Sunday Morning Bird Walks
The weekly Sunday morning
bird walks are held every Sunday morning all year. Walks are led by experienced birders and all are welcome.
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Green Heron at Dyke
Marsh - photo by Ed Eder
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2007 Bird Species Tally
The Friends of Dyke Marsh has compiled a weekly count of the bird species
observed at the marsh this year.
To view the file, click on the link below. When finished reading, click your
browser's "BACK" button to return here.
2007 - Current Bird Species Tally.
2006 - Last Complete Year Tally.
The most
recent reports are found at the top of the page; be
sure to scroll through the reports to view the earlier sightings.
Sightings
The weekly Sunday morning Friends of Dyke Marsh bird walk was rather hot. Eight people showed up for a muggy morning of bird watching. The birds were initially very quiet and still like the air. As the morning progressed the birds became more active. A Baltimore Oriole nest was found along the main trail and we saw the birds visiting the nest several times. A single Marsh Wren was heard singing at the end of the board walk but we did not see the bird. On our way back, Betsy True, one of the participants found a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nest. We got some great looks of the birds visiting the nest though her scope. The Caspian Terns and Forster Terns we saw were "lifers" for two of the participants. Way cool!
In addition to the birds we also saw a common garter snake and a northern water snake swimming, and a snapper turtle along the trail.
After the trip, I visited the Marina again to check on the Northern Rough-winged Swallows that Larry Cartwright mentioned and to take a few picture from the young Ospreys.
In spite of the hot weather we did well. Gerco Hoogeweg, Vienna, VA.
Location: Dyke Marsh
Observation date: 6/8/08
Number of species: 44.
Canada Goose 30
Mallard 19
Double-crested Cormorant 30
Great Blue Heron 15
Osprey 12 (3 nests at least and the nest at the marina has 2 young)
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Caspian Tern 3
Forster's Tern 3
Rock Pigeon X
Mourning Dove 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 1
Tree Swallow 8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 6
Marsh Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 (one nest was found)
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 7
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 6
Common Yellowthroat 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 12
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 40
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
Orchard Oriole 7
Baltimore Oriole 4
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 17
House Sparrow 6.
Sightings
Well, migration is over, and the birds are consumed by the serious business of making babies. Perhaps the birders were, too, as there was exactly 1 participant in this week’s walk. However, a good time was had by all. Best birds were a first year male blue grosbeak singing just north of the Stone Bridge, and a prothonotary warbler singing to the left of the Haul Road just 20 yards from the beginning. Otherwise, the most interesting sighting was 3 different watersnakes swimming across open water. Full list follows, with relevant notes for the breeding bird survey:
Cormorant 1
Goose 26
Wood duck 7
Mallard 34 (mating – well, that would be the nice way of putting it, as a good time was clearly not had by all)
Great blue 1
Osprey 8 (nesting, duh)
Mourning dove (nest building)
Hummer (courtship display)
Red-bellied woodpecker 2
Downy 2
Acadian flycatcher 1
Great crested 1
Kingbird 5
Jay 1
Fish crow 3
Red-eyed vireo 2
Warbling vireo 2
Robin 2
Mocker 1
Starling 28
Carolina wren 6
Gnatcatcher 3
Tree swallow 5
Barn swallow 1
Chick 3
House sparrow 2
Goldfinch 10
Parula 2
Yellow warbler 2
Prothonotary 1
Yellowthroat 3
Song sparrow 2
Cardinal 8
Blue grosbeak 1
Orchard oriole 3
Baltimore 3
RWBB 25
Grackle 12
Cowbird 2.
Ben Jesup - June 1, 2008.
Sightings
An interesting day at Dyke Marsh for the regular Sunday Field Trip sponsored by the Friends
of Dyke Marsh and free to all who attend. The first interesting item was some sort of running
or jogging event which completely consumed all parking spots by 6AM! (This did not seem
to be good planning. It also changed my plans for early morning birding along the Hike-Bike
Trail – oh well!) The second item was the weather forecast the day before was favorable for
migrants and participants were not disappointed! Initially, I put in an effort to find migrants for
the first 2 hours before the Field Trip. I concentrated on the marina and picnic area until the
regular start time of 8AM. Fortunately, a few people showed up despite the parking lot snafu
(about 10, down by a factor of 2-3X based upon historical reports) and the field trip
commenced more or less normally from that point on. After the Field Trip, I walked the
Hike-Bike Trail (the running event was over) for the next 2 hrs and tallied those notables.
Highlight of the Field Trip was undoubtedly a pair of male Summer Tanagers which flew over
flew the trees near the beginning of Haul Rd – a great surprise! Also, a fine selection of
migrant warblers and orioles were found that nearly all participants got on with great looks.
The Orchard and Baltimore Orioles – of various ages – were a delight to behold and we got
scope views of these. Ditto for the Eastern Kingbirds, many of which put on a flight show
over our heads. Hunting Creek Bay produced a pair of female Red-breasted Mergansers.
We could hear a House Wren and Prairie and Black & White Warblers near the trees
between us and the ramp road. We visited a few of the traditional spots, such as the Osprey
nest near the marina boat ramp where mama was found sitting upon eggs. Yellow Warbler
was nearby all looked upon. Cedar Waxwings were high up in the trees adjacent to ramp
road and put on a good show in the morning – I estimated 50 all told.
Near the beginning of the Haul Rd we found cooperative Black-throated Blue and American
Redstart. Plus Red-eyed Vireo, a less than cooperative Northern Parula, a couple of Gray
Catbirds and some of the local residents. The end of dogleg produced a Swamp Sparrow,
more orioles and Yellow Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Glimpses of a pair of Great
Crested Flycatchers and a Warbling Vireo were all we could manage. We were unable to find
any Marsh Wrens.
Before the Field Trip, the boat ramp road area and nearby picnic grounds held a few other
birds such as Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Bay-breasted, and Canada Warblers and a
White-crowned Sparrow. My early afternoon stroll on the Hike-Bike Trail produced several
Prothonotary Warblers, more Warbling Vireos and additional Northern Parulas and Red-eyed
Vireos. Hunting Creek mudflats added Greater Yellowlegs and Spotted Sandpiper. I put the
whole list of 73 species below so others can get a feel for what was present that morning.
C. Goose 8
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 5
Red-breasted Merganser 2
DC Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 3
Osprey 12, nests on the barge and crane have been taken down, a shame as eggs were
likely present; also an apparent violation of the federal migratory bird act
Bald Eagle 2, one adult
Killdeer 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Laughing Gull 55, various groups flying over
Ring-billed Gull 110
Herring Gull 1
Caspian Tern 8
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 8
Red-bellied WP 4
Downy WP 4
Hairy WP 1
No. Flicker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 11
Warbling Vireo 7
Red-eyed Vireo 12
Blue Jay 20
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 1
Tree Sw 8
No. Rough-winged Sw 2
Barn Sw 4
C. Chickadee 6
T. Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
C. Wren 8
H. Wren 1
RC Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 13
Am. Robin 7
Gray Catbird 2
No. Mockingbird 1
E. Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 50
Nashville 1
No. Parula 11
Yellow 7
Chestnut-sided 1
Black-thr Blue 3
Yellow-rumped 5
Prairie 1
Bay-breasted 1
Black & White 1
Am. Redstart 1
Prothonotary 5, easiest spot is the Big Bridge over the gut on the Hike-Bike Trail
Common Yellowthroat 6
Canada 1
Summer Tanager 2
Scarlet Tanager 1
E. Towhee 1
Song Sp 4
Swamp Sp 1
White-thr Sp 7
White-crowned Sp 1
No. Cardinal 19
Indigo Bunting 3
Red-winged BB 34
Com Grackle 23
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Orchard O 12
Baltimore O 10
House Finch 4
Am. Goldfinch 15
House Sp 4.
Kurt Gaskill - May 4, 2008.
Sightings
The regular Sunday morning (8am) Field Trip to Dyke Marsh, sponsored by the
Friends of Dyke Marsh for the last 18 yrs or so and open to all participants
met today at the picnic area to a breeze in slightly cool weather, and over
cast skies. It was a not as active today bird-wise as last Sunday, perhaps
due to the weather or the impending weather front coming upon us. Highlight
was a Common Goldeneye, spotted near the end of the trip from the boardwalk;
42 species were recorded.
We started off at the Potomac River's edge and scanned through the ca. 700
Canada Geese. We found American Black Ducks, a small group of Buffleheads,
many Mallards, 2 Pied-billed Grebes a Double-crested Cormorant and a large
group of American Coots (whose numbers today were about 400, reduced from
last week). Two adult Bald Eagles flew about and the typical 4 gull species
were easily noted. On the mudflats of Hunting Creek, 5 Great Egrets were
spotted.
The picnic area produced not one but 2 Brown Creepers giving all fine views
as they climbed tree trunks near the water's edge. In the marina area we
spotted a single Lesser Scaup - or at least it seemed like a Lesser Scaup!
This bird appeared to have faded adult male plumage of Lesser Scaup but with
a white band near the nail of the bill. Unfortunately, we did not have a
scope with us at this time, so this observation is suspect. Otherwise, the
bird had a flattish head - although not peaked over the eye - and had the
aforementioned male character. It did not hold its head up like a
Ring-necked Duck, nor have any Ring-necked plumage characteristics (or
characteristics similar to hybrids, see Mullarney et al, "Birds of Europe"
for some paintings of hybrid divers and text), and so it is thought to be a
Lesser Scaup with a slightly out of character bill coloration.
The trip down Haul Rd produced not one but 2 very shy Winter Wrens which
were quite vocal with their "telegraph-like" call notes yet maintaining
strict avoidance of visibility to the observers. Oh well!
We spotted a dozen Hooded Mergansers and then 6 Ruddy Duck in the marina
lagoon. The sparrows were thickest along the dogleg with at least 10 Swamp
Sparrows noted and even more Song and White-throated Sparrows were present.
