Five hardcore birders came for the monthly birdwalk at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on February 11th. The monthly walk is sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and The Friends of Banshee Reeks. The walk occurs on the second Saturday of every month at 8 a.m.
The sky was heavy overcast with less than an inch of snow on the ground from over night. It threatened snow and there were a few snow showers during the walk. The overcast probably curtailed the vultures, but the hightlight was two AMERICAN WOODCOCKS.
While not rare they are seldom seen at mid-morning and we flushed a bird in two different locations. The Preserve closes at 4 p.m. which limits the opportunity to see Woodcocks.
A total of 37 species were seen which compares well with the history of the past six years. The complete list follows:
Canada Goose, American Black Duck, Mallard, Hooded Merganzer, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Woodcock, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird (a flock of nearly 100 females), American Glodfinch
Del Sargent
Friends of Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve