No doldrums at Huntley Meadows
GAIL@UMDD.UMD.EDU
Tue, 4 May 99 09:00:56 EDT
Barry and I decided that the recent "warbler doldrums" required a change of
venue, so we headed out for Huntley Meadows last evening. Amazingly we beat
all the rush hour traffic -- no tieup at the Wilson Bridge, no cars to speak
of on Route 1 -- and after fastfooding it at Wendy's, hit the parking lot
at Huntley Meadows at 5:30 pm. Except for one other couple, we were the only
folks there. It was cool and threatened drizzle, but very little wind --
perfect for rails, our target this evening.
No much bird song walking in -- one Parula and a Yellowthroat at the marsh
edge. No Wood Thrushes or Ovenbirds, and unless the deer are controlled
(there is almost no undergrowth left in the woods, and all the trees are
leafless below 5-6') I can't imagine they will be successful. The marsh,
however, is in excellent shape. We heard a King Rail as soon as we got onto
the Boardwalk, and found it calling only 2' from the edge of the walk, right
out in the open. Between the intersection of the two marsh boardwalks and
the end nearest the observation tower, we saw first a Sora in plain view and
seconds later, a Virginia Rail less than a yard away! The Virginia in
particular was very confiding, feeding too close for bins in the open. I
looked back and noticed movement in the reeds -- which proved to be an
American Bittern struggling to swallow an immense bullfrog twice the size
of its (the bittern's) head! We walked back up the boardwalk and were able to
watch this struggle from less than 20' away, the bittern being totally
oblivious to us. It was the best view I have ever had of one of these (usually)
secretive birds, and I was able to enjoy the beautiful gold markings and
subtle vermiculations of its plumage. We finally left the bird (the frog still
unswallowed) and walked on. A Moorhen added another Rallid to the list. (But
no Coots).
Other birds of interest included a pair of Brown Creepers (breeding?), 4
Solitary and one Least Sandpiper, a calling Barred Owl.
We left by 7 pm, having seen our targets and enjoyed a great evening in a
peaceful spot.
Still waiting for the Next Wave of Warblers...
Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper