August 2024 – Northern Virginia Bird Club

Vol. 69, No. 3 August 2024 www.nvabc.org
General Meeting Notes: Early bird refreshments start at 7:30 p.m. Any contributions of food or beverage will be most gratefully received. There will be a drawing for door prizes. Northern Virginia Bird Club pins will be available for members who would like to buy them ($5 each).
MEETING PLACE: St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, 22207. Directions are on page 5
NVBC GENERAL MEETING-THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 8 PM
Flight of the Godwit
Speaker: Bruce Beehler
ruce Beehler, Ph. D., is a renowned ornithologist, conservationist, author, and lecturer, currently with the Smithsonian Institution. He once
took a 60 Minutes Team to the “edge of the world” in the Foja Mountains of Papau Province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. Here he discovered an unknown bird species, and brought back the first-ever photograph of another that had been thought to be extinct.
His presentation will center on the Hudsonian Godwit and his upcoming book about this remarkable bird and other species of shorebirds and their amazing migrations. The Hudsonian Godwit winters as far south as Tierra del Fuego. It arrives in Texas in early April before flying to Hudson Bay and the shores of the Arctic Ocean. In the autumn, flocks stage in numbers on the western shore of James Bay and then move to the coast of the Canadian Maritime Provinces and New England. From there they set out over the open Atlantic on a three-day-long nonstop flight to South America. Dr. Beehler’s solo field program over three field seasons has logged over 35,000 miles by car, train, and bush plane, camping out more than 130 days at many of the most important shorebird staging, stop- over, and breeding sites. During these forays he visited with the scientists studying the birds in the f i e l d a n d w i t h t h e
Hudsonian Godwit photographed by Bruce Beehler
conservation practitioners working to improve their future.
Dr. Beehler has written a dozen books, and besides the scheduled April 2025 release of Flight of the Godwit – In Search of North America’s Shorebirds (Smithsonian Books), his most recent book is Birds of North America – A Photographic Atlas (Johns Hopkins University Press). This book is currently available from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and others. Those choosing to bring their copy to the meeting will have the opportunity to have it signed by the author. It really is a big, beautiful desk reference book (not a field guide), and if you’d like an independent description, just search for: Birding Wire review of Birds of North America. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the meeting.
Presidential Peentings
or lifetime learners, an interest in the natural world opens up a tremendous opportunity to discover aspects
of the world around us and to have engaging experiences as we interact with nature. The traditional ways of learning such as reading books and articles, watching documentaries and attending talks by experts all enrich our lives and help us understand the
world. Fortunately, since nature is all around us, we can also take a more active role in our learning by simply going outside and experiencing it. Apps like iNaturalist and Merlin have opened up the world to many people who want to learn about nature. Going out with others can provide even more opportunities to find out about what is around us. When I am on a nature walk, I always learn something. It might be some interesting information shared by a group of curious people together who like to learn, the experience can be especially rewarding.
When I am out in nature, I am often inspired to learn more about what I discover. Recently, I found and photographed a Harvester butterfly at Dyke Marsh. I had seen one once before very briefly, but this was the first
time I had the opportunity to see one well and photograph it. I knew that they were carnivorous, but I never had looked into their life cycle. It turns out that the caterpillars eat wooly aphids and the adults drink the honeydew from the aphids in addition to drinking from mineral sources such as sap and mud. They do not visit flowers like other butterflies do. I was delighted to learn this about the only carnivorous butterfly in North America. There is so much more to learn about the natural world, and I
another person on the walk or it Harvester Butterfly photographed.by Larry Meade
might be something that I notice that is new to me. Maybe someone will identify a plant and tell us about it, or maybe a bird will make an unusual vocalization that I have never heard before. When you get
Cape May Fall Weekend from p. 1
required. Registration will open up on Monday, August 26 at 12 noon. If you would like to participate, please email drgerco@hotmail.com no sooner than that date and time. We have not booked a motel for this trip, so participants are responsible for selecting and booking their own lodgings. You will get an itinerary describing times and locations where we will meet Friday afternoon and Saturday and Sunday mornings.
-Gerco Hoogeweg & Larry Meade
Trip leaders
am looking forward to taking in as much as I can for as long as I can.
-Larry Meade
Black-necked Stilts at the Causeway to Chincoteague photographed by Seth Honig on May 17, 2019
Spring Weekend Trip: Chincoteague, May 17 – 19, 2024
On the Northern Virginia Bird Club’s spring trip to Chincoteague held May 17 to 19, we collectively found 98 bird species despite rain on Saturday.
