By Michael Sciortino
On Feb. 28, 2026, spring was in the air during our monthly bird walk at Sweet Run State Park! Twenty-three birders attended the February Sweet Run bird walk on a spectacular Saturday morning … much has changed since the recent frozen days.
The walk was led by Scott Harris, Michael Sciortino, and Carol Sottili. The group recorded 40 species during the event. The area surrounding the visitor center was active with vocalizations coming from all directions. White-throated Sparrows whistled from the brambles, Eastern Bluebirds burbled from the trees, and American Robins perched in the distance to the north. The group was rewarded with the sights and sounds of a lone Brown Creeper as it made its way up the trunk of a small tree on the approach to the pond. Once it made its way to the top, it flew off to the bushes across the field.
After stopping for a quick look at Wortman Pond (which was quiet), we headed in the direction of the Farmstead Loop via the Demory Field. Activity began to pick up but slowly. Various woodpeckers were active as we quickly recorded Northern Flickers and Red-bellied, Downy, and Pileated Woodpeckers after entering the woods. We would eventually see and hear a Hairy Woodpecker and a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. The sapsuckers will soon be heading north for the summer.
The Old Bridge crossing was quiet, as was the slope on the assent toward Arnold Lane. At the junction of the Old Bridge Trail and Arnold Lane, activity picked up and we had numerous looks at White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and batches of White-throated Sparrows. We made our way toward the powerline cut and were rewarded with the sighting of two
American Kestrels: one was resting in a cavity on the wooden powerline tower as the other flew and perched on a line. A Common Raven was to the right of us tending to a nest high up on the iron powerline tower … it looks as though they will be nesting there again this season.
As we scanned the field, fences, and trees, two Wood Ducks flew overhead traveling to the north. Eastern Bluebirds and Northern Mockingbirds kept an eye on us while we scanned. We made our way back to the visitor’s center after circling the Demory Field. We could feel that spring was just around the corner … the birds thought so too as they were busy getting ready. (For a complete
list of the birds observed on the walk, see the list below.)
In addition to walks at a variety of locations throughout the county during spring and fall migration, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy schedules three regular monthly bird walks: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on the second Saturday of every month, Algonkian Regional Park on the third Sunday, and Sweet Run State Park on the fourth Saturday. Please check out our website for our
upcoming Celebrate Birds events that will occur between April 25 and May 17, including our annual Birdathon.
Click here for more information on Sweet Run State Park,
Location: Sweet Run State Park Visitor Center, Loudoun, Virginia, US
Date: Feb 28, 2026 8:09 AM – 10:39 AM
Protocol: Traveling 1.217 mile(s)
Checklist Comments: These are the results of the February 2026 bird walk hosted by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. The walk was led by Scott Harris, Michael Sciortino, and Carol Sottili.
40 species
- Canada Goose 15
- Wood Duck 2 Flyover going north. Seen and heard.
- Wild Turkey 1
- Mourning Dove 2
- Killdeer 1 Heard at the end near the visitor center.
- American Herring Gull 1
- Black Vulture 1
- Turkey Vulture 6
- Red-shouldered Hawk 2
- Red-tailed Hawk 2
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
- Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker 1
- Pileated Woodpecker 3
- Northern Flicker 2
- American Kestrel 2 Great looks at the power line cut…both working on the nest cavity on the right power line pole.
- Blue Jay 6
- American Crow 28
- Fish Crow 1
- Common Raven 3 Nesting on the iron power line tower.
- Carolina Chickadee 4
- Tufted Titmouse 4
- Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
- White-breasted Nuthatch 2
- Brown Creeper 1
- Carolina Wren 4
- European Starling 4
- Northern Mockingbird 2
- Eastern Bluebird 14
- American Robin 25
- Cedar Waxwing 21
- House Finch 2
- American Goldfinch 2
- White-throated Sparrow 8
- Song Sparrow 8
- Swamp Sparrow 2
- Eastern Towhee 2
- Red-winged Blackbird 3
- Northern Cardinal 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S304598755
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