On the boardwalk we spotted the previously mentioned Common Goldeneye,
female, off the nearby island. On our way back to the car, we got a few
drops of drizzling rain upon us, but nothing too significant.
Next week Larry Cartwright leads the last official Field Trip of the year -
Christmas Bird Counts start after that. (Of course if you visit Dyke please
send your field list to this author for addition to the FODM database.) All
are welcome to join in the upcoming CBCs - contact me if you have interest
in Dyke Marsh for Saturday, Dec 15 or helping out in the Fort Belvoir CBC
Sunday Dec 30. Thanks much!
Kurt Gaskill - December 2, 2007.
Sightings
Larry Cartwright led the regular Sunday morning Field Trip to Dyke Marsh
today, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh for about the last 18 years
and open to all comers - we meet in the picnic area by the first parking
lot. About 7 people joined today under partly sunny skies, relatively
windless conditions and jacket weather (50-60F). It was an average day for
the trip, netting about 51 species.
We started off checking the ducks in the river and noted the many Ruddy
Ducks and American Coots. Mixed in were Gadwall, Mallard, No. Shoveler, and
Bufflehead. Later on a group of Lesser Scaup few past and then a smaller
second group sat down amidst the other ducks. Whilst watching the ducks,
an Osprey hovered into view.
Haul Road produced many calling, yet hidden, White-throated Sparrows. An
adult Red-shouldered Hawk was near the marina - later we spotted a first
year Red-shouldered Hawk along the dogleg. Just before the dogleg, we heard
a Winter Wren and it was reticent to show itself (typical!). As we walked,
Northern Flickers flew past. Yellow-rumped Warblers were along the dogleg
and, near the end, many more by the boardwalk; Cedar Waxwings were also at
this location. And we actually starting seeing sparrows along the dogleg!
A White-crowned Sparrow was near the end, too. We spotted a couple of
Turkey Vultures and a Sharpie over the trees to the west. On the way back,
we heard a Rusty Blackbird near the marina. The trip list is below.
Kurt Gaskill
Larry's scribe!
PS The DC CBC is 15 Dec and volunteers for the Dyke Marsh Sector are always
welcome! Lots of ground to cover and many interesting places that typically
sees few birders. Send Rich Rieger a note if you're interested -
zelig88 AT aol.com
C. Goose 110
Gadwall 8
Mallard 40
No. Shoveler 20
Lesser Scaup 40
Bufflehead 8
Ruddy Duck 600
DC Cormorant 12
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Am. Coot 700
Laughing Gull 500
Ring-billed Gull 15
Herring Gull 1
Great Black-backed Gull 8
Mourning Dove 40
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-bellied WP 8
Downy WP 5
No. Flicker 9
Blue Jay 12
Am. Crow 1
Fish Crow 15
C. Chickadee 10
T. Titmouse 6
C. Wren 9
W. Wren 1
GC Kinglet 2
RC Kinglet 1
Am. Robin 12
No. Mocker 2
E. Starling 140
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
E. Towhee 1
Song Sp 10
Swamp Sp 8
White-thr Sp 40
White-crowned Sp 1
No. Cardinal 6
Red-winged BB 25
Rusty BB 1
Common Grackle 12
House Finch 8
Am. Goldfinch 35
House Sparrow 20. November 4, 2007.
Sightings
Ed Eder led the regular Sunday morning Field Trip to Dyke Marsh, sponsored
by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, meets at 8AM near the first picnic area
parking lot, open to all comers and ongoing for about 18 years.
Top birds today were the Common Moorhen (photo send to me by Ed) mixed in
with the Coots in the SAV beds just off the north picnic area. Other
interesting sightings detailed by Ed were Horned Grebe and Blackpoll
Warbler. Ed's notes are copied below. Not mentioned by Ed but seen by Jay
Keller in the early afternoon were 3 Surf Scoters, also off the picnic area.
Two of these Surf Scoters were noted yesterday.
Kurt Gaskill
Dyke Marsh Conditions: Partly cloudy, gusty winds to 35 mph, 52 species.
Pied billed grebe 4
Horned grebe 1
DC Cormorant 72
GBH 1
Great Egret 6
Canada Goose 165
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 40
Northern Shoveler 30
Bufflehead 28
Ruddy Duck 650
Bald Eagle 4
Red Shouldered Hawk 1
Common Moorhen 2
American Coot 800
Laughing Gull 500
Ring Billed Gull 500
Herring Gull 3
Greater BB Gull 7
Caspian Tern 1
Rock Dove 21
Mourning Dove 17
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red=Bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 12
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 2
Carolina Wren 5
Golden Crowned Kinglet 1
Ruby Crowned Kinglet 4
American Robin 5
Eastern Bluebird 1
European Starling 55
Cedar Waxwing 6
Yellow Rumped warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 4
White Throated Sp 5
Swamp Sp 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 110
House Finch12
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Chickadee 8
White Breasted Nuthatch. October 28, 2007.
SightingsSeveral people showed up for this week's Dyke Marsh bird walk
where all are
welcome each Sunday at 8 AM in the picnic area. It was one of
those days that
felt like it was not very birdy, but the list shaped up well at the end
with 66 species.
Several species of ducks and raptors were noted, with top birds
being heard-only RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and PURPLE FINCH, as
well as a late SPOTTED
SANDPIPER seen well by all, and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW off the
end of the boardwalk.
Canada Goose 155
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 1
American Wigeon 6
American Black Duck 2
Mallard 150
Blue-winged Teal 4
Lesser Scaup 2
Ruddy Duck 85
Pied-billed Grebe 22
Double-crested Cormorant 28
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 4
Osprey 1
Bald Eagle 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 145
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 165
Ring-billed Gull 45
Herring Gull 6
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Caspian Tern 1
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 15
Chimney Swift 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 7
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 10
Blue Jay 35
American Crow 18
Fish Crow 15
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
American Robin 45
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 135
Cedar Waxwing 40
Yellow-rumped Warbler 18
"Baypoll" Warbler 1 (calling overhead)
Palm Warbler 2
Song Sparrow 10
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 18
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 225
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 25
American Goldfinch 30
House Sparrow 22. Jay Keller - October 14, 2007.
SightingsEight people joined me for this Sunday morning's edition of the Dyke
Marsh birdwalk. The participants included Erik Oberg who assured me that
he is still functioning as the biologist for the NPS. The highlights included
several warblers associated with small chickadee and titmouse flocks at
Dead Beaver Beach (the open area facing the water just north of the peninsula on
Haul Road) and the Dogleg (the base of the peninsula). Hummingbirds were in
aggressive mode today, with two teaming up to harass a Pewee at the Dogleg
and another two giving chase to each other at the boardwalk. A small fixed-species
kettle of raptors over the treeline south of Haul Road provided the onlookers a
good deal of satisfaction. Duck numbers are disappointing. A handfull of
Green-wing Teal flying over the Little Gut was the only non-Mallard ducks we could
find.
Today's list:
Canada Goose 70
Mallard 80
Green-winged Teal 3
Pied-billed Grebe- 1
Double- crested Cormorant 22
Great Blue Heron 18
Great Egret 37
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Laughing Gull 550
Ring-billed Gull 300
Herring Gull 13
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Caspian Tern 3
Forster's Tern 11
Mourning Dove 22
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 14
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 12
Carolina Wren 16
American Robin 5
Gray Catbird 3
European Starling 30
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 3
Common Yellowthroat 1
Northern Cardinal 10
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Common Grackle 3
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 5.
Larry Cartwright - September 16, 2007.
Sightings
A fine turn out for Sunday's Field Trip to Dyke Marsh, sponsored by
theFriends of Dyke Marsh for the public each Sunday at 8 am. About
10 people showed up for great weather and the top highlight of the day was
likely the scope views of Trail's Flycatcher in the picnic area, near the river's
edge. Classic looks could be seen by all. Another top highlight was
Boneparte's Gull, spotted by Larry Cartwright. Over 60 species were found.
We started in the picnic area and found Pied-billed Grebe, Northern
Shoveler and Blue-winged Teal relatively close by. Two Bald Eagles (adults)
were on the mudflats and many Osprey were observed. Two Eastern
Kingbirds were nearby to the aforementioned Trail's Flycatcher. Pileated
Woodpecker was briefly seen here, too. A few Lesser Yellowlegs were on the SAV
mats.Walking down to the marina we came upon a small mixed group of
migrants with Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ruby-throated Hummer, Great Crested
Flycatcher, Yellow Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, and
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Caspian and Forster's Terns were flying this way and
that. Another Prothonotary was on Ramp Road which gave all fantastic
looks and a few Gray Catbirds were here, too.
At the boardwalk overlook at the end of Haul Road was a Red-shouldered Hawk,
more Blue-winged Teal, our first of season Green-winged Teal launching into
flight from a marshy island and 4 Tree Swallows.
Kurt Gaskill - September 2, 2007.
Sightings
Nine people attended the birdwalk at Dyke Marsh this morning, sponsored by the
Friends of Dyke Marsh. Migrants are definitely showing up. The waters off the
picnic area were very active. The floating maps of hydrilla held several groups
of shorebirds, including a dozen lesser yellowlegs, 6 least sandpipers, 1
semipalmated sandpiper, and 15-20 unidentified peeps (too far out). Also in the
vegetation were a pied-billed grebe, 6 blue-winged teal, 3 Forster's terns and
4 Caspian terns. Along the trail we encountered several small groups of orioles
of both species, 2 prothonotary warblers, both red-eyed and warbling vireos,
and a coot. Here is the list:
pied-billed grebe - 1
double-crested cormorant - 15
great blue heron - 4
great egret - 2
Canada goose - 26
mallard - 30
blue-winged teal - 6
osprey - 12
bald eagle - 1
American kestrel - 1 in picnic area
American coot - 1
lesser yellowlegs - 12
spotted sandpiper - 4
semipalmated sandpiper - 1
least sandpiper - 6
unidentified peep - 15-20
ring-billed gull - 6
great black-backed gull - 1
laughing gull - 3
Caspian gull - 4
Forster's tern - 7
mourning dove - 12
cuckoo sp. - 1
chimney swift - 3
ruby-throated hummingbird - 3
belted kingfisher - 1
red-bellied woodpecker - 4
downy woodpecker - 5
northern flicker - 3
eastern wood pewee - 4
eastern phoebe - 1
great crested flycatcher - 3
eastern kingbird - 4
barn swallow - 6 Carolina wren - 5
gray catbird - 7
northern mockingbird - 3
brown thrasher - 1
American robin - 75
blue-gray gnatcatcher - 6
Carolina chickadee - 4
tufted titmouse - 2
white-breasted nuthatch - 1
blue jay - 4
American crow - 2
fish crow - 8
European starling - 35
house sparrow - 14
warbling vireo - 1
red-eyed vireo - 1
house finch - 1
American goldfinch - 10
yellow warbler - 1
prothonotary warbler - 2
song sparrow - 3
northern cardinal - 8
red-winged blackbird - 25
common grackle - 3
brown[-headed cowbird - 5
Baltimore oriole - 5
orchard oriole - 3.
