As part of the month-long Celebrate Birds events, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy hosted a bird walk at Broad Run Valley Stream Park in Brambleton on Saturday, April 29. Broad Run Valley Stream Park is one of Loudoun County’s birding hot spots and ranks number sixteen in the number of species recorded at the location.

Photo by Michael Sciortino

Eight individuals joined Michael Sciortino and John Denice for a water-filled and muddy walk around the park. Fortunately, Saturday was nestled in between a rainy Friday and an expected rainy Sunday. We took advantage of the opportunity to get out and celebrate birds during the pause in the rain. We never did see clear skies or the direct sun, and we traveled through mist for a good part of the trip.

We were able to record 58 species (plus one unidentified duck species) during the 2.8 mile hike. As usual, the group gathered at the pond overlook platform across Evergreen Mills Road and accessed the park via the tunnel. The pond area was quiet on this morning, and from there we traveled the full length of the butterfly trail loop.

The swamp area surrounding the Great Blue Heron rookery was active. Two herons were visible on their nests, and this is always a joy to see in the heart of Loudoun County. Blue-gray gnatcatchers were in abundance with their mewing zeee, zeee calls filling the air throughout the entire walk. We heard the chatter of a Red-headed Woodpecker coming from the woods closest to Broad Run, but we did not get a visual sighting. This species of woodpecker is reliable in this section of the park, and we were sure we would hear or see one. We did have sightings of both Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers as well.

Rusty Blackbird.
Photo by Michael Sciortino

As we traveled the main trail paralleling Broad Run, we began to hear a Great Crested Flycatcher projecting its whee-eep call from the woods. We eventually were able to spot it as it moved along with us. This was a first for many and a first of season for most of us. Both Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos were singing from the woods. Two Canada Geese flew directly along our path and passed overhead as a misty rain began to intensify. An inquisitive Gray Catbird popped out of the woods to see what we were up to. It stayed for photos then went back to its business on the stream bank. The rain brought out many opportunities to see frogs, and we paused to watch a Northern Cricket Frog cross the path.

We had excellent looks at a Rusty Blackbird perched above the trail, and then again as one was foraging in the wooded swamp area. This provided an excellent visual and photo opportunity for the group, and we were able to see the distinctive features that give this species its name. We also began to hear the first sounds of a Prairie Warbler calling from the clearing ahead. We followed the sounds of the Prairie Warbler to the front of the park but getting a look at it proved to be almost impossible. The warbler was so close, but, yet so far away. Some in the group did catch a glimpse of it as it perches atop a cedar tree for a split second only to fly off and dash the hopes of others.

The pond near the barn area was quiet, but we did spot a White-crowned Sparrow in the adjacent field along with Field and White-throated Sparrows. Numerous Common Yellowthroats skulked in the vegetation and chucked and chattered with each other. A few males were staking out their territory with their witchety, witchety, witchety songs.

The larger ponds were devoid of any waterfowl, but the group had goods looks at both Spotted and Solitary Sandpapers, as well as our second look at a Green Heron. For many attendees, these were firsts-of-season sightings. We also began to hear the distinct insect-like buzzing of a Grasshopper Sparrow, another first of season for many. After nearly four hours, we were back where we started at the Bdeck overlooking the swollen pond as we watched a lone Great Blue Heron hunting for lunch.

For a complete list of the birds observed at Broad Run please see below or view on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S135416136

Northern Cricket Frog.
Photo by Karen Hoffman

Species List
Canada Goose 9
Mallard 8
duck sp. 2
Wild Turkey 1 Heard along Broad Run.
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 6
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Great Blue Heron 4
Green Heron 1
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Barred Owl 1 Heard along Broad Run.
Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Heard along Broad Run…also confirmed by Merlin.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 6
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
House Wren 1
Carolina Wren 5
European Starling 25
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 5
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 6
House Sparrow 6
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 6
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 6
White-crowned Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird 47
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 3
Common Yellowthroat 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Prairie Warbler 4
Northern Cardinal 8

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