About 10 people, led by Andy Rabin and Mary Ann Good with assistance from Larry Meade, enjoyed a crisp morning bird walk at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, south of Leesburg on Saturday morning.
We enjoyed not only seeing but also hearing the sweet songs of 3 Fox Sparrows. A Hermit Thrush perched in an uncharacteristic high open perch, cocking his reddish tail. Raptors were quite well represented with a Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, pair of Red-shouldered Hawks, and 3 Red-tailed Hawks–woodpeckers and sparrows not so much so.
A complete list of birds from the walk is provided here:
Canada Goose, Mallard, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle – adult, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, No. Flicker, Blue Jay, Am. Crow, Fish Crow – a flyover flock of about 30, calling, Com. Raven, Car. Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Car. Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, E. Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Am. Robin, No. Mockingbird, Eur. Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler – a couple small flocks, E. Towhee, Field Sparrow, Fox Sparrow – 3, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, No. Cardinal, Am. Goldfinch
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks host this bird walk on the second Tuesday of every month. No sign up is necessary, just come out and join us. It’s a lot of fun. For more information about our programs and field trips, visit our Calendar.