Marc Ribaudo
Woodbridge, VA - August 26, 2007.
Sightings
Ten birders joined us today for the weekly Dyke Marsh bird walk. It started
with very pleasant temperatures, warming up quickly as the sun rose. Bird
life seemed pretty quiet but there was a good bit of butterfly activity.
Following is our list:
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Egret 2
Green Heron 2
Canada Goose 9
Mallard 10
Osprey 7
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Ring-billed Gull 2
Caspian Tern 2
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Barn Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 27
Gray Catbird 6
Yellow Warbler 1
American Redstart 2
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 7.
Butterflies included:
Cabbage White
Pearl Crescent
Viceroy
Orange Sulphur
Monarch
Eastern tailed Blue
Sachem
Zabulon Skipper
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Silver spotted Skipper
Horace's Duskywing
Red Admiral.
Glenn Koppel and Mary Alice Koeneke - August 12, 2007.
Sightings
Seven birders joined me for this Sunday's edition of the Dyke Marsh
Bird Walk.
A mild, sunny, but breezy day welcomed our group. It appears that
that some of
the passerine breeders (Yellow Warbler for example) may have
already left, but
fall migrants (Laughing Gull, Forster's Tern, Caspian Tern) are
showing up.
Ospreys put on a show, with 19 present, including 2 nests still
containing
nestlings. On a sad note, we could not find one Marsh Wren or
Least Bittern.
Marsh Wrens have been on a downward slide for 7 years and Least
Bitterns seem
to have suffered a drastic decline between 2006 and 2007.
Today's observations:
Canada Goose- 140
Mallard- 80
Osprey- 19
Red-tailed Hawk- 1
Double-crested Cormorant- 6
Great Blue Heron- 30
Great Egret- 22
Turkey Vulture- 1
Laughing Gull- 6
Ring-billed Gull- 500
Herring Gull- 3
Great Black-backed Gull- 6
Caspian Tern- 2
Forster's Tern- 2
Rock Pigeon- 5
Mourning Dove- 6
Chimney Swift- 2
Downy Woodpecker- 6
Northern Flicker- 3
Great Crested Flycatcher- 2
Eastern Kingbird- 6
Warbling Vireo- 2
Red-eyed Vireo- 1
Blue Jay- 3
Fish Crow- 3
crow sp- 1
Tree Swallow- 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow- 2
Barn Swallow- 15
Carolina Chickadee- 8
Tufted Titmouse- 4
White-breasted Nuthatch- 2
Carolina Wren- 9
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher- 3
American Robin- 6
Gray Catbird- 2
European Starling- 14
Common Yellowthroat- 3
Song Sparrow- 2
Indigo Bunting- 1
Red-winged Blackbird- 25
Common Grackle- 2
Orchard Oriole- 2
Baltimore Oriole- 2
House Finch- 4
American Goldfinch- 10
House Sparrow- 26.
Larry Cartwright - July 22, 2007.
Sightings
A total of nine people turned out in typical midsummer weather for
this morning's bird walk at Dyke Marsh. No surprises, but
nonetheless a pleasant morning to be out and about before the
afternoon heat. The local Ospreys population seems to be enjoying
a successful breeding year -- the birds were flying all over the place
up and down the river. Both species of orioles had young begging to
be fed. While we only got a brief view of a Prothonotary Warbler,
another birder reported seeing three of them. The complete list
appears below.
Number of species: 44. Canada Goose 82 Mallard 47
Great Blue Heron 11 Great Egret 6 Osprey 20
Ring-billed Gull 3 Rock Pigeon 4 Mourning Dove 9
Chimney Swift 8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 3 Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 4 Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 12 Fish Crow 7
Tree Swallow 9 Barn Swallow 12
Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 11
Marsh Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 4 European Starling 50
Northern Parula 1 Yellow Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sparrow 2 Northern Cardinal 9
Indigo Bunting 2 Red-winged Blackbird 9
Common Grackle 7 Orchard Oriole 4
Baltimore Oriole 2 House Finch 8
American Goldfinch 14 House Sparrow 14. Bob Klarquist, July
15, 2007.
Sightings
Belated report from Dyke Marsh - Alexandria - glad some folks were able to
try for the Seaside Sparrow - Kurt Gaskill tells me that they breed along the
Potomac to around the Rappahanock River, so it didn't disperse as far as I
thought it might. A great spot by Rusty at the end of the boardwalk!
Some other fine birds include the now 2 American Wigeons that were dabbling
w. the mallards at the north end of the picnic area. Peter spotted us a Black
and White Warbler as we started down Haul Rd. and it was looking somewhat the
worse for wear. We spied a fledged cowbird being fed by a Carolina Wren and
Peter and Rusty picked up a fledged Yellow Warbler being fed by an adult male.
One Least Bittern gave us nice looks in the Little Gut. At least 2 Great Egrets
were present and an early stop by the mud flats produced 2 Killdeer and 3 Wood
Ducks. Ed Eder reported a Spotted Sandpiper that eluded us and also Brown
Thrasher w. young near the wood bridge on the peninsula. We missed the young
'uns, but got to see one adult.
Dyke Marsh walk is free and open to the public - starts at 8am Sunday in the
south parking lot, just off the Geo. Washington Pkwy. Complete list
follows.
C. Goose - 100
Wood Duck - 3
Am Wigeon - 2
Mallard - 30 - (some recently hatched young)
Least Bittern - 1
G. Blue Heron - 16
Great Egret - 2
Osprey - 14 - little ones about ready to leave the nest
killdeer - 2
RB Gull - 80
Herring Gull - 1
G black-backed Gull - 1
RoPi - 5
MoDo - 15
Chimney Swift - 8
RT Hummer - 1
B. Kingfisher - 4, 3 at Hunting Creek
R Bellied WP - 3
Downy WP - 4
No. Flick - 4
Eastern Kingbird -1- picked up a strip of paper and flew up into a Sycamore -
late nesting attempt?
RE Vireo - 1
Blue Jay - 5
Fish Crow - 11
Barn Swallow - 45
Car. Chickadees - 3
Tufted Titmouse - 2
WB Nuthatch - 2
C. Wren - 8
House Wren - 2
Blue gray Gnats - 4
Am Robins - 14
Catbird - 1
B. Thrasher - 1
Starlings - yes
Yellow Warb - 2, 1 Adult, 1 fledged young
B&W Warb - 1
Com Yellowthroat - 3
Seaside Sparrow - 1
Song sparrow - 2
Indigo Bunting - 2
RW Blackbird - 17
Common Grack - 13
BH Cowbird - 1 fledged young
Orchard Oriole - 12
Am Goldfinch - 9
House sparrow - 15. Rich Rieger, July 8, 2007.
Sightings
Wonderful cool temperature, low humidity, mostly blue skies and slightly
breezy conditions met about 10 participants to the Friends of Dyke Marsh
Sunday morning Field Trip, free to all and we meet at 8AM in the south
picnic area. Top bird was a male American Wigeon. Certainly not unknown in
the summer, but not often seen in JULY! I suspect it's the same as the one
observed a few weeks back in the same place - Hunting Creek Bay, between the
picnic area and the Stone Bridge.
Birds were quite active and we had a grand time watching them come and go in
the picnic area. Young Orchard Orioles were clearly on the wing, following
adults back and forth. An Eastern Phoebe hunting over the water in the
picnic area; probably a dispersal bird as the species does not breed at
Dyke. But House Wrens appear to be feeding young in the nearly dead tree in
the south central picnic area - the cavity is near the top of a vertical
limb stub. Eastern Kingbirds were also quite conspicuous in many locations
from the picnic area and along Haul Rd; all were amused during one instance
where 2 kingbirds ganged up on a Fish Crow. Osprey young are getting quite
big now and parents were doing a lot of fishing to keep up with the growth.
A single Prothonotary called from the woods next to Ramp Road but it would
not pish out. And a Gray Catbird is still in this same location. Down the
trail we heard an Acadian Flycatcher in the woods and later a pair of
Red-eyed Vireos - apparently adults. Only one faint Warbling Vireo was
heard in the woods just south of Dead Beaver Beach. Viewing from said beach
we could see Tree Swallows bringing food to a nest box - on a moored
sailboat! We suspect the Common Yellowthroats are nesting near the trail by
the dogleg bend - a singer was in the woods and a calling bird in some
nearby bushes. On the way back, a single Baltimore sung once along the
trail. And near the parking lot were a mixed group of chickadees and
titmice where the titmice were mostly juvies, some still showing gape
coloration.
The list follows.