Our Chincoteague visits always start with a foray onto the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge’s Wildlife Loop on Friday afternoon. At our first stop, we found three Cattle Egrets and discussed the recent taxonomic split of this species into Eastern and Western, wherein the Western Cattle Egret is the species from Africa that immigrated to the New World. As we discussed Cattle Egret taxonomy, we were pleasantly distracted by a beautiful male Blue Grosbeak. In the muddy margins of the marsh, we viewed and discussed the difference between Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers and glimpsed a Bank Swallow darting about amongst a flock of Barn Swallows. At our second stop, we viewed a nice sampling of shorebirds including Dunlins, Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated sandpipers and plovers.
On Friday evening, we looked for the Chuck-will’s-
widow at sunset. We heard several “Chucks” singing but try as we might, only a few participants saw one fly overhead just as we were losing the light.
Saturday morning began with a walk along the boardwalk near the hotel in a light rain shower. We had excellent views of Clapper Rails just below the boardwalk and an obliging Semipalmated Plover who did not mind the rain drops falling off its back.
During the subsequent visit to the refuge’s south beach parking lot, we spotted a Piping Plover, a small flock of Whimbrels and the only Marbled Godwit of the trip. Our efforts ended abruptly with a downpour, so we returned to the Visitor’s Center for a break. The downpour was short- lived, so we continued outside, finding Brown-headed Nuthatches and a singing Pine Warbler. We returned to the south beach parking lot and headed for the spit inside Tom’s Cove where we had previously spotted a large tern flock. In the assemblage of Common, Forster’s and a few Royal Terns, we spotted a breeding plumage Black Tern. On our return walk up the beach, we saw an American Oystercatcher on a nest.
In the afternoon, we visited the Common Tern colony at the Queens Sound Landing boat launch. A Spotted Sandpiper and a late-departing female Surf Scoter were also in the area.
Despite earlier concerns about the weather, our boat trip on Sunday morning with Daisey’s Island Cruises on the Chincoteague Inlet had pleasant weather. We found more Red Knots than I have ever seen at Chincoteague, including many in breeding plumage. At Fishing Point, we witnessed a frenzy of Sanderlings and Red Knots on the beach feeding on Horseshoe Crab eggs. We brought our boat trip to a productive close by traveling up to Black Point Landing where we enjoyed seeing hundreds of shorebirds feeding along the edge of the marshes.
-Elton Morel
Blue Grosbeak photographed by Ken Sardegna
Red Knot photographed by Alan Mitchnick
Snowy Egret photographed by Toby Hardwick
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 shown below.
Check the NVBC website for updated information about trips: http://www.nvabc.org/updated-field-trips/.
Next-day rainy day make-up day may be possible if trip leader is available. Cancellation and make up day will be announced via NVBC email exchange and web site.
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
August 10
8 AM
Bombay Hook X-Trip Members only/ Registration Required
Trip Leaders
Larry Meade
Bob Butterworth Toby Hardwick Bert Harris
703-343-0933
703-201-1517
615-440-0666
17
Ed LeGrand Joan Mashburn Larry Meade Mer Mietzelfeld Beth Moore
908-268-6627
703-209-8678
571-275-2523
607-643-8307
703-989-2563
24
7:30 AM
Huntley Meadows Dixie Sommers Mer Mietzelfeld
Elton Morel
Tom Nardone Phil Silas Dixie Sommers
703-907-9951
703-946-7738
703-987-0817
703-969-7931
31
8 AM
Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Springs Battlefield
Elton Morel
Ed LeGrand
September 1
7:15 PM
Swift/Nighthawk Watch
Joan Mashburn
Call leader for meeting
place and directions
4
8:30 AM
Long Branch Dixie Sommers Tom Nardone
7
7:30 AM
Leesylvania SP
Phil Silas Tom Nardone
11
8:30 AM
Fort C.F. Smith Dixie Sommers Joan Mashburn
14
7:30 AM
Clifton Institute Bert Harris Elton Morel
18
8:30 AM
Algonkian RP Elton Morel Joan Mashburn
19
NVBC
Meeting
8 PM
21
7:30 AM
Occoquan Bay NWR
Phil Silas
25
8:30 AM
Huntley Meadows Hike/Bike Trail Dixie Sommers Bob Butterworth
