Monthly Bird Walk at Sweet Run Had 42 Species

Loudoun Wildlife’s monthly bird walk at Sweet Run State Park brought out 12 birders including some new people and some who have been on many walks.  It was pretty hot and muggy, so we did the Farmstead loop trying to stay in the shade.  We got great looks at a Green Heron and a Louisiana Waterthrush at the pond.  At the meadow, we wondered where the bluebirds and Tree Swallows were, then one of each flew by.  We also had a nice look at a White-breasted Nuthatch.  Along the path to the bridge we heard Red-eyed Vireos, Acadian Flycatchers, a Wood Thrush, and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  After the bridge, we saw an Orchard Oriole, heard a Common Yellowthroat, Scarlet Tanager, Kentucky Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker and Indigo Bunting.  We went up the hill and then into the meadow again, which was now in the sun.  This gave us Field Sparrows, more Common Yellowthroats, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Gray Catbirds for a total of 42 species.  The complete list of species can be viewed on eBird at:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S262945144.