MDOSPREYers,

 

I joined Ernie Willoughby on his route near St. Mary's City for the Point
Lookout CBC this past Sunday.  Highlight of our tally were 2 White-eyed
Vireos.  Other highlights were Cackling Goose, Barred Owl, Brown-headed
Nuthatch, and Purple Finch.  We had fine numbers of Yellow-bellied
Sapsuckers (6), Hermit Thrush (12), Cedar Waxwing (82), and Yellow-rumped
Warblers (45).  Ducks were few - Mallard, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and
Ruddy.  Rain dampened birding until about 9am.  We totaled 65 species.

 

The first White-eyed Vireo was associated with a feeding guild passing
through Red Cedars, mature-ish gum trees and ornamental plantings in the
front yard of homes along St. Mary's River - nearby was a mixed
deciduous/conifer forest.  The second White-eyed Vireo was spotted in a
larger guild about a mile away (as the crow flies, over forest and
inlets/bays) & about 6 hrs later along a lane which is lined with low
tangled bushes with a scattering of young deciduous trees on one side and
mixed deciduous/conifer forest on the other.  We do not believe these two
sightings were of the same bird due to distance and habitat in between and
the second bird did not appear to have as white an eye as the first.  Both
birds were viewed well and the second bird was observed for a couple of
minutes.

 

Special thanks to Paula and Ernie for fine hospitality and to Bob Boxwell
for letting me join up at the last minute.

 

Kurt Gaskill

Alex, VA

 

PS - The Fort Belvoir CBC is Jan 4 and all birders are most welcome to help
out.  We have field counter needs at Huntley Meadows and elsewhere.  If
interested, drop me a line - thanks!