Eight Wilson’s Snipes Found at Dulles Wetlands

On an unusually cold morning for early December, nine birders visited the Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project on December 6. The ground was lightly covered with snow and much of the water was frozen, resulting in only flyover waterfowl. This was disappointing because waterfowl are one of the main reasons we visit the Wetlands. However, we did find several Killdeers and Wilson’s Snipes. The latter, with their cryptic coloration and long bills, are always fun to watch.

Other highlights included a number of Hermit Thrushes and Swamp Sparrows. Both species, and especially the thrushes, were very vocal and very visible.

The complete list of species is below and can be viewed on eBird (along with photos) at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S287496281.

Species List:
Canada Goose 35
Mallard 3
Killdeer 4
Wilson’s Snipe 8
hawk sp. 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 4
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 40
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Carolina Wren 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 8
Hermit Thrush 7
American Robin 4
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Goldfinch 2
White-throated Sparrow 25
Song Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 7
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Northern Cardinal 6