C. Goose 10
Am. Wigeon 1
Mallard 12
DC Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 15+
Ring-billed Gull 2
Rock Pig 2
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 2
Red-bellied WP 2
Downy WP 5
No. Flicker 2
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
E. Kingbird 10
Warbling V 1
Red-eyed V 2
Blue Jay 2
Am. Crow 1
Fish Crow 3
Tree Sw 3
Barn Sw 10
C. Chickadee 5
T. Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
C. Wren 6
H. Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Am. Robin 18
Gray Catbird 1
E. Starling 25
No. Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 3
Song Sp 3
No. Cardinal 15
Red-winged BB 25
Common Grackle 20
Brown-headed Cowbird 6, juvies with adults on Ramp Rd
Orchard O 9
Baltimore O 1
House Finch 3
Am. Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 3+. - Kurt Gaskill, July 1, 2007.
Sightings
Another beautiful morning for the weekly Dyke Marsh walk. The
highlight was least bittern, which was unusually cooperative. From the platform at
the end of the boardwalk I found a brightly-colored one hunting on the mud
along the edge of the water (tide pretty low). I got it in the scope and we all got
great looks. It eventually flew out of view, and later we saw the same
one(?) fly over the marsh and drop into the grass. A little later we saw a rather
plain-looking least bittern flying over the grass, joined by a more
brightly colored bird. Rather than quickly dropping into the grass, they kept
flying until they disappeared behind some trees.
Other items of note were 4 each of baltimore and orchard oriole, with
one of the baltimores a young bird being fed by an adult. We saw a
goldfinch working on a complete-looking nest. Warbling vireos appeared to be absent
from the picnic area, but two males were loudly singing past the dogleg. All
the osprey nests appeared to be holding multiple large young. We heard at
least 2 marsh wrens singing from the grass, and I heard a house wren from the
picnic area. We also saw a brightly colored parrot in the marina.
Here is the list:
double-crested cormorant - 1
great blue heron - 5
least bittern - 2-3
mallard - 9
osprey - 14
herring gull - 4
mourning dove - 14
yellow-billed cuckoo - 1
chimney swift - 4
ruby-throated hummingbird - 1
red-bellied woodpecker - 2
downy woodpecker - 4
northern flicker - 2
great-crested flycatcher - 1
eastern kingbird - 3
purple martin 1
tree swallow - 7
northern rough-winged swallow - 2
barn swallow - 4
carolina wren - 10
house wren - 1
marsh wren - 2
gray catbird - 2
brown thrasher - 1
northern mockingbird - 2
American robin - 15 (picnic area full of them)
blue-gray gnatcatcher - 6
carolina chickadee - 6
tufted titmouse - 3
white-breasted nuthatch - 4
blue jay - 2
fish crow - 10
starling - 8
house sparrow - 8
warbling vireo - 2
red-eyed vireo - 1
house finch - 9
American goldfinch - 6
northern parula - 1
yellow warbler - 1
common yellowthroat - 2
song sparrow - 1
northern cardinal - 10
indigo bunting - 2
red-winged blackbird - 20
common grackle - 12
baltimore oriole - 4
orchard oriole - 4.
Marc Ribaudo - June 24, 2007.
Sightings
A wonderful clear morning that was coolish to start but started warming up
to late June temperatures near the end. And a typical Field Trip at Dyke,
sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to all (meet at 8am near the
first parking lot). The theme from last week was continued as more species
were going silent early in the morning, after singing for a bit. We managed
to see 3 different Orchard Orioles but heard only one Baltimore. The
grackles, starlings and robins were out in force and juveniles were evident.
A young Northern Mockingbird was on its own in the picnic area. Eastern
Kingbirds were found in several places - one good spot was the mulberry tree
near ramp road and the bathrooms which attracted several other birds
including a pair of Gray Catbirds. The main picnic area hosted a pair of
House Wrens - unusual at Dyke as 15 years of breeding bird surveys have yet
to produce a pair until today!
Osprey young are getting bigger - the nest near the boat ramp is a
photographer's delight and the young are already bigger than any passerine.
Keep up the good work! A few Mallards and Canada Geese were seen in Hunting
Creek Bay and the passages in between the islands off the marina - one such
passage held a nearly full grown Mallard with mom. We saw many Great Blue
Herons but no sign of Least Bitterns this time. Common Yellowthroats seem
to setting up house near the dogleg in Haul Road. The House Finch in the
Sycamore near the bridge along the dogleg nest appears to be occupied. And
the end of the dogleg at the board walk produced 4 Northern Rough-winged
Swallows hanging out in the bear branches of a tree.
Earlier in the morning, point counts along the bicycle path produced
Prothonotary Warbler, more orioles of the Orchard and Baltimore persuasion,
Acadian Flycatchers, a Red-bellied Woodpecker carrying food, and a Pileated
Woodpecker.
All in all a typical summer day of breeding at Dyke! - Kurt Gaskill - June 17, 2007.
Sightings
Notwithstanding the closure of the Geo. Washington Parkway for a
race, a total of 15 people turned out on a beautiful sunny morning for the weekly
Sunday bird walk at Dyke Marsh. A total of 47 species were seen. The highlights
were a Horned Grebe which flew in and landed right in front of us as we
were beginning the walk, nice lingering flocks of Ruddy Ducks and Red-breasted
Mergansers, and a sole Yellow-throated Warbler showing off in the sunlight. A pair of
Hermit Thrush kept leapfrogging each other as we moved down the path.
Yellow-rumped Warblers and Blue-grey Gnatcatchers made themselves
conspicuous -- a pair of Gnatcatchers have a nest underway right where the path makes a
dogleg to the left. The complete list appears below.
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 22
Red-breasted Merganser 13
Ruddy Duck 14
Horned Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 18
Great Blue Heron 9
Osprey 11
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Lesser Yellowlegs 2
Laughing Gull 8
Ring-billed Gull 30
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Caspian Tern 3
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
White-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 6
Tree Swallow 18
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 5
Carolina Wren 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Hermit Thrush 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 21
Northern Parula 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 14
Dark-eyed Junco 4
Northern Cardinal 25
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Common Grackle 8
American Goldfinch 14
House Sparrow 12. -
Robert Klarquist, April 22, 2007.
Sightings
Only two folks joined me for today's edition of the Dyke Marsh walk. Evidence
of spring was all around us despite the windy conditions. We found one Eastern
Phoebe in the parking lot and a second on Haul Road. One Dark-eyed Junco (not
normally a wintering bird at Dyke) was foraging in the picnic are. The river
hosted three Horned Grebes, Wood Ducks (3 pairs and a singleton), and small
numbers of Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, and
Lesser Scaup. Song Sparrows were everywhere. We observed a Hermit Thrush and a
perched Tree Swallow and heard an Eastern Towhee just south of Dead Beaver
Beach. Bonnie Ponwith conjured up a half dozen Killdeer in the marsh.
Five Osprey nests are now occupied.
1. The nest on the platform at Port O'Vecchio contained one bird
2. The nest on the pilings in the channel contained one bird
3. The nest at the marina is under construction with one bird carrying sticks
to the nest site
4. The nest at the root site on the island adjacent to the marina is under
construction with a bird ferrying sticks to the nest site
5. A new nest is under construction on the island south of the platform at the
End of Haul Road. This replaces the nest that was lost last July when heavy
winds blew down the snag hosting the original nest.
Today's totals:
Canada Goose 4 (no really, only 4)
Wood Duck 7
Mallard 25
Canvasback 4
Lesser Scaup 3
Bufflehead 20
Common Merganser 6
Red-breasted Merganser 10
Horned Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 12
Bald Eagle 4 (2 adults and 2 two to three year old birds)
Killdeer 6
Ring-billed Gull 200
Herring Gull 5
Great Black-backed Gull 18
Mourning Dove 3
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 8
Downy Woodpecker 5
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 10
crow sp. 5
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 10
Carolina Wren 14
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 40
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 80
White-throated Sparrow 40
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 18
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Brown-headed Cowbird 1
American Goldfinch 20
House Sparrow 5.
Larry Cartwright - March 18, 2007.
Sightings
Seasonably weather this morning at Dyke Marsh - that is, if you discount the
strong wind from the north! The wind made it chilly but the birds continue
to do their thing. An Osprey was reported carrying sticks to the Hunting
Creek Bay nest site. Three Osprey sites were occupied with an Osprey
sitting in last year's nest - the aforementioned Bay platform, the Port
O'Vecchio site, and the root site near the marina. Another Osprey was
spotted near Pipeline Bay. The cold wind did not stop the Tree Swallows as
several were spotted flying back and forth near the shoreline. A good duck
show with many divers coming close to the group for good looks (fortunately,
we had a scope for some of the other, more distant, looks!). Highlights for
this group were Gadwall (8), American Wigeon (18), Redhead (4), Bufflehead
(6) and Common and Red-breasted Mergansers. Plus 3 Horned Grebe with one
displaying obvious plumage change. As we started down Haul Road we were met
by a single Rusty Blackbird which came in pretty close - about 20 feet near
eye level. We all got fine looks at various Song Sparrow plumages as this
species was foraging along Haul Road along nearly its entire length. And as
we were scanning waterfowl from the first platform a migrating Eastern
Bluebird was heard. After the Field Trip - sponsored by the Friends of Dyke
Marsh and open to all comers every Sunday at 8AM - I went to the Hunting
Creek mudflats to check on gulls. No unusual gulls but there was one Field
Sparrow singing at the little wetlands by the apartment building. The day
ended with 50 species tallied.
By the way, since the Osprey activity signals the beginning of the breeding
season at Dyke Marsh, let me note that Friends of Dyke Marsh conduct a
breeding bird survey at Dyke. This will be the fourteenth year that the
survey using full BBS protocol employed will be done. Volunteers are always
welcome. Contact the coordinator, Larry Cartwright (prowarbler@verizon.net) for more information. By the way, this is a brilliant
opportunity to paddle a canoe into the marsh and find Marsh Wrens and Least
Bitterns! New birders are ALWAYS welcome! Kurt Gaskill - March 11, 2007.