28
7:30 AM
Leopold’s Preserve Ed LeGrand Larry Meade
October
2
8:30 AM
Long Branch
Bob Butterworth
5
8 AM
Silver Lake RP Ed LeGrand Toby Hardwick
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
October
9
8:30 AM
Neabsco Regional Park Boardwalk
Oct 11 -13
Cape May Weekend
Members only/ Registration opens August 26
Phil Silas
@12 noon
Bob Butterworth
Gerco Hoogeweg and Larry Meade
12
8 AM
Bristoe Station
Battlefield Park
Toby Hardwick
Bob Butterworth
16
19
8:15 AM
Sky Meadows SP
Elton Morel Tom Nardone
8:30 AM
Laurel Hill Equestrian Center
Bob Butterworth
Tom Nardone
23
8:30 AM
Frying Pan Farm Park
Elton Morel Joan Mashburn
26
8 AM
Manassas
Battlefield Park
Brawner Farm
Toby Hardwick
Joan Mashburn
30
November
2
8 AM
Aquia Landing Beach Park Elton Morel
Bob Butterworth
8:30 AM
Meadowood Recreation
Area – Lower Potomac
Field Station
Tom Nardone
Beth Moore
DIRECTIONS
NVBC Meeting (9/19) St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Ln, Arlington 22207, at the intersection of Lorcom Ln and Military Rd. From the intersection of Spout Run Pkwy and Lorcom Ln, go about a half mile on Lorcom to the second traffic light. Turn left onto Military and enter the first driveway on the right. There is some parking near the Church’s back entrance and a bigger lot up the driveway. There is on-street parking. Enter at the back door facing Military Rd which leads to the Undercroft where the meeting in held.
Algonkian Regional Park (9/18) 47001 Fairway Dr, Sterling 20165 From I-495, take Rt 7 west 11 miles (mi.) to Cascades Pkwy north and drive 3 mi. to the park entrance. Proceed on Fairway Dr turning left onto Volcano Island Dr, then turn right into parking lot. Meet at the parking lot beside restrooms and Park Shelter 1.
Aquia Landing Beach Park (11/2) 2846 Brooke Rd, Stafford 22554 From southbound I-95 towards Stafford, take
exit 140 to Stafford, then left (east) on Courthouse Rd (Rt 630), go 3.5 mi. and turn right on Andrew Chapel Rd (Rt 629), go 0.9 mi. and under the railroad bridge to a slight left onto Brooke Rd (Rt 608), go 4.4 mi. to the park entrance, continue past park entrance gate to the parking lot at the end of the road. Meet in the parking lot.
Bombay Hook X-trip (8/10) Take Rt 50 across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Go north 34 mi. on Rt 301. Turn right at Rt 300. Go 15 mi. to Kenton, Delaware. At the traffic light, turn right on Rt 42 to Leipsic. From there go left on Rt 9 for 1.5 mi. to the entrance of the refuge. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park (10/12) 10708 Bristow Rd, Bristow, VA 20136. From I-95: Take Rt 234 north (exit 152B), travel 7.5 mi. and make a left onto Independent Hill Dr. Then make immediate right onto Rt 619 (Bristow Rd). Travel 7 mi. and turn left onto Iron Brigade Unit Ave. The parking lot is located on the left at the traffic circle. From I-66: Take Rt 234 south (Exit 44). Travel 4.5
miles and turn right onto Rt 28 (Nokesville Rd). Travel 1.5 mi. and turn left onto Rt 619 (Bristow Rd). Travel
0.25 mi., turn right onto Iron Brigade Unit Ave and continue to parking lot. Meet in parking lot.
Clifton Institute (9/14) 6712 Blantyre Rd, Warrenton 20187 Take 1-66 West to exit 40, to merge onto US-15 south towards Haymarket (0.4 mi), then turn right onto VA-55 West. Drive 5 mi. and turn left onto Blantyre Rd. Proceed 5.6 mi. and then turn right on to a dirt road. Drive northwest for about 0.3 mi. to the first lake and park in the parking lot on the left. Please do not drive up to the house and park there.
Fort C.F. Smith (9/11) 2411 24th St N, Arlington 22207 From I-66 east, take exit 72 (Spout Run Pkwy). At traffic light, turn right on Lee Hwy. At successive traffic lights turn left onto Spout Run Pkwy, then left onto Lorcom Ln, then right onto Fillmore St. Go one block on Fillmore, turn right onto N. 24th St (watch for speed humps), and continue to park on left. Meet in parking lot at east end of park.
Trip Directions from page 5
Frying Pan Park (10/23) 2739 West Ox Rd, Herndon 20171 From Fairfax County Parkway (Rte 286), go 0.8 miles northwest on West Ox Rd (Rte. 608), turn right into the Visitor Center Parking lot. Meet the group in the parking area at the north end of the Visitor Center.
