Red-tailed Hawk
Photo by Bryan Henson
More than 20 birders came out for a walk led by Allison Gallo and Bryan Henson at the Leesburg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League on October 8. The walk felt like fall with cool temps and a steady breeze. As we started the walk, we found several Eastern Bluebirds and Chipping Sparrows in the trees near the meeting house. When we approached the first Chimney Swift tower we spotted a Chimney Swift flying far away in the sky.
The wood proved quiet until we reached the pond. As we came to the pond’s edge, we spotted both species of kinglets: Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned. Carolina Wrens and Carolina Chickadees were also calling from the edges of the woods. Along the side of the pond, we hit a flock of birds containing several Cape May Warblers (both bright and drab individuals) and several Yellow-rumped Warblers. Eastern Phoebes and Red-bellied Woodpeckers also caught our attention. Two Red-tailed Hawks perched in the canopy and eventually one of them on an open snag, allowing us to get good looks. It was a very nice way to spend a fall morning.
A complete list of species seen can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S151702150
Photo by Allison Gallo