Read all about this wonderful wildlife walk event, co-lead by Beth Arsenault and Donna Quinn!
Check our Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy website for more events like this:
DISCOVERING THE WILDLIFE and HABITATS of WILLOWSFORD
On Saturday, March 22, 2014, a group of 23 participants set off in search of signs of spring around the Willowsford Farm Loop Trail. The day started chilly and overcast, but by 10 am the sun burned through the clouds and the day warmed up quickly. As we began our walk, a Tree Swallow swooped over our heads in declaration that spring is here even if the weather has been slow to catch on. Our spring ramble began by the vernal pool area of the trail and we were thrilled to locate a Wood Frog egg mass. Beth shared her passion for amphibians. She also treated us to a lesson on the life cycle of Wood Frogs and why spring is such an important time of year for amphibians (and for the humans who study them). 
As we proceeded around the Farm Loop Trail we enjoyed the tentative peeps of Spring Peepers and the songs and calls of birds announcing themselves and claiming territories. We also examined tracks captured in the muddy trail, including the obvious travels of raccoon and turkey. Further along the trail we spotted an Anglewing butterfly, but it flew too quickly for us to fully identify it. Still, it was a welcome reminder that soon we will be walking the trail in search of butterflies and other summer sights.
Many birds were also observed, including:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle*
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Rusty Blackbird*
*While previewing the vernal pool area prior to the start of the walk, walk co-leaders Beth Arsenault and Donna Quinn spotted a group of Rusty Blackbirds and were treated to a low fly-over by a mature Bald Eagle. Unfortunately, these birds did not make an appearance for the group.
Reported By Donna Quinn
Edited by Sarah Steadman