Four of the Shrike Force.
Photo by Laura McGranaphan

Shrike Force began their Birdathon in the afternoon of May 9 in central Loudoun. After visiting 17 different locations scattered throughout the county, the team wrapped up 48 hours later near Bluemont where we found both a Hooded Merganser and a Barn Owl. While Joe Coleman and Mary Ann Good visited every location, team members Laura and Liam McGranaghan were only able to join us up on the ridge on Saturday morning, and Dan Sill joined us at Algonkian on Friday morning.

The first place we visited was Meadowbrook Farm Pond immediately south of Evergreen Mill Road in Leesburg. This stormwater pond has become a great location for shorebirds and waterfowl, and this year was no exception. Our next stop was Beaverdam Reservoir where we found the first of two different Common Loons. The second was found Friday morning on the Potomac River at Algonkian Regional Park. This turned out to be the most productive spot we visited. Other highlights included two Trumpeter Swans, one on a nest, in far southwestern Loudoun County, seen just minutes before the skies opened up on us on Friday afternoon.

Unfortunately, Bles Park, which has been rich with birds in previous years, was a disappointment, probably because of the unsightly (and unnecessary?) removal of mature trees and shrubs along the trails and near the pond that anchors the park.

Juvenile Bald Eagle feeding on a Red Fox carcass.
Photo by Joe Coleman

While we saw healthy numbers of most of the woodpeckers that are here in May, we did miss observing a Hairy Woodpecker. However, finding Common Ravens throughout the county was a pleasant change from the early days of the Birdathon, which for us dates back to 2004. Four American Kestrels, two of which were actively courting at Sweet Run State Park, were a nice treat. Other raptors seen included a juvenile Bald Eagle that when it saw us, tried to carry off a small, dead Red Fox. When it didn’t succeed, it chose to ignore us and continued to devour it while we watched.

We found a total of 19 warbler species in a number of different locations. The two richest spots for them were a couple side roads on the east side of Blue Ridge Mountain Road and Algonkian Regional Park. And, if we had simply accepted what the Merlin sound app identified, we would have been able to add several more. However, as Merlin emphasizes, their identifications are only suggestions, and unless you can confirm them, they are not countable. We were also pleased to find all five vireo species that are possible in our area in the spring. The complete bird species list can be viewed on eBird at: https://ebird.org/tripreport/236156.

Fox Squirrel
Photo by Joe Coleman

Our sightings weren’t limited to just birds as we watched a beaver swim all the way across the Dulles Greenway Wetlands towards us until it finally became aware of us and, with a splash of its tail, disappeared. There were also several Fox Squirrels in a variety of locations in western Loudoun County. Interestingly enough, these squirrels are often found in the same areas as Red-headed Woodpeckers (of which we saw nine). Both creatures like large, mature trees in a somewhat open setting.

In the 20 years Shrike Force has been participating in the Birdathon, Loudoun County has changed dramatically. However, the county still contains much rich habitat and many beautiful areas, and is well worth exploring and protecting!

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