Banshee Reeks Birders • Photo: Michael SciortinoThe January 2026 monthly Banshee Reeks bird walk was a wet affair from start to finish. The temperature started out mild but steadily dropped while the rain intensified, making it a challenging morning. Five hearty birders joined Michael Sciortino and Pat Whittle for the normally scheduled monthly bird walk, which ended with 25 species observed over 2.6 miles traveled.The parking lot was active with Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and a variety of woodpeckers. A few Northern Mockingbirds watched as we organized ourselves and got ready for the hike. Two Carolina Wrens chattered in the brambles on the left.

The group traveled toward the eastern part of the preserve via the Greenway trail. We watched Northern Flickers crisscrossing the field as numerous American Robins flew west. White-throated and Song Sparrows began chipping from the brambles. We turned right on the quiet Corner Pond trail. The rain grew steadily as we turned onto the Red Tail trail and made our way to the Beaver Pond. We were hoping to spot some waterfowl on the pond, but it was quiet as well. We did hear a lone Eastern Towhee make its “chewink” call from the left of the pond. To our delight, marking the highlight of the walk was a single Fox Sparrow that perched on the backside of a bush to the right of the trail. We heard the sharp “smack” call and eventually saw the rusty-brown sparrow with its heavy markings on its chest.

Our next point of interest was the eagle’s nest on the west side of Goose Creek, so we had to quicken our step if we were going to make it there without being totally drenched. We continued onto the Cathedral Trail via the Old Field Loop and stopped at the Goose Creek overlook. The bird activity was minimal all along the way and at the overlook. We stopped to admire the size and shape of the eagle’s nest, but the area was void of any actual eagle activity.

At this point we were soaked and temperatures were dropping. so we made a beeline back to the visitor’s center via the Carter Luck trail. We made a quick stop at the Springhouse Pond to see if there was any activity, but it was quiet as usual. At the visitor center pavilion, we did a quick tally and then dashed to the warmth of our cars. Other than the Fox Sparrow sighting that made the trip well worth it, the bird activity was routine thanks to the weather conditions.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy schedules three regular monthly bird walks, one at Sweet Run State Park on the 4th Saturday of every month (except in December), one at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on the second Saturday of every month, and one at Algonkian Regional Park on the third Sunday of every month except December. Check our “Events” page for more information and join us!

Here’s the full checklist of species and number observed:

• Canada Goose  37
• Mourning Dove  1
• Red-shouldered Hawk  1
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  2
• Red-bellied Woodpecker  3
• Downy Woodpecker  2
• Pileated Woodpecker  2
• Northern Flicker  5
• Blue Jay  12
• American Crow  2
• Carolina Chickadee  3
• Tufted Titmouse  1
• Golden-crowned Kinglet  4
• Carolina Wren  6
• European Starling  2
  
• Northern Mockingbird  3
  
• Eastern Bluebird  2
  
• American Robin  30
  
• Cedar Waxwing  45
  
• House Finch  2
  
• Fox Sparrow  1
  
• White-throated Sparrow  40
  
• Song Sparrow  6
  
• Eastern Towhee  4
  
• Northern Cardinal  6

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S293469153

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy schedules three regular monthly bird walks, one at Sweet Run State Park on the 4th Saturday of every month (except in December), one at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve on the second Saturday of every month, and one at Algonkian Regional Park on the third Sunday of every month except December. Learn more on our “Events” page and join us!