Sightings
A cold morning with little or no wind - 17 F (-8 C) and lots of ice greeted
a small turn out today (up to 5 at one point) for the regular Sunday morning
Field Trip to Dyke Marsh, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to
all. The day's highlight was the obvious (and seasonal) build up of Common
Mergansers on the Potomac; we estimated about 500 birds. The Bald Eagles
were down from last time I was here, 2 adults and 3 immatures. Close in to
the picnic area was the open water channel flowing out of Hunting Creek and
this attracted many Mallards, 2 American Black Ducks and the typical 3 gull
species. More American Black Ducks were out off the mudflats. Our trip down
into the marina netted our first look at a first cycle Red-shouldered Hawk
plus Bufflehead and Red-breasted Mergansers. The walk down Haul Road was a
constant feast of close in sparrows, including the leucistic (partially
white-headed) Song Sparrow that allowed us to get as close as 12 feet. A
single Gray Catbird called along the trail, and a couple of Winter Wrens and
Ruby-crowned Kinglet were along the first half of the trail. A surprise
just north of the dogleg was a Hermit Thrush - never common at Dyke. Along
the way we were met with many Red-winged Blackbirds singing "kok-a-lee";
northbound migrants that were putting in some practice on territory songs. A
single Common Grackle - another northbound bird - was near the bike trail. The
end of the trail near the boardwalk brought us more ducks and two Red-tailed
Hawks. On the way back we spotted a Fox Sparrow by the little bridge on the
dogleg. After the trip I checked the mudflats by the Stone Bridge and added 2
Killdeer. The list of today's 47 species follows.
C. Goose 860
Am. Black Duck 50
Mallard 60
Bufflehead 35
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 500
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 2
Ring-billed Gull 1000
Herring Gull 25
Great Black-backed Gull 15
Mourning Dove 8
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied WP 3
Downy WP 6
Hairy WP 2
No. Flicker 4
Blue Jay 4
Am. Crow 2
Fish Crow 15
crow sp. 50
C. Chickadee 5
T. Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 1
C. Wren 5
W. Wren 2
GC Kinglet 1
RC Kinglet 1
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 1
No. Mockingbird 3
E. Starling 5
Fox Sp 1
Song Sp 45
Swamp Sp 12
White-throated Sp 55
No. Cardinal 18
Red-winged BB 25
Common Grackle 1
Am. Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 6 Kurt Gaskill - February 11, 2007.
Sightings
Winter's mild touch came upon Dyke Marsh this morning where 6 birders met
for the weekly Sunday Field Trip (starts at 8am and free to all) - a chill
wind from the north caused us to break out the gloves for the duration. We
started off in the picnic area to a grand Bald Eagle show with about 10
immatures and 8 adults noted, most over the nearly frozen river-side
mudflats - and from that point on hardly 5 minutes would go by without
spotting a representative. Very Nice! This is one of the larger counts of
Bald Eagles at Dyke and certainly the largest during the month of January.
Could the cold weather have driven them to Dyke? Or have these been held up
from their northward travels by the cold front? Or has the local population
grown so that immature birds are just more common in these times? Whatever
the case, 2 adults were seen on/near the nest near the Wilson Bridge,
Maryland side.
We walked the river's edge to the marina and found very few passerines - the
wind must have swept them into the interior of the preserve. Red-breasted
Mergansers were easily found on the Potomac. A large group of Canada Geese
could be seen far to our north against the shoreline near the Stone Bridge.
A few scattered Bufflehead were more in the middle of the river. A pair of
Pied-billed Grebes was inside the marina bay area. Here we saw our second
Belted Kingfisher; all today appeared to be males.
Our walk down Haul Road produced many sparrows - Song and Swamp Sparrows
were evident in larger than usual numbers along the trail suggesting the
recent cold had sent them - we tallied 65 Song and 14 Swamp Sparrows for the
day. Only a few Red-winged Blackbirds were noted and just a single Winter
Wren was observed. We did chance upon a perched adult Cooper's Hawk which
presented scope views. Later, when it moved, the Blue Jays put up their
alarm calls. Near the dogleg, a large group of Song Sparrows eventually
produced a fleeting glance at an American Tree Sparrow - unfortunately not
long enough for Ed Eder to unholster his camera! But the Gray Catbird came
out and stayed visible for several minutes both on our first pass and then
on our second pass as we retraced our steps to the car. And a Brown Creeper
was spotted here by the keen eyes of Sandy Farkas. The remainder of the
trail produced more sparrows, both Golden-and Ruby-crowned Kinglets and more
views of waterfowl on the river including American Black Duck (close in to
the marsh), Common Mergansers, a single Hooded Merganser and many Lesser
Scaup. We noted a half dozen Great Blue Herons huddled on the island off
the end of the boardwalk and an adult Red-shouldered Hawk flew out from the
island and over our heads at trail's end.
After the trip, Sherman Suter and I visited the Hunting Creek mudflats at
the Stone Bridge but did not turn up anything unusual, although we tallied a
new species for the day with 7 Killdeer foraging over a section of unfrozen
mud. We netted 48 species at Dyke today. Kurt Gaskill - January 21, 2007.
Sightings
Five birders joined me for today's edition of the Friends of Dyke Marsh. The
day started poorly, but got progressively better, and the sun even briefly
appeared. Highlights were 2 Singing Fox Sparrows and a Field Sparrow near the
dogleg, 2 singing Winter Wrens on the peninsula near the boardwalk, and 9 Bald
Eagles (5 immature and 4 adults). Duck numbers are still low. Perhaps the front
pushing through this Tuesday will bring more birds to our area. Nothing really
noteworthy, but it was nice to see a fine assortment of sparrows. And Downy
Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches seemed to be everywhere!
Here are today's numbers for our records:
Canada Goose 770
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 25
Lesser Scaup 27
Bufflehead 2
Hooded Merganser 3
Red-breasted Merganser 28
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 8
Bald Eagle 9
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 130
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 40
Mourning Dove 12
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 9
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 13
American Crow 12
Fish Crow 15
Carolina Chickadee 14
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 20
Winter Wren 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 60
Field Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 35
White-throated Sparrow 45
Northern Cardinal 14
Red-winged Blackbird 15
American Goldfinch 15
House Sparrow 5.
Larry Cartwright - January 14, 2007.
Sightings
The first of the new calendar year Dyke Marsh Field Trip took place today
with nearly a dozen folks in attendance, and relatively mild January
weather. The highlight of the trip was a Peregrine Falcon perched on a low
branch stuck into the Hunting Creek mudflats (river side) first thing. We
also noted 4 Bald Eagles - all adults and two of which were perched in the
Maryland/Wilson Bridge nest. Red-breasted Mergansers put on a fine display
in Hunting Creek Bay as well as near the end of the board walk - great scope
views were had and their red eyes were easily seen! The walk down Haul Road
was mostly uneventful, both kinglets showed up and a Red-shouldered Hawk
perched on a tree on one of the islands. And over flying Gadwall was noted,
a couple of Bufflehead were in the river, a good-sized kettle of vultures
were noted over Maryland, a couple of north bound DC Cormorants were spotted
(huh?), a single Pied-billed Grebe off the boardwalk was observed and at
least 8 Winter Wrens were tallied, including 2 that actually showed
themselves for a sum total of 5 seconds and one singing. We tallied 40
species for the day.
Kurt Gaskill - January 7, 2007.
Sightings
Six birders joined me for the last scheduled walk at Dyke Marsh for 2006. The
walks are suspended during the Christmas Bird Count season and resume again 7
January 2007.
All three merganser species were present during the walk, including 3 Common
Mergansers reported by Kurt Gaskill. Both species of kinglets were observed and
these little dynamos put on quite a show. We also had great views of
Red-shouldered Hawks. Besides the kinglets, other winter visitors, including
Brown Creepers, Winter Wrens, and Swamp Sparrows have settled in. Kurt Gaskill
tallied a wintering Gray Catbird as well. The entire list of today's sighting
follows:
Canada Goose 750
American Black Duck 4
Mallard 160
Bufflehead 5
Hooded Merganser 14 (half drakes, half hens)
Common Merganser 3 (hens)
Red-breasted Merganser 19 (hens)
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Horned Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 15
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 700
Herring Gull 15
Great Black-backed Gull 24
Mourning Dove 105
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 7
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 1
crow sp 1
Carolina Chickadee 12
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 2
Carolina Wren 14
Winter Wren 7
Golden-crowned Kinglet 8
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 80
Song Sparrow 25
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 80
Northern Cardinal 16
Red-winged Blackbird 30
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 30
House Sparrow 10.
Larry Cartwright, December 10, 2006.
Sightings
Seven people joined me this morning for the regular Sunday Field Trip at
Dyke Marsh. It was a gorgeous day, bright blue skies and only a little on the
cold side. But there was nothing exceptional on the birding front. No vocal or
visual signs of the ten Winter Wrens noted last week, though the habitat is
just fine for them; I am sure there must have been some still around. Ditto for
the Fox Sparrow. But we did see quite a few Swamp Sparrows, including one
that sat up brilliantly for quite a while, giving one of our number a splendid
life bird.
The strangest bird was an immature Bald Eagle, with plumage characteristics
that none of us had ever seen before - looked more like an African Martial
Eagle! Details after the full list:
(NO Red-throated Loon)
(NO Pied-billed Grebe)
Double-crested Cormorant (about 8, all apparently immature birds)
Great Blue Heron (9)
Canada Goose (not counted)
Mallard (not counted)
Bufflehead (2 males and 6 females in a single group)
Red-breasted Merganser (5)
Bald Eagle (1 adult; 1 immature)
Red-shouldered Hawk (1)
Red-tailed Hawk (1)
Killdeer (18)
Laughing Gull (numbers well down now, only about 50 left)
Ring-billed Gull (many hundreds)
Herring Gull (17)
Great Black-backed Gull (22)
(NO terns)
Rock Dove (20+)
Mourning Dove (30+)
Belted Kingfisher (1)
Red-bellied Woodpecker (1)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1)
Downy Woodpecker (9)
Blue Jay (9)
American Crow (5)
Fish Crow (24)
Carolina Chickadee (11)
Tufted Titmouse (6)
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
(Brown Creeper: 1 reported by a participant, prior to start of Field Trip)
Carolina Wren (12+)
Golden-crowned Kinglet (7)
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (4)
(Hermit Thrush: 1 reported to us by a non-participant)
American Robin (1)
Northern Mockingbird (13)
European Starling (not counted)
(American Pipit: 2 fly-overs reported to us by a non-participant)
Eastern Towhee (6)
Song Sparrow (20)
Swamp Sparrow (8)
White-throated Sparrow (24 - much singing)
Northern Cardinal (18)
Red-winged Blackbird (one flock of about 30)
House Finch (8)
American Goldfinch (10)
House Sparrow (2)
The immature Bald Eagle: First spotted in bare trees near the new bridge,
Virginia side, very close to an adult bird. Later they were seen from the Stone
Bridge on two small 'bushes' in the mud flats, with the adult later coming
to the same 'bush' as the immature bird. Observed eventually at 500 yards
under 45 power telescope.
