The GREAT EGRET show is beginning to wind down.  I was here as is was 
getting light to watch them fly in.  At 6:15 two were already perched on the 
fallen tree along Hunting Quarter Rd.. Nine minutes later a group of 17 or 
so flew in low from the west low over the marsh and landed in the  trees 
along the north shore.  They were mainly preening. At this time I had a 
maximum count of 20.
     I left to start my site survey count at Hughes Rd & Hunting Quarter 
Rds. Coming back to the parking lot I looked for the egrets again and found 
3 in the large impoundment, 21 in the dog training area (pond to the right 
as you come in)-first time this summer I have had this many in this area, 
and one in the small NW impoundment for a total of 25.  On Monday 8-23 I 
counted 32 Great Egrets.
       As is typical, when I returned four hours later there were only 9 
egrets. Three immature LITTLE BLUE HERONS were seen when I started and when 
I returned.
      On the whole things are pretty quiet.  Species still singing are 
ACADIAN FLYCATCHER, RED-EYED VIREO, TUFTED TITMOUSE & CAROLINA WREN.  An 
interesting thing I heard today (also saw it on 8-23) was a BALTIMORE ORIOLE 
calling from the top of a dead tree.
       After my site survey I checked the dove hunting area in the upper 
fields.  This is an area planted in sunflowers and is a great place for 
various seed eaters.  Today I found 68 MOURNING DOVES, 14 HOUSE FINCHES, and 
147 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA