August 2020
The SISKIN
Newsletter of the Northern Virginia Bird Club
Vol. 65, No. 3 August 2020 www.nvabc.org
NVBC GENERAL MEETING—THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 8 PM
Inside
Calendar of NVBC field trips Birding Four Corners of the Lower 48
September 2 – November 4, 2020 Speaker: Larry Meade
Val Kitchens Education Grants for
2020 The United States contains a rich variety of biomes and habitats. For a
Spring Birding during the 2020 traveler interested in nature, this means that one can find in many
Pandemic regions of the country a different mix of plants, birds, insects and
Birding in Hawaii animals. Larry Meade has traveled to each corner of the contiguous
United States in search of birds and other fascinating experiences. He
To see the newsletter photographs in will share photos and stories from his trips to Maine, South Florida (two
color, go to www.nvabc.org and click trips), Washington state, and San Diego County, California.
on the Siskin icon
Larry Meade is the president of
the Northern Virginia Bird Club
and a former board member of the
Virginia Society of Ornithology.
He serves as sector leader for
several Christmas Bird Counts and
is an avid nature photographer. He
often leads nature walks for the
Club and other groups in our area
and teaches workshops for the
Audubon Society of Northern
Virginia.
Photographs by Larry Meade:
Burrowing Owl at the Salton Sea,
California (right),; Heerman’s Gulls at
Port Angeles, Washington (top left);
Atlantic Puffin at BarHarbor, Maine,
Magnificent Frigatebird, Dry Tortugas,
The September virtual meeting will be held using Zoom.which many
of our members have used these last few months. If you are not familiar
with Zoom you can visit this link for a brief introduction on doing a
Zoom meeting: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-
How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting.
Each Zoom meeting has a unique number. The direct link to the
meeting will be: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8533842096?pwd=
dUpXY20xbmYyYjQxMUprVjdVQWjkUT09. If you start from the
Zoom application, you can use the Meeting ID:8538420296, Password:
This information will be sent to the Club exchange email list
(see Siskin back page on how to join) and will be in this Siskin that is
posted on our website. If you join the Zoom meeting early, you can chat
with others. During the speaker’s presentation, please mute your device
and turn off your video to reduce the noise and help the communication
speed. There will be time afterwards to speak again and ask questions.
Presidential Peentings
The Covid 19 pandemic and the resulting quarantine fledged birders after things get more normal. Many of us
have turned almost everyone’s life upside down. We have who were already birders have been getting out and doing
had to make adjustments to our lives both minor and “lone wolf” birding or have been birding in a small
major. Some of us are working from group. I have been exploring some
home and we are taking precautions new places in an effort to avoid
when we leave out homes. As birders, crowds. Taking it slow and watching
we have also had to adjust. All birds going about their business can
Northern Virginia Bird Club walks and be very rewarding. In this issue of
trips have been canceled since the The Siskin, some NVBC members
middle of March. We are planning to have shared some stories and photos
resume local walks in September, but related to their birding experiences
that is obviously subject to change. I in the pandemic. I think that we are
have noticed that birding has been in lucky to have this hobby that gives
the news lately. I think some people us a reason to get out of the house
had not been outside as often pre- and that also keeps our minds
pandemic and are just now noticing engaged as we explore nature.
how beautiful and interesting birds can
be. Maybe some of them will maintain Baby Orchard Oriole at Neabsco Boardwalk
photographed by Larry Meade —Larry Meade
their interest in birds and become full-
Val Kitchens Education Grants for Virginia Bird Club is already a de facto partner in this
2020 project. Our donation last year was an important step in
helping them meet the required $3 to $1 match to receive
USFW funds.
Thanks to donations from our members, the Bird Club The Niños y Aves (Children and Birds) program
has provided two grants through the Val Kitchens promotes environmental awareness for children in
Education Grant for 2020. As in the past two years NVBC Turrialba, Costa Rica. Many local residents in Turrialba
has awarded $500 to Community Cloud Forest hunt birds and capture them for the cage trade. These
Conservation (CCFC) in Guatemala and this year $150 to activities have been practiced for generations and have had
Mercedes Alpizar and her Niños y Aves (Children and a negative impact on bird populations. Niños y Aves
Birds) program in Costa Rica. Both programs help support focuses on helping children at the primary school level to
conservation efforts through providing environmental learn why conserving birds is more important for the
education for students. environment and the economy of Costa Rica than hunting
Our grant to CCFC continues to support their “Kids and caging them. By reaching students at an early age,
and Birds” program. Currently, CCFC has a grant from the Mercedes Alpízar Hernández, the program’s director,
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), under the hopes that the children will develop a new attitude about
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) the importance of birds and will influence the practices of
to plant agro-forest parcels in villages that border the cloud people involved in destructive activities. The donation
forest within Important Bird Areas (IBAs). The heirloom from the Northern Virginia Bird Club, which was matched
crops and fruit trees in these parcels provide vital nutrition by NVBC member, Bill Young, is being used to purchase
for Q’eqchi’ Maya families in remote villages, while also binoculars, field guides, transportation, food, and printed
providing habitat for birds, especially migratory birds. The materials for the children of Turrialba.
agro-forest parcels are the core of the current project with
US Fish and Wildlife. Through its donations, the Northern —David Farner
Green Heron at Huntley Meadows Park photographed by Neal Gause Eastern Bluebird at Clark’s Crossing Park photographed by Larry Meade
!2 Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
Spring Birding during the 2020 Pandemic
Many Club birders reported wonderful only 11 warblers. But it turned out to
experiences simply “backyard” birding be a banner day for me. After a slow
and others ventured further afield morning of birding, we were heading
The Magic Tree back to the cars when I thought I saw
a female scar let tanager. We
Working from our Falls Church continued a little way further then I
home has given my husband and spotted a brilliant male scarlet
birding companion, Dan, an exciting tanager, closer to us, out in the open,
spring treat. From out of his home among the white flowers of a locust
office window he can view the tree. It was feeding there and we got a
boughs of a mature oak that hangs great, unobstructed view. Then close
over the next-door neighbor’s roof. by it, another equally brilliant male
He quickly learned that keeping his scarlet tanager started feeding. We
binoculars and camera handy was a had 2 spectacular males visible in one
must. Within a few days during the binocular view. The females appeared
beginning of May that tree, which we nearby so there was no squabbling
call The Magic Tree, attracted a nice between the males. The 2 couples
variety of migratory warblers that stayed, feeding around the white
may have gone unnoticed had Dan flowers for easy contrast for a long
not been working from home. I would time. Several times we could see the
be working in the basement in my 2 males in the same view! I don’t
studio when I would hear an excited ever recall such magnificent views of
shout. I rushed upstairs to find Dan scarlet tanagers, which I have seen
excitedly observing the Magic Tree annually for about 25 years. It was
from his home office window. thrilling to see. Finally the foursome
Grabbing my binoculars, I joined him flew off and we continued to our cars
in observing the feathery show of
migratory birds gleaning insects from —Maria Kelly
the oak boughs festooned with “oak
worms.” We saw during that Out There
wonderful early May: Red-eyed
Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, female I heard Chincoteague hotels were
Scarlet Tanager, Cape May Warbler, opening on May 15, the day we were
Chestnut-s ided Warbler, Palm supposed to be on the Island. I
Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and immediately called the Best Western,
even a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Above photographs: and decided that having the hotel
—Dan and Beth Fedorko Northern Parula and Scarlet Tanager rooms empty for the last two months
photographed by Seth Honig at home in was probably the safest time to go, so
Fairfax, Virginia (in part attracted to his
artificial stream) I did. \ What a rush. \Led Zeppelin
was on the radio for all of May on
Prairie Warbler photographed by Tom XM, so I just hit the road and didn’t
Thaller at Merrimac Farm WMA change the station.
Below Wilson’s Warbler photographed by Gerry Shannon decided to get
Evan Pannkuk at Occoquan Bay NWR “Out There” also, and while birding
at Tom’s Cove on the first day, Toby
Hardwick and Bob Butterworth
pulled up behind my car. We had blue
sk ies , n ice breeze and b i rds
everywhere.
I had 18 checklists, 91 species,
Bay-breasted Warbler photographed by one life bird, valiant searches for two
Dan Fedorko rare birds and the Chuck-will’s-
Birding at Algonkian Park widow flew slowly by right in front
of me, before darkness, so no
Many local good birding areas mosquito bites.
were closed, but my friend, Candi No longer felt “dazed and
Crichton and I birded often at confused,” getting “out there” on the
Algonkian Park which was closed to Eastern Shore solved the problem.
vehicles, but walk-ins were allowed. —Joan Mashburn
As of Monday, May 18, I had seen
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 3
Upcoming Trips and Events
Compiled by Elton Morel
Note:
Beginning birders are welcome on all trips.
When reservations are required, please call one of the trip leaders. Phone numbers are on below.
If in doubt about a trip because of weather, please call one of the leaders.
Check the NVBC website for updated information about trips: http://www.nvabc.org/updated-field-trips/.
To receive email notices, join the NVBC eMail Exchange. For sign-up directions see back page of The Siskin.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
September 2 5
8:30 AM 8 AM
Long Branch Shenandoah River Campus
David Ledwith at Cool Springs BattlefieldElton Morel Phil Silas 6 9 12 7:15 PM 8:30 AM 7:30 AM
Swift/Nighthawk Dyke Marsh Conway Robinson
Watch David Ledwith State Forest
Joanna Taylor Toby Hardwick
Call leader for meeting Larry Meade
place and directions
16 17 19
8:30 AM NVBC 7:30 AM
Algonkian RP Meeting Leesylvania SP
Elton Morel hil Silas
Dave Boltz 8 PM P
Ken Hunt
23 26
8:30 AM 7:30 AM
Trip Leaders Fort C F Smith Occoquan Bay
Jeremy Beck NWR
Jeremy Beck 703-517-1816 Ken Hunt
Dave Boltz 703-599-8305 Larry Meade
Larry Cartwright 703-941-3142
Toby Hardwick 703-201-1517 30 October 3
Ken Hunt 319-354-1079 8:30 AM 8 AM
David Ledwith 703-933-9477 Cub Run Aquia Landing
Larry Meade 571-275-2523 Stream Valley Beach Park
Elton Morel 703-907-9951 Park Elton Morel
Tom Nardone 703-946-7738 Elton Morel David Ledwith
Phil Silas 703-987-0817
Joanna Taylor 703-243-5989 7 10
8:30 AM 8 AM
Long Branch Leopold’s Preserve
Tom Nardone Elton Morel
Toby Hardwick
14 17
8:30 AM 8 AM
Potomac Bristoe Station
Overlook RP Battlefield Park
David Ledwith Toby Hardwick
Larry Meade
21 24
8:30 AM 8:15 AM
Meadowood Sky Meadows SP
Recreation Area Elton Morel
Larry Cartwright David Ledwith
4 Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
October 27 31
8:30 AM 8 AM
Laurel Hill Silver Lake RP
Equestrian Toby Hardwick
Center Larry Meade
Phil Silas
November 4
8:30 AM
Long Branch
Tom Nardone
DIRECTIONS Conway Robinson State Forest At successive traffic lights, turn left
NVBC Meeting (9/17) Online (9/12) 12816 Lee Hwy, Gainesville onto Spout Run Pkwy, then left onto
meeting using Zoom platform. 20155 From I-495, take I-66 west Lorcom Ln, then right onto Fillmore
—— 27.6 mi. to exit 43B, US-29 North in St. Go one block on Fillmore, turn
Algonkian Regional Park (9/16) Gainesville. Continue on US-29 for .4 right onto N. 24th St (watch for speed
47001 Fairway Dr, Sterling 20165 mi, turn left into access road to humps), and continue to park on left.
From I-495, take Rt 7 west 11 miles parking area. There is a small parking Meet in parking lot at east end of
(mi.) to Cascades Pkwy north and area adjacent Route 29-S which can park.
drive 3 mi. to the park entrance. accommodate approximately 10 cars. Laurel Hill Equestrian Center
Proceed on Fairway Dr turning left Additional parking is permitted along (10/27) Lorton From I-495, take I-95
onto Volcano Island Dr, then turn the entrance/exit road unless it south about 13 mi. to exit 163
right into parking lot. Meet at the restricts through traffic. (Lorton Rd). Continue 1.4 mi. west
parking lot beside restrooms and Park Cub Run Stream Valley Park (9/30) on Rt 642/Lorton Rd, then turn left
Shelter 1. From the junction of I-66 and I-495, on Rt 611/Furnace Rd then an
Aquia Landing Beach Park (10/3) follow I-66 W to US 29 S in immediate right onto Dairy Rd.
2846 Brooke Rd, Stafford 22554 Centreville. Take exit 52 from I-66 Proceed to and meet in the parking
From southbound I-95 towards W. Turn right onto US 29 S, go 1.5 lot.
Stafford, take exit 140 to Stafford, mi. and turn right onto Pleasant Leesylvania State Park (9/19) 2001
then left (east) on Courthouse Rd (Rt Valley Rd (State Rt 609), go 0.9 mi. Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge
630), go 3.5 mi. and turn right on and turn right onto Blueridge View 22191 From I-495, take I-95 south
Andrew Chapel Rd (Rt 629), go 0.9 Dr, go 0.3 mi. and turn right onto about 14 mi. to exit 156 (Dale City/
mi. and under the railroad bridge to a Hidden Canyon Rd, go 0.3 mi. and Rippon Landing/Rt 784). Following
slight left onto Brooke Rd (Rt 608) turn left onto Stillfield Pl, go 0.3 mi the posted highway signs for
go 4.4 mi. to the park entrance, to 15077 Stillfield Pl on the left. Park Leesylvania State Park, exit east on
continue past park entrance gate to in the neighborhood side streets Rt 784. Proceed eastward 1.1 mi. to
the parking lot at the end of the road. nearest the front of 15077 Stillfield Rt 1. Turn right (south) on Rt 1 and
Meet in the parking lot. Pl. Meet at the entrance to the park to g o 0 . 9 m i . t o N e a b s c o R d .
the left of the house at 15077. Avoid Immediately past the Wawa service
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage any parking that blocks driveways. tation, turn left (east) on Neabsco Rd
Park (10/17) 10708 Bristow Rd, There are several spots along the trail and proceed 2 mi. to park entrance on
Bristow, VA 20136. From I-95: Take that could be under water. If there right. After passing through the park
Rt 234 north (exit 152B), travel 7.5 have been recent rains, recommend entrance gate, go 2.2 mi. to end of
mi. and make a left onto Independent wearing mud boots or waterproof paved road and park in “Picnic Area”
Hill Dr. Then make immediate right shoes. parking lot, immediately before turn-
onto Rt 619 (Bristow Rd). Travel 7 Dyke Marsh (9/9) 6401 George around circle at fishing pier. State fee
mi. and turn left onto Iron Brigade Wash ing ton Memor i a l Pkwy, area.
Unit Ave. The parking lot is located Alexandria 22307 (Belle Haven Park
on the left at the traffic circle. From Leopold’s Preserve (10/10) 16283
and Marina) From Alexandria, take
I-66: Take Rt 234 south (Exit 44). Thoroughfare Rd, Haymarket 20169
George Washington Pkwy south.
Travel 4.5 miles and turn right onto From I-66 west, take exit 40 to Rt 15
Cross.I-495; continue 1.2 mi. to Belle
Rt 28 (Nokesville Rd). Travel 1.5 mi. toward Haymarket/Leesburg. Turn
Haven Park entrance on the left. Meet
and turn left onto Rt 619 (Bristow left onto Rt 15 south. Turn right onto
at south parking lot.
Rd). Travel 0.25 mi., turn right onto Rt 55 and go 1.7 mi. to Thoroughfare
Iron Brigade Unit Ave and continue Fort C F Smith (9/23) 2411 24th St Rd. Turn left onto Thoroughfare and
to parking lot. Meet in parking lot. N, Arlington 22207 From I-66 east, go 0.3 mi. There are parking lots on
take exit 72 (Spout Run Pkwy). At both sides of the road. Meet in the
traffic light, turn right on Lee Hwy. right hand (west) parking lot. The left
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 5
Yellow-crowned Night-herons on
nest and young observed at
various stages and photographed
by Seth Honig in Falls Church
Trip Directions from page 5 and turn left onto Rt 29 south, and go exit for Rt 17 north (Delaplane/Paris).
0.6 mi. taking a slight right onto North on Rt 17 6.5 mi. to Rt 710.
hand (east) Parking lot can be used Military Rd, continue 0.5 mi. turning Turn left into park and proceed 1 mi.
for overflow parking. left to stay on Military Rd. Turn right to Visitor Center parking lot. State fee
Long Branch Nature Area (9/2, after 0.3 mi. onto N. Marcey Rd and area.
10/7, 11/4) 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, proceed 0.4 mi. to parking lot.
Arlington 22204 Take Rt 50, east Shenandoah River Campus at Cool
from Fairfax or west from Rosslyn to Springs Battlefield (9/5) From I-495,
Carlin Springs exit. Go south on take VA-267 West (Dulles Toll Road) Bird Walks at Local Parks
Carlin Springs 0.5 mi. to Nature to Leesburg for 36.8 mi. Take exit 1A • Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve,
Center on left, just south of N. Va and merge onto US-15 South/VA-7
Community Hospital on left. Meet at West/Leesburg Bypass for 3.3 mi. second Saturdays, 8 am. Meet at
Nature Center parking lot. Continue straight to stay on VA7 the parking lot. Visit the Loudoun
Meadowood Recreation Area West for 17.1 mi. After passing Wildlife web site,
(10/21) 10406 Gunston Rd, Lorton, Snicker’s Gap but just before the www.loudounwildlife.org/events/
Blue Ridge Center for
VA 22079 From I-495, take I-95 Shenandoah River Bridge, turn right
south 7 mi. to Lorton exit. Left on Rt at Parker Lane (F709) then go 1.4 mi. Environmental Stewardship,
fourth Saturday, 8 am Meet at
Immediately after passing under to the parking lot. To avoid the toll,
railroad tracks (0.25 mi.) turn right on from I-495 take VA-7 West (Leesburg Education Center. www.loudoun
wildlife.org/events/
Lorton Market Rd, which soon Pike) to Leesburg for 47.2 mi. After
becomes Gunston Cove Rd. After passing Snicker’s Gap but just before • Dyke Marsh, Sundays, 8 am See
directions. Visit the Friends of
crossing Rt 1, road becomes Gunston the Shenandoah River Bridge, turn
Rd. Go 1.8 miles to Meadowood on right at Parker Lane, then go 1.4 mi. Dyke Marsh web site,
right. (BLM, Lower Potomac Station to the parking lot. www.fodm.org
Eakin Park, Mondays, 7:30 am
Office). Park on right next to horse Silver Lake Park (10/31) 16198 Meet at Prosperity Ave parking
barns just before field station Silver Lake Rd, Haymarket 20169 lot. Leader: Carolyn Williams
building. From I-495, take I-66 west 24 miles • Great Falls National Park,
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife to exit 40 (Rt 15). Turn south onto Rt Sundays, 8 am Meet in front of
Refuge (9/26) 13950 Dawson Beach 15 (toward Haymarket) and go 0.3 snack/concession stand at the
Rd, Woodbridge 22192 From I-495, mi. to Rt 55. Turn right onto Rt 55 Park Visitor Center.
