VA BIRDers and MDOspreyers,

 

The Fort Belvoir CBC was held Sunday, Jan 1, 2012; I think this was the 68th
count for the currently situated circle.  Top Highlight for the count was an
interesting spizella sparrow, possibly a Brewer's (and, if so, a first for
Virginia).  Linda Chittum found the bird Friday, 30 Dec at Occoquan Bay NWR
and it was last seen all too briefly this morning by Ned Brinkley and Tom
Saunders.  The bird was found on count day by Russ Taylor and others.
Directions to the last location the bird was observed can be found in
Linda's recent postings. Whether a Brewer's or Clay-colored, the bird will
be a new addition to the Ft B CBC species list.  A fantastic sighting!

 

Other highlights (in no particular order) were:  Snow Goose (blue phase) at
Vet's Park (still there this morning), Cackling Goose at Huntley (CW at
Vet's Park and present there this morning), Great Egrets in two locations
including the long-running Huntley Meadows birds, Merlin at Huntley Meadows,
Peregrine Falcon at Occ. Bay NWR, Virginia Rails at Huntley Meadows, King
Rails at Occ. Bay NWR, Lesser Yellowlegs at the Great Marsh of Mason Neck,
Common Ravens (one over Huntley early on count day and 2 in the Lorton
area), and Orange-crowned Warbler at Occ. Bay NWR.  

 

Other hard to find species (for the time of year) were: an incredible 61
Wood Ducks at Jackson Abbott Refuge, Horned Grebe courtesy of the Md Sector
crew, Greater Yellowlegs at the Great Marsh of Mason Neck, American Woodcock
displaying at Occ. Bay NWR and Mason Neck, Red-headed Woodpeckers en masse
in the Maryland sector as well as singletons near Fort Hunt and Huntley
Meadows, E. Phoebe many places, Red-breasted Nuthatch at Mason Neck and Fort
Hunt, House Wren at Mason Neck, Gray Catbirds in a few places, Brown
Thrashers in several places, Common Yellowthroats at Occ. Bay NWR and
elsewhere, American Tree Sparrow, and a single White-crowned Sparrow at
Lorton.  Known count week species were Long-tailed Duck, Laughing Gull and
Lesser Black-backed Gull.

 

With a few reports still outstanding, the current species list totals 111,
about 2 less than average.  I believe another species or two could have been
added if we were not hampered by the low turnout in volunteers (most likely
due to the date!  sorry folks, it has to be a Sunday due to hunting) and a
few no-shows, which means that several good areas were not covered in the
morning or not covered at all.  Until I have all reports, I cannot determine
if the bird numbers are up or down and promise to give a more complete
summary in the near future.

 

A big Thank You to all the volunteer counters and feeder watchers on count
day!

 

Wishing You All Good Birds in 2012

Kurt Gaskill, compiler FT B CBC


############################

To unsubscribe from the MDOSPREY list:
write to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
or click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MDOSPREY&A=1