Led by Michael Sciortino and Joe Coleman, eight people showed up at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s first bird walk of the year on January 9. It was a cold, blustery morning and perhaps for that reason, the group found only 31 species. That total did include two immature Bald Eagles, two Red-tailed Hawks, a Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Cooper’s Hawk. They, along with several Turkey and Black Vultures, demonstrated to the group how different raptors handle strong winds and how to tell them apart. There were a surprisingly low number of sparrows and other small birds.

For a complete list of all the birds observed at Banshee Reeks, see below or view on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S78925952

Photo by Michael Sciortino

This free monthly bird walk (every second Saturday) at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Friends of Banshee Reeks. We also host regular bird walks every third Sunday at Bles Park and every fourth Saturday at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. Participation is limited to keep groups small, and registration is required.

Species seen:
Canada Goose 25
Mallard 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 6
Ring-billed Gull 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 6
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 3
Fish Crow 11
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 6
European Starling 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
Eastern Bluebird 3
American Robin 42
American Goldfinch 1
Dark-eyed Junco 6
White-throated Sparrow 15
Song Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 2

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