What a glorious, if frosty, morning we had on Saturday at the Blandy Experimental Farm/State Arboretum of Virginia! Eleven dedicated birders bundled up for our 8:30 AM start, kicking off over three hours of fantastic winter birding. It was a crisp 27degrees with a brilliant, clear blue sky and just enough snow on the ground from Friday to make the landscape sparkle. We wasted no time getting straight into the action. Right behind the Quarters building in a small group of conifers, we scored an immediate treat: a wonderful, close-up view of a Red-Breasted Nuthatch . During the walk we spotted six different kinds of woodpeckers, including an exciting dual between a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker . Mockingbirds were everywhere, warily watching our progress. But the absolute highlight? Spending a great deal of time watching several American Tree Sparrows in the scrubby fields. One of these beautiful winter visitors came incredibly close, giving everyone truly spectacular views. They were joined by some Field Sparrows, all hopping onto the tall Indian grass, causing the stalks to bend over in a lovely display of natural engineering. Six of us continued on a short driving loop afterwards, where we were lucky enough to spot the brilliant flash of a Red-Headed Woodpecker and a nice little Kestrel ! What a rewarding morning—proof that some of the best birding happens when you embrace the chill!