Huntley Meadows Hike & Bike Trail (9/25) From I-495, take Rt 1 south 0.5 mi. to Rt 633 (S. King Hwy). Turn right (west), go 2.5 mi. to park entrance and lot on left (just before Telegraph Rd).
Huntley Meadows Park (8/24) 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria 22306 From I-495, take Rt 1 south 3 miles to Lockheed Blvd. Right on Lockheed; go 0.5 miles to Harrison Ln, park entrance on left. Meet in parking lot. Laurel Hill Equestrian Center (10/16) Lorton From I-495, take I-95 south about 7 mi. to exit 163 (Lorton Rd). Continue 1.4 mi. west on Rt 642/ Lorton Rd, then turn left on Rt 611/ Furnace Rd then an immediate right onto Dairy Rd. Proceed to and meet in the parking lot.
Leesylvania State Park (9/7) 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge 22191 From I-495, take I-95 south about 14 mi. to exit 156 (Dale City/ Rippon Landing/Rt 784). Following the posted highway signs for Leesylvania State Park, exit east on Rt 784. Proceed eastward 1.1 mi. to Rt 1. Turn right (south) on Rt 1 and go 0.9 mi. to Neabsco Rd. Immediately past the Wawa service station, turn left (east) on Neabsco Rd and proceed 2 mi. to park entrance on right. After passing through the park entrance gate, go 2.2 mi. to end of paved road and park in “Picnic Area” parking lot, immediately before turn-around circle at fishing pier. State fee area.
Leopold’s Preserve (9/28) 16283 Thoroughfare Rd, Haymarket 20169 From I-66 west, take exit 40 to Rt 15 toward Haymarket/Leesburg. Turn left onto Rt 15 south. Turn right onto Rt 55 and go 1.7 mi. to Thoroughfare Rd. Turn left onto Thoroughfare and go 0.3 mi. There are parking lots on both sides of the road. Meet in the right hand (west) parking lot. The left hand (east) Parking lot can be used for overflow parking.
Long Branch Nature Area (9/4, 10/2) 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington 22204 Take Rt 50, east from Fairfax or west from Rosslyn to Carlin Springs exit. Go south on Carlin Springs 0.5
mi. to Nature Center on left, just south of N. Va Community Hospital on left. Meet at Nature Center parking lot.
Manassas Battlefield Park – Brawner Farm (10/26) Manassas 20109 From I-495 take I-66 west 21 mi. to exit 43B for US-29 N. Continue on US 29 for 1.3 mi. Turn left onto Pageland Ln. Continue 0.5 mi. then turn right into Brawner Farm. Continue 0.3 mi. to Brawner Farm parking lot (6501 Pageland Ln, Gainesville 20155). Meet in the parking lot.
Meadowood Recreation Area (10/30) 10406 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079 From I-495, take I-95 south 7 mi. to Lorton exit. Left on Rt 642 . Immediately after passing under railroad tracks (0.25 mi.) turn right on Lorton Market Rd, which soon becomes Gunston Cove Rd. After crossing Rt 1, road becomes Gunston Rd. Go 1.8 miles to Meadowood on right. (BLM, Lower Potomac Station Office). Park on right next to horse barns just before field station building. Neabsco Regional Park Boardwalk ( 1 0 / 9 ) 1 5 1 2 5 B l a c k b u r n R d , Woodbridge 22191 From I-495, take I-95 south about 14 mi. to exit 156 (Dale City/Rippon Landing/Rt. 784). Take exit 156A for Rt 784 east toward Rippon Landing. Continue 0.7 mi. cross Rt 1 where Dale Blvd becomes Rippon Blvd and continue down the hill another 0.4 mi. to the traffic light and turn right on Blackburn Rd. The park parking lot is then 0.2 mi. on the left.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (9/21) 13950 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge 22192 From I-495, take I-95 south 9 mi. to (left) exit 161 (Woodbridge). Go south on Rt 1 about 2 mi. to left turn onto Dawson Beach Rd. Continue on Dawson Beach 0.7 mi. to entrance gate. Meet in the central parking lot near the covered pavilion (not the Visitor Information Center).
