawks and vultures as we
drove; once passing 20 or more Black Vultures feasting on some road kill near
Gilbert's Corner. Our first stop was the sod farm south of Rt 7 where we came
upon 3 groups of American Pipits totaling 80 birds. Near the farm a
Kingfisher patrolled a stream flying under the bridge we drove over, Am.
Robins called from the nearby trees, and a Common Raven croaked down the road
towards Leesburg Pike. Then, we headed out to Lucketts to look at sparrows.
We first stopped (about 1500) at the field near Limestone School Rd that had
the Northern Shrike years ago, finding a couple of Meadowlarks. No shrike,
but an odd raptor patrolled the fields giving us a vent-on view for what
seemed like eternity. Finally, the bird banked and its pattern and colors at
500 yds were strange to us. Todd quickly brought up the scope and the birds
identity became clear - Short-eared Owl. We watched the owl for 10 minutes as
it flew over the stubbled field and perched on a telephone pole (a Towhee was
calling in the background). Satisfied, we continued on to Hibler Rd finding
over 4 dozen White-crowned Sparrows and an equal number of Cardinals near the
"piggery". Down the road we saw more White-crowns, many Songs, and a half
dozen Tree Sparrows.
During our driving, we counted 15 Red-Shoulders, 5 Red-tails, 9 Kestrels, and
one No. Harrier.
Kurt Gaskill, kurtcapt87@aol.com