March 30, 2018

I got out briefly this evening and visited a couple of spots in Frederick and Clarke Counties.  I observed Tree, Rough-winged and Barn Swallows.  I also had my FOY Greater Yellowlegs and a continuing immature Red-tailed Hawk (abeiticola).

 

March 25, 2018

I traveled between Richmond and Winchester this afternoon and made one “official” stop at Bowman’s Pond in Fauquier County.  At this location I located one Cackling Goose in amongst the 500+ Canada Geese.

While in route I noted one partially leucistic Turkey Vulture.

March 17, 2018

I got out briefly today in the early morning and then again about mid-afternoon.  At Lake Frederick this morning the fourteen (14) Tundra Swan were the most observed by me in the county this year.

In the afternoon, I again visited Lake Frederick and the highlight was my FOS Rough-winged Swallow.  I then visited the pond at the Rubbermaid Plant near Winchester and observed a single Tree Swallow.  In Clarke County, I had another apparent abieticola Red-tailed Hawk.

 

March 11, 2018

I traveled into southern West Virginia this morning visiting both Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.  My highlight in Berkeley County was watching a mink forage along a stream in the early morning light.

Note the fur’s appearance after being out of the water for about 4 minutes.

In Jefferson County, I had two Peregrine Falcon, one feeding on recently caught prey at a distance and another perching high in some excellent sunlight.

I also had my FOS Rusty Blackbirds in Jefferson County.

As I traveled through Frederick County, Va., I observed my first Tundra Swan of the year.

In the early afternoon I traveled into Hampshire County, WV and enjoyed a male Common Merganser and some Wood Duck on the Cacapon River.

 

March 10, 2018

This morning I started at Lake Frederick and found only P-b. Grebes (2), Red-breasted Mergansers (2), Mallard (3) and ~30 Canada Geese.  I then headed to Clarke County where I encountered a very interesting buteo.   I have requested that a couple of people review the photographs and all that see the photographs at this site can contribute their perspective.  I received feedback from Jerry Liguori who has identified the buteo as a “heavily” marked juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).  Brian Sullivan contributed “We don’t know enough about juvenile abieticola yet, except to say that they are often quite heavily marked like this, beyond what is typical for borealis.”

 

March 3, 2018

I got out at daybreak this morning and started on Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico County.  They have created an impoundment on the left side of the road now as you get about .3 miles down the road.  This morning it was hosting ~375 Canada Geese, 8 Gadwall, 12 Green-winged Teal, 6 Wood Duck, 24 Mallards, 2 Black Duck, 1 Pintail (female) and 1 hybrid Pintail/Mallard Duck.

I then visited the City of Hopewell and observed two (2) Orange-crowned Warblers still remaining from the winter period and one (1) Yellow-throated Warbler which was probably an overwintering individual(?).