take I-95 south 9 mi. to (left) exit 161 and go 0.9 miles to Antioch Rd. Turn • Huntley Meadows Park,
(Woodbridge). Go south on Rt 1 right onto Antioch and go 1.3 mi. to Mondays, 7 am (Apr-Oct)
about 2 mi. to left turn onto Dawson Silver Lake Rd. Turn right and 8 am (Nov-Mar) Meet in parking
Beach Rd. Continue on Dawson proceed to park entrance and continue lot. Leader: Harry Glasgow
Beach 0.7 mi. to entrance gate. Meet to parking lot next to the lake. Meet • Merrimac Farm, last Sunday, 8
in parking lot. US fee area. in parking lot. am Meet at Merrimac Farm Stone
Potomac Overlook Regional Park Sky Meadows State Park (10/24) House. www.pwconserve
(10/14) 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, 11012 Edmonds Ln, Delaplane 20144 .org/eventsindex.html#birds
VA 22207 From I-66 east take exit 72 From I-495, take I-66 west 42 mi. to
6 Northern Virginia Bird Club . www.nvabc.org
Birding in Hawaii
orange-red Hawai’i ‘Akepa they were diligent about helping
and the iconic long-billed everyone get good looks at the birds.
I’iwi along the “best mile of And they were fonts of knowledge
Hawaiian birding” followed not only about birds and birding, but
by the Palila, a dry-forest also about local conservation issues
specialist. and general Hawai’i natural history.
The Hawaiian In all, it was a trip to remember. And
honeycreepers are a great we considered ourselves very
example of adaptive fortunate to have made the trip and to
Last year when we were radiation. Current thinking is that a get home in the first week of March
considering possible 2020 desti- species of cardueline finch populated before travel began to be difficult.
nations, we independently came up the islands, evolving into over 50
with the idea of a winter trip to species adapted to various niches,
Hawai’i. It seems pretty obvious, —Catherine Kubo
with various bill shapes to match.
right?—a tempting array of endemics Jean Tatalias
For example, the ‘Akiapola’au uses
and exotics that you can’t see
its stiff lower beak to drill into trees
anywhere else in the United States, in search of grubs and larvae, which it
plus a two-week respite from winter. then noodles out with its long,
Hence the end of February found us flexible upper beak. We got to watch
in Honolulu. We spent a pleasant day this bird forage—fantastic!
in the capital touring the sights and We saw nesting Laysan Albatross
ticking off various species that and water birds such as Hawaiian
frequent the downtown parks, Coot and the Hawaiian Goose or
including introduced birds such as the Nene. We managed to get all three
Red-crested Cardinal and the species of Francolin, often spotted
Warbling White-eye, and natives like dashing along the upland roadsides.
the gorgeous White Tern, which is the There were colorful introduced birds
city of Honolulu’s official bird. The like the Red Junglefowl, the Kalij
next day we met up with our two Pheasant, and the Yellow-billed
guides from Wings and eight other Cardinal. We saw wintering Bristle-
participants for the start of a ten-day thighed Curlew (easier to find than
tour covering three islands and a when breeding in Alaska!).
variety of habitats, from urban parks Birding in Hawai’i is a sobering
to sea watches to native forests, wet as well as a wonderful experience.
and dry. Fewer than half of their
In all, we saw 97 species of birds, honeycreepers are extant today.