Size of the immature bird was equal to the adult, and they were clearly
"together".
The head of the immature bird was patterned like an Osprey, except that the
'white' bits were medium gray. The back was fairly typical: brown with many
flecks of white. The throat and upper breast appeared to be solidly dark
brown, with only a few small flecks of white; the lower border of this area was
a deep zig-zag. The strangest part was the lower breast and belly: clear white,
but dotted all over with black, which reminded me of a Martial Eagle. No
details of the tail could be seen. Stephen Eccles, December 3, 2006.
Sightings
Eight people joined me for the regular Sunday morning Field Trip at Dyke
Marsh, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to all. We started
in some medium morning fog which burned off into a beautiful day with light
breezes from the south. Top bird was Fox Sparrows: two of which perched up
nicely for all to see at close range - the first along Ramp Rd and the
second along the beginning of the dogleg. There was a third Fox Sparrow
singing brief stanzas of its song near Dead Beaver Beach.
We started out in the picnic area - now mostly bereft of leaves except for a
few bushes. Birding began with kinglets plus a couple of juncos -
curiously, juncos are never common at Dyke; the relative lack of conifers
for roosting may be the reason? Our scan of the Potomac produced only
Mallards plus the 4 typical gulls and a few DC Cormorants. Fortunately, Ray
Smith snatched a male Lesser Scaup out of Maryland waters to improve our
waterfowl list (good hands Ray!). Two adult Bald Eagles on the mudflats and
2 more found as the day wore on. Brown Creepers were also present in the
picnic area and all got fine looks of at least one. Belted Kingfishers put
on a good show starting from the picnic area and continuing through the
marina and then at the end of the trail on the boardwalk deck - including a
pair dueling over winter fishing rights. An immature Red-shouldered Hawk
near the marina got scope looks by all. More kinglets were observed along
Haul Road plus a single Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that was seen by a few.
Haul Road produced a good number of Winter Wrens - 10 in all - including 2
that broke out into song and a couple that actually SHOWED themselves!
Excellent numbers of White-throated Sparrows along the trail, too. As we
got to the marsh edge, we encountered many Swamp Sparrows. The trees held
finches -red and gold were the colors, plus Red-winged Blackbirds. At
trails end we added 2 Pied-billed Grebes near the island, had a flyby and
southbound Forster's Tern go past at arm's length, and, as we retraced our
steps to our cars, a Turkey Vulture popped up overhead.
I finished my day at Dyke counting gulls at the Stone Bridge near sunset -
the tide was lowish. Laughing Gull numbers were about the same at
Ring-billed Gulls - I tallied ca. 1350 each. Also there were 3 surprises -
a fourth year Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 male Bufflehead and a Red-throated
Loon. I tried to convert the loon into something more conventional or even
unconventional, but the dainty upturned bill and lack of chin strap stopped
me. The latter is a fine and unusual bird in our Northern Virginia area.
The species total was one shy of fifty. Kurt Gaskill November 26, 2006.
Sightings
Six birders joined me for this Sunday morning's version of the Dyke Marsh walk
(southern Fairfax County). We had great views of Bald Eagles, hunting
accipiters, and a Red-tailed Hawk. Cedar Waxwings and American Robins feasted
on poison ivy berries. Flyover Tundra Swans delighted the group. The big
disappointment is that there are still virtually no ducks present.
Today's list for our records:
Canada Goose 430
Tundra Swan 48 (Flyovers of 40, 8, and 2)
Mallard 60
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 10
Great Blue Heron 4
Ring-necked Duck 2
Bufflehead 1 (hen present with Canada Geese)
Bald Eagle 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Ring-billed Gull 170
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 12
Mourning Dove 62
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 30
American Crow 2
crow sp. 2
Carolina Chickadee 14
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 18
Golden-crowned Kinglet 12
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 50
Northern Mockingbird 10
European Starling 36
Cedar Waxwing 16
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 80
Northern Cardinal 24
Red-winged Blackbird 85
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 30
House Sparrow 2.
Larry Cartwright, November 19, 2006.
Sightings
Six people attended the Dyke Marsh walk this morning. It
was a beautiful day,
and we tallied 51 species. Highlights were a late green
heron in the marina, 2
Caspian terns, 6 pied-billed grebes, 4 phoebes, and 2
hermit thrushes. We also
saw one adult eagle swoop down and bowl over another
adult as it was dining on
a fish on a mudflat. The diner managed to hang on to its
meal.
Here is the list:
pied-billed grebe - 6
double-crested cormorant - 5
great blue heron - 5
great egret - 2
green heron - 1
canada goose - 60
mallard - 35
black duck - 2
ruddy duck - 8
turkey vulture - 1
bald eagle - 5
red-tailed hawk - 1
merlin - 1
american coot - 50
ring-billed gull - 60
great black-backed gull - 12
herring gull - 25
laughing gull - 50
Caspian tern - 2
Forster-s tern - 5
mourning dove - 10
belted kingfisher - 2
red-bellied woodpecker - 4
downy woodpecker - 3
northern flicker - 3
eastern phoebe - 4
ruby-crowned kinglet - 10
cedar waxwing - 8
carolina wren - 8
winter wren - 1
northern mockingbird - 6
hermit thrush - 2
American robin - 50
carolina chickadee - 9
tufted titmouse - 4
white-breasted nuthatch - 1
blue jay - 8
American crow - 3
fish crow - 15
starling - 40
yellow-rumped warbler - 20
field sparrow - 1
song sparrow - 16
swamp sparrow - 4
white-throated sparrow - 45
dark-eyed junco - 2
northern cardinal - 10
red-winged blackbird - 25
common grackle - 12
house finch - 5
American goldfinch - 12.
Marc Ribaudo,
Woodbridge, VA, October 29, 2006.
Sightings
A fine day at Dyke Marsh for 6 visitors during the regular Sunday Field Trip
at Dyke Marsh, sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and free to all.
Having great looks at a migrant flock in the picnic area was everyone's wish
and it was granted with a group near the boat ramp mostly coming down to the
20 foot level that left everyone pleased. We sat on a picnic table and
watched the them - first the Black-throated Greens. Then this Blackburnian.
The Black & White and Magnolia's stayed in the back ground. But the
Blackpolls came right down showing faint, blurry streaks on off-white
breasts. Then a Yellow Warbler came by - muted almost to a yellow-green all
over which Dunn indicates is the subspecies "amnicola". A Chestnut-sided
soon came down and showed all its lime-green back. A couple of
Yellow-rumped Warblers were present. And here and there were a few Northern
Parulas. All of this with a background of Forster's Terns diving nearby,
Bald Eagles flying about, huge groups of Laughing Gulls flying overhead, and
the usual Dyke Marsh woodpeckers (all the typical year-round ones were
seen), American Robins, etc.
Down the trail a few more warblers showed themselves, we spotted a calling
Swamp Sparrow, noted Coopers, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks. We also
spotted Red-eyed Vireo and Eastern Wood Pewee (and one of the latter was
singing). A Virginia Creeper high up in a tulip poplar attracted many
American Robins to its berries and to the delight of all one Gray-cheeked
Thrush! House Wren and Common Yellowthroats along the dogleg plus
Pied-billed Grebes and Green-winged Teal added to the day's lists. We noted
a few Turkey Vultures which obligingly flew across to Virginia and kettled
up over the picnic area. And Ed Eder told of us of a few Ruddy Duck at dawn
near the boar ramp. All told, the Field Trip netted 63 species.
Afterwards, I visited the Stone Bridge to add in a few species and check out
the shorebirds. The payoffs here were many Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, a
Pectoral Sandpiper with a bum leg, and 3 White-rumped Sandpipers.
What will next week bring?
Kurt Gaskill, October 1, 2006.
Sightings
Several participants showed this morning for the weekly Dyke Marsh bird walk,
and things were pleasant until we hit Haul Road. If you go to Dyke Marsh,
please prepare yourself with lots of insect repellant. Those that had it were
fine, while those of us that did not had a difficult time.
Few species of migrants were about, but there were several good birds to keep
it interesting. There were two PIED-BILLED GREBES - one off the picnic area,
the other off the end of the boardwalk, a continuing MARSH WREN chattering, a
returning SWAMP SPARROW, and five BALD EAGLES of varying ages perched on the
mudflats at low tide.
I heard a report of an American Golden Plover seen on the flats last evening,
but it was not present today. List follows - 51 species. Canada Goose 185
Wood Duck 11
Mallard 39
Pied-billed Grebe 2
Double-crested Cormorant 16
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 10
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 9
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Laughing Gull 800
Ring-billed Gull 175
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Caspian Tern 16
Forster's Tern 11
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 14
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 5 Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 17
American Crow 22
Fish Crow 16
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 9
House Wren 2
Marsh Wren 1
American Robin 25
Gray Catbird 16
Northern Mockingbird 9
European Starling 35
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 15
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 225
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 35
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 12
House Sparrow 15 -Jay Keller, September 24, 2006.