Shenandoah River Campus at Cool Springs Battlefield (8/31) From I-495, take VA-267 West (Dulles Toll Road) to Leesburg for 36.8 mi. Take exit 1A and merge onto US-15 South/ VA-7 West/Leesburg Bypass for 3.3 mi. Continue straight to stay on VA7 West for 17.1 mi. After passing Snicker’s Gap but just before the Shenandoah River Bridge, turn right at Parker Lane (F709) then go 1.4 mi. to the parking lot. To avoid the toll, from I-495 take VA-7 West (Leesburg Pike) to Leesburg for 47.2 mi. After passing
Snicker’s Gap but just before the Shenandoah River Bridge, turn right at Parker Lane, then go 1.4 mi. to the parking lot.
Silver Lake Park (10/5) 16198 Silver Lake Rd, Haymarket 20169 From I-495, take I-66 west 24 miles to exit
40 (Rt 15). Turn south onto Rt 15 (toward Haymarket) and go 0.3 mi. to Rt 55. Turn right onto Rt 55 and go 0.9 miles to Antioch Rd. Turn right onto Antioch and go 1.3 mi. to Silver Lake Rd. Turn right and proceed to park entrance and continue to parking lot next to the lake. Meet in parking lot. Sky Meadows State Park (10/19) 11012 Edmonds Ln, Delaplane 20144 From I-495, take I-66 west 42 mi. to exit for Rt 17 north (Delaplane/Paris). Go north on Rt 17 6.5 mi. to Rt 710. Turn left into park and proceed 1 mi. to Visitor Center parking lot. State fee area.
Birding in Suriname
During Field Guides’ “Succinct Suriname: Cotingas & Trumpeters” tour in January 2024, I hoped to find species I had missed when birding before along the Guiana Shield. I certainly was not disappointed.
The Precambrian Guiana Shield lies along much of South America’s northeastern coast, and its diverse habitats make the Shield one of the planet’s most biodiverse areas. In Suriname, which is slightly larger than the state of Georgia and boasts 93 percent forest cover, 698 bird species have been documented.
Due to Surinam Airways’ flight schedule, we eight participants arrived a day before the tour’s start in Suriname’s capital Paramaribo. After morning birding around the Eco Torarica Hotel-and nabbing the sole Suriname endemic, the Arrowhead Piculet-we met our two guides: Mexico-based Micah Riegner of Field Guides and Suriname-based Sean Dilrusosun. They kindly booked a boat to take us into the Suriname River estuary t o s e a r c h f o r r a r e G u i a n a dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) and birds. About 60 (of an estimated population of 500) dolphins came close enough for us to enjoy them.
Having turned our focus firmly to birds, we found 111 species the f i r s t official tour day near Paramaribo. We then set off south to Colakreek in the white-sands area near Zanderij Airport. I especially e n j o y e d t h e F o r k – t a i l e d Palmcreeper, which, in Suriname, is found only in Moriche palm stands.
Although we always had electricity at night, from here on out we rarely had cellphone access. Radio communication was available at lodges and sometimes, WiFi. Accommodations were basic but clean and comfortable, with private rooms available and, at two spots, shared bathroom facilities.
Next, we l oaded up for Brownsberg, at “high elevation” (1690 feet/515 meters) in humid primary forest. Upon our arrival, Gray-winged Trumpeters strolled past us. The rugged roads up and nearby tested the limits of our 4- wheel-drive bus and able driver
Joergen. Our marvelous cook, Cameiro, rose well before dawn to make us fresh bread on a stove.
As we birded, several species of monkeys often came by. We also saw a remarkable number of snakes, nearly all of which were non-venomous. Nearly: I have excellent
close-up photos of the deadly fer-de-lance (Bothrops atrox).
The most comfortable lodge at which we stayed, the dark and quiet “Fred’s Place,” is in Fredberg’s lowland primary forest. To date, loggers have taken only trees of high economic value because forest diversity and density is so high that clearcutting simply is not economically viable. It’s odd but very fine when only the presence of a temporary road indicates that logging has occurred.
We ended the trip with two nights back at Colakreek, where we found Campina Thrush and other white- sands species. With occasional exceptions, as when hiking to a Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock lek near Fred’s Place, walking on this tour was easy, for up to eight miles a day. Weather was hot, with periodic cooling downpours.
We birded 12 days, and I observed 321 species-58 were lifers. In addition to the tour’s titular trumpeter and 7 species of cotingas, we saw 4 species of nightjars/allies, 2 of potoos, 10 of hummingbirds, 5 of vultures, 20 of hawks/kites/ osprey, 3 of owls, 5 of trogons, 5 of
puffbirds, 6 of jacamars, 5 of
toucans, 12 of woodpeckers, 6 of falcons/caracaras, 16 of parrots/ macaws, 32 of antbird/wren/shrike/ pitta/thrush, 17 of ovenbirds/ woodcreepers, and 8 of manakins. I was especially thrilled to see the White-winged Potoo, Foothill Screech-owl, Collared Puffbird, and the aptly named Musician Wren.
