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Subject:

McKee-Beshers WMA(Mont Co) 4-24-08

From:

Paul Woodward

Reply-To:

Paul Woodward

Date:

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:13:57 -0400

         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