I made two mistakes today-first I thought the rain was going to
stop long enough so I could check the impoundments and secondly I didn't
realize that today was the start of the early duck season so the area was
filled with hunters.
I changed plans and went to Sycamore Landing where I walked to
Horsepen Branch in the rain- no landbird activity. Saw a few Tree Swallows
over the river and heard an Osprey.
Returned to the impoundments about an hour after I was first there.
Most of the hunters were gone and the rain had let up enough that I could
make a quick circuit of the area. A great blue and 3 Great Egrets had
returned after all the earlier shooting. Also saw about 10 Palm Warblers, a
Winter Wren , 10 Swamp Sparrow and an immature White-crowned Sparrow. On
the way out there were 6 wet and bedraggle Turkey Vultures perched on a
fence.
This duck season shouldn't pose much of a problem for birders. It
ends on Saturday Oct 24 and since there isn't much available habitat most
hunters should be gone by mid-morning
Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
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