14 of them endemic to the islands. Probably the top threats are habitat
We watched Red-tailed Tropicbirds loss, avian malaria, and predation by
sail in the stiff winds around Kiluea non-native mammals. Various efforts Matt Van Wallene photographed the
Point Light House on Kaua’i. We ‘Apapane (top) and the ‘Akiapola’au (above)
to combat the losses are underway,
hiked muddy forest trails in the rain Gray Francolin (below left),Catherine and
including habitat protection and other birders (middle), and Layson Albatross
forest, also on Kaua’i, where we had restoration and captive breeding chick (below right)
beautiful, bright red ‘Apapanes and programs. But progress is slow, and
several other endemic honeycreepers. populations continue to decline.
Big Island birding brought more Our Wings tour guides did an
endemics, including the beautiful excellent job with the itinerary, and
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 7
NORTHERN VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB Nonprofit Org.
P.O. BOX 5812 U.S. Postage
ARLINGTON, VA 22205-0812 PAID
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Arlington, VA
Permit No. 490
DATED
MATERIAL
JOIN THE NORTHERN NVBC eMail Exchange 2 0 2 1 . P l e a s e s e n d i t e m s f o r
VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB By participating in the club’s email publication by October 1, 2020 to the
Northern Virginia Bird Club dues for exchange, you can get email notices of editors at siskineditor@verizon.net.
2020 are $10 for Individual and $15 late updates to The Siskin and the field
for Family Membership. Members trip schedule. To join the exchange, CLUB CONTACTS
receive our quarterly newsletter, The send an email to lgmeade@gmail.com. President: Larry Meade, 571-275.2523
Siskin. Checks for dues should be sent Put “EXCHANGE” in the subject Vice President, Programs: David
to Northern Virginia Bird Club, Attn: field and your full name in the Farner, 443-643-6141
Membersh ip , P.O . Box 5812 , message area. You will receive a Vice President, Field Activities: Elton
Arlington, VA 22205-0812. Or join or r e s p o n s e f r o m n v b c – Morel, 703-907-9951
renew online at the club’s website at exchange@googlegroups.com. The Secretary: Diane Marton,
http://www.nvabc.org/join/. list is for NVBC members’ use only. 703-527-7360
If you miss an issue of The Siskin or General Meeting Dates: September Treasurer: Jean Tatalias, 703-281-6099
need to report an address or ZIP Code 17, 2020 and November (tbd) 2020, Directors: Jeremy Beck,
change, please send an email message February (tbd) and April (tbd) 2021. 703-517-1816, Phil Silas,
to lgmeade@gmail.com or leave a 703-987-0817, Joanna Taylor,
message for Elizabeth Fenton at Next Board Meeting: Thursday, 703-243-5989
703-533-0851. September 3, 2020, 7:30 pm, at Diane Directors Emeritus: Len Alfredson,
Please no te : NVBC does no t Marton’s home or Zoom meeting. All Charlotte Friend, Don Wiesnet
exchange, give away, or sell its club members are welcome at board Membership: Elizabeth Fenton,
membership lists. meetings. For directions or to have 703-533-0851
NVBC ON THE WEB items put on the agenda, please call or Webmaster, www.nvabc.org: Jeremy
Current information and special e m a i l D i a n e M a r t o n a t Beck, jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com
notices about NVBC meetings, field dsdm42@gmail.com. Editors, The Siskin: Pat and Neal
trips, and other activities, along with a Thanks to the mailing crew: Many Gause, siskineditor@verizon.net,
printable membership form, are posted thanks to the April mail out crew: 703-476-3903
on the club’s website, www.nvabc.org. Elizabeth Fenton, Joanna Taylor Administrator, NVBC Facebook
If you have information or pictures Group: Allie Guidry (please contact
Deadline for next issue of The
you would like to see on the website, through Facebook page)
Siskin: The November issue will
please email the webmaster, Jeremy NVBC email: lgmeade@gmail.com
include activities through January
Beck at jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com.
