Buffleheads and Birders Blown by the Wind at Broad Run
Loudoun Wildlife hosted a bird walk at Broad Run Valley Stream Park on Saturday, March 4. The Park is one of Loudoun County’s birding hot spots and ranks number 16 in the number of species recorded.
Eleven individuals, many of whom had not previously visited the Park, joined leaders Michael Sciortino and John Denice for a brisk walk. As we began, the wind picked up and made for challenging bird watching. The temperatures stayed moderate, and we did have periods of sun that helped compensate for the fierce winds. The trails were soggy from the rain on Friday night, which meant wet feet for some.
Male Bufflehead in flight.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
The group gathered at the pond overlook platform across Evergreen Mills and accessed the Park via the tunnel. Two Great Blue Herons guarded the pond but as the group gathered, they were spooked, and flew off. We also had distant sightings of Red-tailed Hawks high in the sky. We did get good views of the Great Blue Heron rookery that is visible from the Loudoun County Parkway. Many were not aware of its existence and were excited to see three herons tending to their nests.
We traveled the main trail that parallels Broad Run and took opportunities to look at the swollen stream. We flushed a few Mallards that were sheltering themselves from the wind, and they took to the air struggling to gain lift. We had flyovers of Hooded Mergansers as well.
As we approached the under-construction barn, we had sightings of two Tree Swallows which was a first of season for just about everyone in attendance. The ponds were busy with four Hooded Mergansers and 11 Buffleheads that oscillated back and forth on the ponds as the group made its way past.
Michael and John stopped at the field where there have been recent observations of American Woodcocks to show the group the habitat. No birds were visible, but they have been heard and sighted at this location over the past week. We picked up excellent views of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker inspecting and drilling holes in a tree near the community garden as we ended the walk.
The group was able to record 38 species during the hike of just over three miles. For the complete list see below or view on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S130132885
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with holes made in tree trunk.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
Species List:
Canada Goose 12
Mallard 7
Bufflehead 11
Hooded Merganser 4
Mourning Dove 2
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 6
Great Blue Heron 6
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 11
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Tree Swallow 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
European Starling 75
Northern Mockingbird 2
Eastern Bluebird 8
American Robin 28
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 2
Field Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 6
White-throated Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 42
Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
Northern Cardinal 8
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