Ten birders showed up on June 8th at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the regular 2nd Sat. of the month bird walk sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy & the Friends of Banshee Reeks. The temperatures were pleasant for the entire walk and as we got closer to the Goose Creek and the sun came out fully, we were serenaded by a lot of 17-year Cicadas.
The avian highlights of the 53 bird species, several butterfly species, and many cicadas included several Prairie Warblers, one of which was carrying food; four Yellow-billed Cuckoos, one of which gave us great looks as we were gathering in the parking lot; a singing Blue Grosbeak, clearly perched on a snag above the trail not far from the Visitor Center, Cedar Waxwings in the trees around the parking lot; at least three dif. Yellow-breasted Chats chatting, one close to the Visitor Center; and a singing Scarlet Tanager low and easily seen in a tree near the Goose Creek.
With the Goose in flood no birds were seen flying on or around it. The most commonly seen butterflies throughout the preserve today were prob. Spring Azures. They appeared to be everywhere with a couple groups puddling in the mud on the trail. See below for complete eBird list of the birds seen.
The regular monthly free bird walk (every 2nd Sat) at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (www.loudounwildlife.org) and the Friends of Banshee Reeks (www.bansheereeks.org); information on both and their upcoming events can be found on their websites.
Good birding, Joe Coleman, near Bluemont, Loudoun Co
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve – MFF08, Loudoun, US-VA Jun 8, 2013 7:45 AM – 11:00 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.0 mile(s) 53 species
Black Vulture 12, Turkey Vulture 18, Red-shouldered Hawk 3, Red-tailed Hawk 2, Rock Pigeon 1, Mourning Dove 6, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 4, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker 1, American Kestrel 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe 2, Great Crested Flycatcher 5, White-eyed Vireo 2, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Common Raven 1, Tree Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Wren 2, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher 2, Cedar Waxwing 4, Ovenbird 3, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula 1, Prairie Warbler 6, Yellow-breasted Chat 3, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow 2, Scarlet Tanager 3, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak 1, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle 3, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orchard Oriole 4, House Finch 4, American Goldfinch.
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14370041