Pileated Woodpecker

One of the Woodpeckers that I have been stalking for a couple of years and I have been unable to photograph is the Pileated Woodpecker. Or should I say "was unable". When I was out on my walk near the Potomac River at Dykes Marsh park I saw what looked like a small grouse near a fallen tree. When I walked close enough, I realized that it was a large Woodpecker. But bonus, there was actually 2 Pileated Woodpeckers working on the log. I was able to get a picture of both.

Pileated Woodpecker #1

 

Pileated Woodpecker #2

The Pileated Woodpecker will be added to my list as it is

a permanent resident to Northern VA. 

 

Update on the Bald Eagle Cam

All 3 eggs hatched. While it is rare to even lay 3 eggs, sources say that normally all 3 don't survive. We shall see.

All 3 chicks hatched.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

I am going to put up a series of blogs this week because I saw so many birds on my walk on Friday. Some of them were new birds to me and some were also new permanent resident birds. Here is the first one.

I was standing between the Potomac River and the treeline in Dykes Marsh park when these little yellow birds caught my attention. There were about 4-6 of them in the trees and they kept posing for the nicest pictures. This is the Golden-crowned Kinglet. You have no idea how long it took me to identify it. It was located on page 541 of my guide so it took me a while to get to that page.

They are winter residents to Northern VA and will soon be flying back up north.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Check me out.

World Bird Wednesday XIV

Birding is like a box a chocolates.. you never know what you are gonna get...

Some days when the weather is crappy and you have been to the same place over and over and haven't seen birds, one tends to break with the plan and go somewhere else. Today could have been one of those days.


But, I stuck with the plan. I went down by the lake and saw lots of birds even though I had been down there recently and there just weren't a lot of birds to be found. The weather was cold, windy and a little foggy today, but the birds were out everywhere. Because we are closing in on March, it seems like the birds are on the move.

I found a flock of Hermit Thrushes on the trail. New bird for me. Thanks new Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America.

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush, a winter visitor to NOVA

I also got a very good picture of a Northern Mockingbird.

Very clear picture of a Northern Mockingbird

This Red-winged Blackbird wasn't very happy with me.

Seemed a little miffed.

Over the last year or so, whenever I check out someone else's post and they have pictures of Cedar Waxwings, I post "wish I could see those." Well, I stayed with the plan. Even though I have walked by that same tree dozens and dozens of times, today the Cedar Waxwings were there.

Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwing is a permanent resident of Northern Virginia. This will be added to my list!!!! Finally...

Remember, like a box of chocolates, stick with the plan.

- Update- Friends of Blackwater NWR

I found a site called Friends of Blackwater NWR. They have set up a webcam and have pictures of the 3 eggs. This just totally blows me away.

http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html

World Bird Wednesday XI

It has still been cold, snowy and wet here in Northern Virginia. I have had a Blue Jay visiting the feeder constantly.  I read an interesting thing on the Rare Bird blog that I check weekly.

The BALD EAGLE at Blackwater NWR has laid the earliest 

egg ever recorded there and topped that by laying egg 

number 3 on January 20. 

The Blackwater NWR is located about 30 miles directly east of Northern Virginia in Maryland near the ocean. I am shocked that it is below freezing nearly every night, yet Bald Eagles are already laying their eggs. I really need to do some research on this.

Blue Jay