Fourteen of us gathered yesterday for the regular 2nd Saturday of the month bird walk at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in central Loudoun Co.
It was a cold but still and beautiful fall morning and while we didn’t find as many species as we had hoped, we did enjoy watching two Bald Eagles, a juvenile and an adult, fly overhead.
We also, towards the end of the walk, had an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk fly directly towards us and then go right over our heads, giving us a wonderful opportunity to examine all its diagnostic characteristics closely.
There were also had two flocks of Fish Crows with over 125 birds fly over us making their distinctive call. At other times two flocks of blackbirds, mostly chatty Red-wings, flew overhead. And while there weren’t as many sparrow species as we had hoped to see, White-throated Sparrows were everywhere along with a healthy number of juncos.
For a complete list of the birds observed please see the eBird report below.
The regular monthly free bird walk (every 2nd Sat) at the Banshee Reeks Nature preserve is sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy & the Friends of Banshee Reeks.
Good birding!
Joe Coleman & Del Sargent
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve – MFF08, Loudoun, US-VA Nov 8, 2014 8:00 AM -11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Regular 2nd Saturday of the month bird walk.
38 species +
Canada Goose X, Black Vulture 5, Turkey Vulture 5, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Bald Eagle 2, Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Red-tailed Hawk 3, Mourning Dove 4, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker 9, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2, Downy Woodpecker 4, Northern Flicker 5, Blue Jay 10, American Crow 25, Fish Crow 125 This count, which is actually conservative, occurred as two large flocks of Fish Crows flew overhead during the walk. They were coming from the direction of the county landfill and were constantly vocalizing with their “uhh” call as they passed overhead.Carolina Chickadee X, Tufted Titmouse X, White-breasted Nuthatch 3, Brown Creeper 1, Carolina Wren 3, Kinglet, sp. 1, Eastern Bluebird 3, American Robin 25, Northern Mockingbird 10, European Starling 25, Cedar Waxwing 1, Yellow-rumped Warbler 1, Eastern Towhee 3, Field Sparrow 1, Song Sparrow 8, White-throated Sparrow 50, Dark-eyed Junco 20, Northern Cardinal 8, Red-winged Blackbird 125, Common Grackle 5, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, House Finch 1, American Goldfinch 8.