I found Suriname intriguing: Though in South America, it has no discernible Latin influences. Instead, descendants of African slaves and of “Hindustani” and Javanese indentured servants make up most of the population along with Creoles. Dutch is the official language, with Sranang Tongo a dominant local creole. English is widely spoken. Field Guides books both tours and flights-rescheduling of my delayed outgoing flight went smoothly. Our guides were superb, and I was especially impressed by American Micah’s knowledge of bird song.
-Robin Duska
Crimson-hooded Manakin (above) and Green-tailed Jacamar (below) photographed by Robin Duska
Note: additional Suriname bird photographs in online addendum.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB
P.O. BOX 5812
ARLINGTON, VA 22205-0812
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
JOIN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA BIRD CLUB
Northern Virginia Bird Club dues for 2024 are $10 for Individual and $15 for Family Membership. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, The Siskin. Checks for dues should be sent to Northern Virginia Bird Club, Attn: Membership, P. O. Box 5812 , Arlington, VA 22205-0812. Or join or renew online at the club’s website at http://www.nvabc.org/join/.
If you miss an issue of The Siskin or need to report an address or ZIP Code change, please send an email message to lgmeade@gmail.com or leave a message for Elizabeth Fenton at emfenton@cox.net.
Please note: NVBC does not exchange, give away, or sell its membership lists.
NVBC ON THE WEB
Current information and special notices about NVBC meetings, field trips, and other activities, along with a printable membership form, are posted on the club’s website, www.nvabc.org. If you have information or pictures you would like to see on the website,
please email the webmaster, Jeremy Beck, at jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com.
NVBC eMail Exchange
By participating in the club’s email exchange, you can get email notices of late updates to The Siskin and the field trip schedule. To join the exchange, send an email to lgmeade@gmail.com. Put “EXCHANGE” in the subject field and your full name in the message area. You will receive a r e s p o n s e f r o m n v b c – exchange@googlegroups.com. The list is for NVBC members’ use only.
General Meeting Dates: September 19, and November 21, 2024.
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, August 15, 2024, 7:30 pm. To join the Zoom board meeting or to have items put on the agenda, please email lgmeade@gmail.com.
Deadline for next issue of The Siskin: The November issue will include activities through January 2 0 2 5 . P l e a s e s e n d i t e m s f o r publication by September 10, 2024 to the editors at nvbcsiskineditor @gmail.com.
CLUB CONTACTS
President: Larry Meade, 571-275-2523
Vice President, Programs: Phil Silas, 703-987-0817
Vice President, Field Activities: Elton Morel, 703-907-9951 Secretary: Diane Marton,
703-527-7360
Treasurer: Jean Tatalias, 571-447-7977
Directors:
Jeremy Beck, 703-517-1816
Joan Mashburn, 703-209-8678 Directors Emeritus: Charlotte Friend, Joanna Taylor, Don Wiesnet Membership: Elizabeth Fenton, emfenton@cox.net
Webmaster, www.nvabc.org: Jeremy Beck, jghyll+nvabc@gmail.com Editors, The Siskin: Pat and Neal Gause, nvbcsiskineditor@gmail.com, 703-476-3903
Administrator, NVBC Facebook Group: Allie Guidry (please contact through Facebook page)
NVBC email: lgmeade@gmail.com
Birds of Suriname
Photographed by Robin Duska
Two views of Gray-winged Trumpeter (above) Ashy-headed Greenlet (left)
Black-capped Donacobius (below left) Spotted Tody-Flycatcher (below right)
Additional Chincoteague Birds
Dunlin photographed by Ken Sardegna
Semipalmated Plover photographed by Alan Mitchnick
Ruddy Turnstone photographed by Ken Sardegna
Red Knot photographed by Alan Mitchnick
Black-bellied Plover photographed by Ken Sardegna
Spotted Sandpiper photographed by Alan Mitchnick
The Siskin . Vol. 69 No. 3 . August 2024 Addendum website only 2
Additional Chincoteague Birds
Common Tern photographed by Ken Sardegna First cycle Bonaparte’s Gull photographed by Ken Sardegna
American Oystercatcher photographed by Alan Mitchnick Clapper Rail photographed by Alan Mitchnick
Whimbrels photographed by Alan Mitchnick