Finally made it out in time (barely)  for woodcocks. Started at 
first parking lot along Sycamore Landing Rd.  As soon as I got out of the 
car I heard 2 in the dog training field. Went  north on the road and heard 
one more. At least one of the birds was displaying. I was too late to get a 
good feel for how many were actually present.
     Once the sun came up I did my Hunting Quarter Rd count and came back 
through the fields. Overall I had 44 species. Highlights were (1)Great Blue 
Herons (3) one was flying high overhead and 2 were west of the impoundments 
which were recent arrivals (2) Tundra Swan heard flying over (FOY) (3) 15 
Ring-necked Ducks in the large impoundment (4) a probable migrant E. Phoebe 
(I know of three that wintered here) (5) 4 Tree Swallows-the only reason I 
mention them is they were here early when it was very cold. Usually at this 
time of year the come in after it warms up (6) meadowlark-heard but not seen 
in the fields. At one time they were very common here, but now I rarely see 
them (7) a small flock of Rusty Blackbirds and (8) a singing Purple Finch 
(FOY).
         To add to Jim Nelson's comment- I found Gray Catbirds in 5 
different locations here this winter. Only two spots are close enough that 
it could have been the same bird.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
 

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