Sightings
Five of us enjoyed the weekly Dyke Marsh bird
walk, and were pleased to get a
respite from the recent hot weather with today's
temps not exceeding the
mid-seventies. Top birds were a LEAST TERN observed flying
south off the boardwalk area, and
two LEAST BITTERNS (one heard, one seen flying
across the open water), a couple
of FORSTER'S TERNS in the same area, and a
displaying MARSH WREN at the nest
near the footbridge on Haul Road.
I was not able to scan the mudflats after the walk
(high tide was before the
walk), so there were likely more Larids and possibly
some shorebirds in
addition to the SPOTTED SANDPIPERS and
KILLDEER seen off the boardwalk.
Several juvenile birds were observed today,
including BROWN THRASHER, GRAY
CATBIRD, and YELLOW WARBLERS among others.
The day's list of 60 species is below. Canada Goose 9
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 35
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Least Bittern 2
Great Egret 7
Green Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 14
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Ring-billed Gull 25
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 2
Least Tern 1
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 13
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 8 Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 8
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 7
Purple Martin 1
Barn Swallow 7
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 6
Marsh Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
American Robin 6
Gray Catbird 5
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 37
Cedar Waxwing 12
Yellow Warbler 6
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 4
Song Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 15
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 22
Common Grackle 9
Orchard Oriole 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
House Finch 18
American Goldfinch 32
House Sparrow 12 -
Jay Keller, July 23, 2006.
Sightings
Five birders braved a hot and humid day to join me
for today's edition of the
Dyke Marsh Sunday morning walk. It was rather
slow with disappointing misses,
such as Baltimore Oriole. However, it wasn't a total
wash. Highlights consisted
of a fledged Great Crested Flycatcher fledgling
being fed a preying mantis by
an adult in an area Jay Keller and I felt a nest might
be located during the
breeding bird survey, and 4 active Osprey nests
with an accumulated total of 8
nestlings. Kurt Gaskill reported Forster's Terns
yesterday, but we only came up
with a solitary Caspian Tern. Although most
songbirds were silent, 3 Warbling
Vireos persisted in song, 1 in the picnic area and 2
on the Haul Road peninsula.
Now today's totals:
Canada Goose 27
Mallard 65 (including a hen with 5
week-old ducklings in tow)
Great Blue Heron 12
Great Egret 13
Osprey 19 (including 8 nestlings)
Ring-billed Gull 300
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 3
Caspian Tern 1
Mourning Dove 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 4 (including 1 fledgling)
Eastern Kingbird 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 3
crow sp 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 40
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Carolina Wren 14
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 30
Common Yellowthroat 5
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 16
Common Grackle 1
Orchard Oriole 2
House Finch 5
American Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 3.
Larry Cartwright - July 16, 2006.
Sightings
9 July 2006 Sunday Dyke Marsh bird walk -
7 participants; tide filling and near full; sunny, warming;
light breeze from the south
Species identified:
C. Goose 23 adults + juv's
Mallards 35 adults & sub-adults
D.C. Corm. 1
Great Blue Heron 16
C. Egret 2 (probably Great Egret - DKG)
Osprey 10 adults, 3 juv's
gull sp. 1
Caspian Tern 1
Rock Pigeons 2
Mourning Doves 8
Chimney Swift 3 RBWP 4 adults, 2 juv's
Downey WP 2
No. Flicker 2 (a pair), 1 juv.
E. Kingbird 4
Warbling Vireo 1
Am. Crow 2
Fish Crow 1
crow sp. 8
Barn Swallows 21 adults & juv's
Car. Chic. 2
Car. Wren 6
Marsh Wren 2
B.G. Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 6 adults, 3+ juv's
Northern Mocker 1 adult, 1 juv.
Starling 11
Song Sparrow 1
Cardinal 13
Redwing Blackbird present
C. Grackle 4+
Orchard Oriole 1 female
House Finch 12
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 4 +
Best wishes, Roger Miller.
Sightings
The regular Sunday morning Field Trip to Dyke
Marsh, sponsored by the
Friends of Dyke Marsh, was met by sunny skies
and moderate morning
temperatures with little or no wind. The highlight of
today’s Discovery
were at least 2 Gray-cheeked Thrush singing near
the Haul Rd trailhead, and
2 Swainson’s Thrush nearby. Many got good, but
fleeting looks at these
birds (will they stay for the morrow?). Earlier,
Sandy Farkas and I had
visited this same spot and, after much studying of
bird song CDs, I conclude
there was also a Bicknell’s Thrush in this same
location earlier (about
0645) – the clincher being the low chuck notes
before every other phrase of
the Bicknell’s song which ends on flat or upward
notes (listen to your tapes
and you will hear them, also see the brief note in
Jonathan Alderfer’s new
book, “Complete Birds of North America”; there was
also an upslurred call
note from another location later)
Other highlights were 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoos one
near the dogleg bend and
the other just 200 yards down from the Haul Rd
trailhead. We got fine, but
distant looks at a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers
near Ramp Rd, and we
counted 5 Warbling Vireos and saw 2 of them (4
locations, the boat ramp,
half way down Haul Rd, and two on the dogleg).
We noted at least 8 Red-eyed
Vireos along Haul Rd (still migrating), 2 Marsh
Wren, an empty Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher nest on the dogleg (fledged I would
think), 2 pairs of Yellow
Warblers on the dogleg and a single on the island
near the marina, a calling
Prothonotary Warbler on the Haul Rd about 250 yds
south of the trailhead
(this one was a surprise, not a good habitat), a
Black & White Warbler
spotted by visitors from Louisiana, and 3 singing
Song Sparrows (marina,
dogleg bend, and half way down Haul Rd).
Everyone got fine looks at various
Orchard and Baltimore Orioles and we saw two
nests that were apparently
abandoned (?).
Before the Field Trip and near the end of the day I
checked a few spots and
found a dozen Wood Ducks near the Stone Bridge
and a Peregrine Falcon
strafing gulls on the river side mudflats, 27
Semipalmated Sandpipers (no
sign of yesterdays Dunlin), a couple of Laughing
Gulls, 4 Caspian Terns, and
Prothonotary Warbler where the bicycle trail
crosses the gut.
The combined totals are listed below to give you an
impression of the birds
at Dyke this last Sunday of May.
Kurt Gaskill, May 28, 2006.
C. Goose 15
Wood Duck 12
Mallard 23
DC Cormorant 32
Least Bittern 7 (spotted by BBS canoeists)
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 10 – well, there are at least 7 occupied
nests visible from the trail
plus one on a crane in MD waters
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 27
Laughing Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 65
Great Black-backed Gull 6
Caspian Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 3
Mourning Dove 6
YB Cuckoo 3
C. Swift 4
Red-bellied WP 5
Down WP 4
Hairy WP 1
E. Wood Pewee 1
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
E. Kingbird 6
White-eyed V 1 (spotted by BBS canoeists)
Warbling Vireo 6
Red-eyed V 12
Blue Jay 3
Am. Crow 1
Fish Crow 4
Tree Sw 5
Barn Sw 8
C. Chickadee 5
T. Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
C. Wren 9
M. Wren 3
BG Gnatcatcher 6
E. Bluebird 1 (spotted by BBS canoeists)
Gray-cheeked Thrush 2
Bicknell’s Thrush 1
Swainson’s Thrush 2
Am. Robin 10
Gray Catbird 2
No. Mocker 1
Brown Thrasher 2, singing in the tree island near
ramp rd, the other on the
dogleg
E. Starling 10
Cedar Waxwing 6, near the southern end of the
picnic area and the beginning
of Haul Rd
No. Parula 5
Yellow Warbler 5
Blackpoll Warbler 3
Black & White Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 8
Common Yellowthroat 4
Song Sparrow 4
No. Cardinal 24
Red-winged BB 30
Common Grackle 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard O 4
Baltimore O 5
House Finch 5
Am. Goldfinch 7
House Sp 12.
Sightings
At least 45 people joined me for this Sunday
morning's edition of the Dyke
Marsh walk. Today's highlights were a vocalizing
Black-billed Cuckoo (a good
migrant at any location), a singing Yellow-throated
Warbler (a bird that
already should be breeding at Leesylvania, Mason
Neck, or Riverbend- they are
not recorded as breeders at Dyke), a well-observed
American Bittern, and an
even better-viewed Least Bittern, both seen on the
mud flats across from the
end of the boardwalk. We heard a lone Marsh Wren
at the same location. There
are 6 active Osprey nests, a pair of Barn Swallows
nesting on a boat at the
marina, a pair of Tree Swallows in a nestbox
erected by Chip Johnston and Kurt
Gaskill off of Haul Road, an Eastern Kingbird nest
in a Sycamore south of Dead
Beaver Beach, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and
Baltimore Oriole nests on the Haul
Road peninsula (the former providing great views of
an incubating female). We
also witnessed the harshness of nature- a Black
Rat Snake depredating a nest
cavity full of Red-bellied Woodpecker nestlings.
Warbling Vireos were found in
the picnic area and the Haul Road. Last year's
breeding bird survey data
indicates the number of breeding pairs may be
increasing, although we do not
reach the safe date for this species until June 10.
The walk was a great time,
but the large crowd did make for some confusion. I
want to personally thank
Sandy Farkas and Henry Brooks for providing
services as co-leaders. It made my
job much easier. Now the complete list provided
below.
Canada Goose 10
Mallard 9
Double-crested Cormorant 5
American Bittern 1
Least Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 6
Turkey Vulture 1
Osprey 10 (with 6 active nest)
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Ring-billed Gull 10
Herring Gull 2
Great Black-backed Gull 2
Mourning Dove 5
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7 (1 nest cavity
depredated)
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
East Wood-Pewee 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 8 (1 active nest)
White-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 1
Fish Crow 6
Tree Swallow 16
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 12
Marsh Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 9 (1 active nest)
American Robin 15
Gray Catbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 2
Northern Parula 3
Yellow Warbler 5
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 2
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 25
American Redstart 4
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Wilson's Warbler 3
Canada Warbler 1
Scarlet Tanager 2
Eastern Towhee 2
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 17
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 2
Baltimore Oriole 5 (1 active nest- 1
destroyed by crows)
American Goldfinch 8
House Sparrow 5
Larry Cartwright, May 21, 2006.
