Made a short trip to see what effect the recent heavy rains have
had on the area, especially if there were ponds in the fields for
shorebirds. Water levels in the ponds were higher than on Saturday, but
nowhere near flood stage. Many mating carp were in the buttonbush
swamp,probably brought here in part because of the swollen Potomac. And yes
there was standing water in the fields.
After checking the marsh I walked east on Hunting Quarter Rd to the
center parking lot Here I went south into the fields turning west after the
1st hedgerow and went back through the fields and the wooded south edge of
the impoundments.
Not a bad day- 44 species. FOY for me were YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON
(1), GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (3- one seen), and a singing YELLOW-THROATED
VIREO. Most surprising species was AM. PIPIT- true to their better name
(Water Pipit) 24 or so in a flooded cornfield. Other species of note were
an Osprey (heard but not seen), one Blue-headed Vireo, and 35 Rusty
Blackbirds.
On the nesting front there was another brood of Canada Geese ( 6 small
young) and the merge broods were down to 9 (lost of 2 since Saturday) again
with 4 adults guarding them.
Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
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