For those people thinking of seriously looking for the White-winged
Dove I offer the following suggestion(s). The most place to find the dove is
at the feeders on the Buddhist Temple grounds. I don't know the details
but I think they have daily visiting hours. You might ask the people there.
An alternative would be to turn left on Hunting Quarter Rd. and park in the
lot at the bottom of the slope. Then walk west on the road looking on the
ridge for the various buildings. I think the feeders are near the west end
of the structures. At least in winter birds using the feeders perch in the
trees along the ridge.
I was out on 4-28 and checked a nearby field which is good for doves
in the fall but only found one mourning dove. Also check a short stretch of
the towpath near Sycamore Landing and waded in the impoundments fixing some
of my swallow nest boxes. First of the season species for me were a
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-eyed Vireo(2), Wood Thrush (2), Am Redstart
(1), and Indigo Bunting (2).
Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
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