Birding during the 2020 Pandemic (continued)
From our backyard to the Shenandoah State Park Local Spring Migration
Every May since 2008 (except
The baby Cardinal (right) is one once when a mean boss made me
of six species that have raised young work), I have gone to northwest Ohio
right in front of us at our home this for spring migration — even before
spring. We’ve been lucky to watch a the Biggest Week festival started. But
Robin raise two broods in the same the Ohio hotspots were closed this
nest over a gutter downspout; a year, and I experienced migration
Mourning Dove doing a double brood locally. When I was in Ohio in years
in her same nest on a tree branch; our past, I always wondered what I was
annual show of Bluebirds and House missing here, and this year I found
Wrens in the nest boxes; and a noisy out. I think I learned a lot about the
nest of Red-Tailed Hawks high above patterns of migration in our area,
our next-door neighbor’s house. We including the arrival of our breeding
have never had this many species birds. The high point for me was a
raising young this close to our house complete surprise, however. On
before. We’ve been more active Friday, May 22, I decided that the
around our house during this forecast didn’t look good for
pandemic spring than usual, so it’s not migration overnight and that I’d take
because of reduced human presence. a break from dawn birding. Around 7
It seems incredibly fortuitous. am the next day I opened my back
The stretching Turkey was an door for ventilation, and I realized I
incredibly cooperative bird we met at was hear ing a Rose-breas ted
Claude Moore Park in Loudoun Grosbeak. I got my binoculars, and
County. You know how Wild Turkeys the tree in my neighbor’s yard had the
usually disappear into the grass, most amazing spectacle! The tree was
bushes, or woods, when they detect a turned and feathers open. This FULL of migrants. There must have
person even one to two hundred yards behavior was discussed recently on been at least 25 warblers, as well as
away, right? This bird was next to the the VA-Bird listserv. The consensus an Eastern Peewee and a Red-eyed
parking lot and actually walked supported by an article at Audubon’s Vireo. Most of the warblers were
towards us for a few yards, before web site and by a biologist here in Blackpolls and Bay-breasted, but
ambling off to the side to stretch. Virginia is that birds do this to there were also some Black-throated
Maybe the birds are practicing social mitigate parasites in their feathers; Greens , Amer i can Reds t a r t s ,
closeness for the pandemic. and possibly to warm up. Magnolias, and Northern Parulas, as
When the State Parks opened up,
we quickly made a reservation to —Steve Johnson well as at least one stunning
camp at Shenandoah River State Photographs by Lynn Rafferty Blackburnian. I watched for about 45
minutes until the spectacle tapered off
Park, which is a lovely park for and my need for coffee took
birding. We watched a pair of Brown precedence. I’m still planning to go to
Thrashers sunning with their heads Ohio next May, but staying home
certainly has its rewards!
—Marta Wagner
Rose-breasted Grosbeak photographed by
Beth Fedorko
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 Addendum website only 1
Photographs
Left column: photos by Tom Thaller – Red-
eyed Vireo in neighborhood; Prothonotary
Warbler and Blackpool Warbler at
Occoquan Bay NWR
Middle column: Photo by Evan Pannkuk –
White-rumped Sandpiper at Colvin Ln Pond,
Prince William County; Photos by Seth
Honig – King Rail at Occoquan Bay NWR
and Killdeer chick busily finding food at
Mooreview Parkway Impoundments,
Loudoun
Right column: Seth Honig photographed at
home: Blue-winged Warbler, Summer
Tanager, Ovenbird.
Bluebirds mating photographed on the Accotink Creek Trail in Fairfax City by
Seth Honig
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 Addendum 1
Prothonotary Warbler feeding young (left) and
taking flight (above) at Occoquan NWR
photographed by Seth Honig
Northern Mockingbird feeding its young.(photos on the right) Photographed
on the Fairfax City portion of the Accotink Creek Trail by Seth Honig.
Great Blue Heron and Red-headed Woodpecker
photographed at Huntley Meadows Park by Neal Gause
The Siskin . Vol. 65, No. 3 . August 2020 Addendum 1