The Larkolinks (Sally Brenton, Dolores Goodson, Laureen Megan, Nancy Noerpel, Debra Gutenson and Zoe Sowers) began their Birdathon on Wednesday, May 3rd. The weather was not the greatest, being cool and overcast. As one member noted, “better than swatting the bugs away.” However, in past years we don’t recall birding with gloves on. We spent the morning birding in our neighborhood, walking familiar roads and visiting reliable spots for certain birds. We were not disappointed, since we saw both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles in their usual habitat. A nearby pond yielded the expected Great Egret but the highlight was a pair of Blue-winged Teals paddling serenely on the water. Driving between properties scared up at least one Wild Turkey.
Photo by Dolores Goodson
We walked on Phillips Farm in Waterford and watched a Bald Eagle being chased by a murder of crows! Two Northern Rough-winged Swallows posed by the creek for a long time so that everyone could get a good look. And the Belted Kingfisher made his usual appearance.
On May 4th, as three of the team were driving to pick up other members, we stopped by Milltown Farm to listen for the Bobolinks. Sure enough, they had arrived. That gave us both of our signature birds, since we had seen the Eastern Meadowlarks the day before. In Purcellville, at the east end of the Chapman DeMary trail, four Common Ravens seemed to be having a small convention.
The highlights of the Riverpoint Trail in Leesburg were Solitary Sandpipers bobbing their tails, Red-Shouldered Hawks both sitting on the nest and bringing food to the nest, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher starting a nest in the fork of a small tree with spider’s silk. We also observed lots of turtles sunning on logs in Goose Creek. The most stunning of these was the Northern Red-bellied Cooter, showing off his large size and red belly.
On our way home we passed by the Ash George pond once more. We were rewarded with a great look at an Osprey, clutching some small creature in its talons. Good for the Osprey, bad for the creature! The final count for the team was 70 species (see list below).
Read about the adventures of the other teams on the 2023 Birdathon Team Summaries page.
Photo by Dolores Goodson
Species List
Canada Goose – 21
Blue-winged Teal – 2
Mallard – 4
Wild Turkey – 1
Mourning Dove – 10
Chimney Swift – 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 1
Solitary Sandpiper – 3
Greater Yellowlegs – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 5
Great Blue Heron – 2
Great Egret – 1
Green Heron – 2
Black Vulture – 8
Turkey Vulture – 7
Osprey – 1
Bald Eagle – 2
Red-shouldered Hawk – 6
Red-tailed Hawk – 3
Barred Owl – 1
Belted Kingfisher – 2
Red-headed Woodpecker – 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker – 6
Downy Woodpecker – 3
Hairy Woodpecker – 1
Pileated Woodpecker – 2
American Kestrel – 1
Eastern Phoebe – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher – 2
Red-eyed Vireo – 1
Blue Jay – 20
American Crow – 10
Fish Crow – 2
Common Raven – 4
Carolina Chickadee – 7
Tufted Titmouse – 6
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – 17
Tree Swallow – 2
Barn Swallow – 5
White-breasted Nuthatch – 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 8
House Wren – 4
Carolina Wren – 6
European Starling – 10
Gray Catbird – 6
Brown Thrasher – 4
Northern Mockingbird – 8
Eastern Bluebird –16
Wood Thrush – 2
American Robin – 18
House Sparrow – 4
House Finch – 17
American Goldfinch –119
Chipping Sparrow – 1
Field Sparrow – 5
White-throated Sparrow – 6
Song Sparrow – 8
Eastern Towhee – 2
Bobolink – 5
Eastern Meadowlark – 4
Orchard Oriole – 1
Baltimore Oriole – 1
Red-winged Blackbird – 20
Brown-headed Cowbird – 3
Common Grackle – 6
Black-and-white Warbler – 1
Common Yellowthroat – 5
Yellow Warbler – 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 4
Northern Cardinal – 24