Loudoun Wildlife hosted the August 2023 Banshee Reeks bird walk on a typically hot and muggy morning. Seventeen birders joined Michael Sciortino and Bruce Hill to record 52 species during the 2.5 mile walk that lasted three hours. The complete list of birds recorded can be viewed below or on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S147058516.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
As usual, the parking area was busy with activity: an Indigo Bunting, Common Yellowthroat, Common Raven and White-eyed Vireo called from the nearby fields as we gathered. We took an easterly route and tried to stay in the shade for most of the walk. Eastern Bluebirds were plentiful around the community garden with a Blue Grosbeak joining them. We heard numerous Field Sparrows in the main field and fields off the Greenway Trail. As we looked toward the silos, we spotted a lone Yellow-billed Cuckoo that sat atop a tree for all to see. This cuckoo would be the first of six that we saw during the walk. White-eyed Vireos were in abundance on the Greenway Trail, but it was difficult to get a good look at them while they chipped and chortled deep in the brush.
The group made its way to the Beaver Pond and was treated to good looks at a Green Heron hunting on the near side of the pond. It was exciting to see the heron on the normally quiet pond. Then we headed towards the Cathedral Trail where we started recording Red-eyed Vireos, and their number began to creep up. The race was on between the two vireo species. As was the case with the White-eyed species, the Red-eyed Vireos were difficult to spot but were easy to hear.
After a quick look at the Goose Creek from the overlook area (and hearing one Belted Kingfisher), we returned via the Goose Creek trail. The trail was exposed to the sun, but the route did provide us excellent looks at a juvenile Bald Eagle that circled overhead. This would be the second observation of a Bald Eagle as an adult was spotted just before the walk started.
While we were tallying at the picnic benches, we recorded one Eastern Kingbird in the trees above as we watched Ruby-throated Hummingbirds come and go to the feeders on the Spring House. Even with the hot and muggy conditions, it was a successful walk with participants looking forward to cooler temperatures in September.
Luna Moth found during walk.
Photo by Lisa Streckfuss
Species List
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 1
Mourning Dove 2
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 6
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Killdeer 1 Heard flying over.
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 20
Turkey Vulture 5
Bald Eagle 2 One mature and one adolescent.
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 1 Heard at the Goose Creek overlook.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 7
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 9
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 8
Fish Crow 1
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
House Wren 4
Carolina Wren 5
European Starling 2
Gray Catbird 15
Brown Thrasher 2
Northern Mockingbird 6
Eastern Bluebird 30
Wood Thrush 1
American Robin 5
Cedar Waxwing 3
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 12
Field Sparrow 6
Eastern Towhee 6
Yellow-breasted Chat 4
Orchard Oriole 1
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Northern Cardinal 8
Blue Grosbeak 3
Indigo Bunting 8