This past Wednesday, eight people came out for our mid-week walk as we explored the great habitat around Foxcroft School near Middleburg. We investigated the rich hedgerows, walked through the woods and down to Goose Creek.
The highlight was seeing a Belted Kingfisher going into its nest burrow. This fascinating bird actually digs a burrow into the banks of rivers and streams for its nest site.
Joe wrote: “Seeing the Belted Kingfisher duck into its nest hole under the think hanging vegetation was fantastic (something I have looked for for years). It was also nice to see the Rough-winged Swallows duck in & out of their holes and to hear the woods full of spring sounds. And we had great looks at Scarlet Tanagers (male & female) almost at eye level.”
Overcast conditions turned to sunshine during the morning. Many thanks to Christine Perdue for leading this field trip for us! Here’s her summary of sightings:
The group had 48 species during the walk: Belted kingfisher (nesting) (1); Prairie warbler (1); Chestnut-sided warbler (1); Northern parula (2); Black-throated blue warbler (1); Black and white warbler (1); Common yellowthroat (1); Blackpoll warblers (6); La. waterthrush (2); Scarlet tanager (5); Red-eyed vireo (4); White-eyed vireo (1); Eastern wood pewee (2); Great crested flycatcher (1); Yellow-billed cuckoo (1); Northern flicker (1); Red-bellied woodpecker (2); Blue-grey gnatcatcher (4); Indigo bunting (5); Carolina wren (1); Spotted sandpiper (2); Solitary sandpiper (4); Cedar waxwings (6); Purple martin (2); Northern rough-wingedswallow (6) (nesting); Barn swallows (2); Mourning dove (2); American goldfinch (3); American robin (2); Bluebird (2); Chipping sparrow (1); House sparrow (6); Turkey vulture (3); Black vulture (2); American crow (4); Common raven (1); Blue jay (1); Northern cardinal (6); Catbirds (10); Northern mockingbird (2); Rock pigeon (2); Red-shouldered hawk (1); Carolina chickadee (1); Tufted titmouse (7), Red-headed Woopeckers (2), Brown Thrasher (1), and Chimney Swifts overhead.