Sightings
Eight people joined us this morning for the weekly Dyke Marsh walk. We were
ably helped by Rich Rieger, thanks! Highlights would be the Bay breasted
Warblers found early on the trail, 4 Warbling Vireos, 1 Marsh Wren, and
watching 2 Fish Crows attack and pretty much destroy a Baltimore Oriole
nest.
Following is our list:
Double crested Cormorant 16
Great Blue Heron 2
Turkey Vulture 3
Canada Goose 6
Mallard 7
Osprey 8
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Great Black backed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 14
Red bellied Woodpecker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Great crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 1
White eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 4
Red eyed Vireo 6
American Crow 5
Fish Crow 8
Tree Swallow 7
Barn Swallow 10
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 9
Marsh Wren 1
Blue gray Gnatcatcher 3
American Robin 18
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 6
Northern Parula 4
Yellow Warbler 3
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow rumped Warbler 7
Bay breasted Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 3
American Redstart 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Song Sparrow 1
Northern Cardinal 12
Red winged Blackbird 21
Common Grackle 8
Brown headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 6
Baltimore Oriole 7
American Goldfinch 10.
Glenn Koppel and Mary Alice Koeneke, May 14, 2006.
Sightings
This morning several birders spent a delightful morning beating the bushes for
all Dyke Marsh (Fairfax County) had to offer. Top birds included: a very close
fly-by of an AMERICAN BITTERN at the end of the boardwalk as it flew into the
nearby marsh, a vocal and bright male WILSON'S WARBLER of which everyone got
great close-in views, MAGNOLIA WARBLER at the beginning of Haul Rd, WARBLING
VIREOS, and two NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. A small mouselike tan-colored bird that
flew into some marsh grass just off the boardwalk may have been the
previously-reported Sedge Wren, but the look was not sufficient and it was not
calling. The morning's list follows - 70 species.
Canada Goose 18
Wood Duck 1
American Black Duck 1
Mallard 12
Double-crested Cormorant 25
American Bittern 1
Great Blue Heron 10
Turkey Vulture 2
Osprey 4
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Laughing Gull 7
Bonaparte's Gull 2
Ring-billed Gull 225 Confirmed
Great Black-backed Gull 1
Caspian Tern 5
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 6
Chimney Swift 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 3
White-eyed Vireo 2
Warbling Vireo 5
Red-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 6
Purple Martin 4
Tree Swallow 35
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 8
Marsh Wren 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 6
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 12
Gray Catbird 1
European Starling 25
Cedar Waxwing 75
Northern Parula 1
Yellow Warbler 7
Magnolia Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 12
Prairie Warbler 2
American Redstart 1
Prothonotary Warbler 2
Northern Waterthrush 2
Common Yellowthroat 7
Wilson's Warbler 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Song Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 15
Indigo Bunting 5
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Orchard Oriole 4
Baltimore Oriole 7
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 18
House Sparrow 12.
Jay Keller, May 7, 2006.
Sightings
We led the Dyke Marsh field trip this morning. Five other birders joined us
for a good day out. Highlights were 1 Common Loon, 1 House Wren, 1 Gray
Catbird, 1 Rusty Blackbird and 1 immature White crowned Sparrow. We also
had 1 small Canada Goose that may have been a Cackling. The bird was about
1/3 smaller than the Canadas around it, Mary Alice was able to get a look at
the bill and thought it short and stubby. We are leaving it as
un-identified though as it could also be just a small Canada.
An obliging Red shouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle posed well for the
photographers in the group.
The list follows, the first number is for the picnic area including Hunting
Creek and the second is for Dyke Marsh itself.
Common Loon 0,1
Great Blue Heron 6, 3
Canada Goose 487, 6
Mallard 0, 24
Bufflehead 0, 3
Bald Eagle 2A + 2I, 2A + 1I
Red shouldered Hawk 0, 2
Red tailed Hawk 1, 1
Killdeer 0, 1
Laughing Gull 24, 15
Ring billed Gull 1000, 50
Herring Gull 16, 1
Great black backed Gull 11, 1
Mourning Dove 0, 34
Red bellied Woodpecker 0, 5
Downy Woodpecker 1, 6
Northern Flicker 1, 4
Blue Jay 3, 8
American Crow 0, 2
Fish Crow 2, 22
Carolina Chickadee 2, 4
Tufted Titmouse 2, 3
Carolina Wren 2, 9
House Wren 0, 1
Golden crowned Kinglet 2, 6
American Robin 11, 45
Gray Catbird 0, 1
Northern Mockingbird 0, 1
European Starling 108, 145
Cedar Waxwing 0, 5
Yellow rumped Warbler 24, 11
Song Sparrow 3, 5
Swamp Sparrow 0, 6
White throated Sparrow 0, 28
White crowned Sparrow 0, 1
Dark eyed Junco 6, 0
Northern Cardinal 10, 17
Red winged Blackbird 0, 75
Rusty Blackbird 0, 1
House Finch 0, 22
American Goldfinch 10, 4
House Sparrow 0, 1.
Glenn Koppel and Mary Alice Koeneke, Nov 27, 2005.
Sightings
On November 20,2005 a small but enthusiastic group of birders discovered 50 species at Dyke Marsh with highlights including: A Marsh Wren, one Hermit Thrush, and one female Eastern Bluebird as well as two Red Tail Hawks, two Red Shouldered Hawks, Two Bald Eagles, and one female Marsh Hawk. Waterfowl numbers were low but included 5 Ruddy Ducks.
Ed Eder
Sightings
A beautiful clear day made for many nice bird sightings. At the head of the trail, an American redstart was singing and displaying among the tangle of vines and bushes. An orchard oriole was singing high in the top of a locust tree. Blue-gray gnatcatchers were abundant. Yellow warblers were seen near the end of the trail after the bridge crossing as well as a male Baltimore oriole and a yellow-billed cuckoo. Caspian terns were feeding in the water and two loons were floating several hundred yards offshore. Although never spotted, an Acadian flycatcher was singing in the woods and several fluttery blurts of a great crested flycatcher were heard high above. Back in the parking area, in an isolated shade tree, we spotted what appeared to be a warbling vireo, suspected to be such by its song which sounded similar to a house finch. May 1, 2005 - Joe
Sightings
As it was a gray, somewhat drizzly afternoon, there was almost no human activity on the bike/hike trail as I walked through Dyke Marsh. At the southern end of the Preserve, just north of Wellington, I came around a curve to find two red foxes standing in the trail. It appeared to be an adult and its offspring. The youngster went immediately into the dense undergrowth while the adult and I stared at each other for about twenty seconds. I did my staring from about 100 feet away with my binoculars. The fox then slipped away into the brush and left the trail for me to pass by. Sunday, April 24, 2005. 4:00 p.m. Tom.
Sightings
While sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the Parkway this morning (4/21/05) I saw a Bald Eagle flying west out of the Dyke Marsh area carrying some type of prey in its talons. First time I've ever seen a Bald Eagle in the wild. Very exciting.
SightingsSaturday, 11/20/2004 - Jay Keller - Highlights include a flyover of 7 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 RUSTY BLACKBIRD, 2 WINTER WRENS, a late GRAY CATBIRD, and an AMERICAN COOT. 43 species observed.
SightingsBeautiful, clear Sunday afternoon, August 22nd. Perfect paddling weather w/ light breeze. Observed many species including: Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Double-crested Cormorants, Fish Crows, Caspian Tern, Mallards, Canadian Geese, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Swifts, various Warblers and the two highlights of the paddle were a Green Heron, and a shy Least Bittern. Dawn B.
SightingsEarly afternoon, January 22, 2004: The highlight was an Orange-crowned Warbler in the brush near the entrance to Haul Road. Other birds: Great Blue Heron, Mallard, American Black Duck, Common Merganser, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Winter Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Common Grackle, American Goldfinch. John B.
SightingsA nice afternoon for early January with temperatures in the high 40s and a calm mirror-like effect on the Potomac. Plenty of gulls and herons to go with a lone pied-billed grebe just off the picnic area. Along Haul Road a female hairy woodpecker and a noisy gray catbird attracted attention. Species observed: Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, European Starling, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. Friday, January 2, 2004. 4:00 p.m. Tom
SightingsNorthern Flicker Yellow Shafted Male. Have digital video and picture.
16 Dec 2003 Dyke Marsh.
John L McGee
SightingsYellow-bellied Sapsucker 22 Dec 2003 have digital video and picture at Dyke Marsh.
John L McGee
Sightings9/19/03 - Walked out Haul Road as far as I could get in Wellingtons. Many big trees down across road. Much of road at least a foot deep. Saw one of the lookout points from our new boardwalk had washed up near Haul Road. Marina inaccessible and may be wrecked. Cleanup will be incredible.
Caroline Heald
SightingsAlison Kruk
August 17, 2003
Short-billed Dowitcher
Caspian Tern
Double-Crested Cormorant
Orchard Oriole
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Fish Crow
Laughing Gull
Osprey
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Yellow-crowned night heron
SightingsA beautiful day for birding after a month of rain. Lots of bird activity for a late afternoon starting with eight mallards swimming in newly formed ponds in the picnic area and ending with a lone spotted sandpiper just offshore at the end of the boardwalk. In between, a northern flicker calling loudly and incessantly for half an hour. Species observed: Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Osprey, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Marsh Wren, American Robin, European Starling, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Orchard Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow. Friday, May 30, 2003. 4:30 p.m. Tom
SightingsLocated a yellow warbler nest along the trail. It's about 40-45 feet before the first bridge. If you are facing the bridge, it's on your right-hand side and about 6-7 feet high on a smaller branch above the shrubbery. The female had not yet laid her eggs (although we haven't been back since) but the pair was quite busy preparing.
May 26, 2003; Molly
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