field_report from "Rock Creek Park" on 09/13/2008 - 7:00am
Field report for: Rock Creek Park from 09/13/2008 - 7:00am to 09/13/2008 - 12:00pm
Rock Creek Park field trip report, Sept. 13, 2008
By Paul DeAnna
Our 8th annual Fall field trip to Rock Creek Park began at the Nature Center parking lot, where leader Paul DeAnna met the group and outlined the itinerary. It’s pretty routine by now, actually: Ridge, Equitation Field, Maintenance Yard, return to Nature Center, end at Military Field (a.k.a., the ‘dog run’). And it works in Spring as well as Fall, by the way. Of course one can vary the route, but I would advise trying the ‘standard’ approach a few times first. Fall trips can be risky, since bird numbers are somewhat variable, both day to day and hour to hour, and the reasons for these ups and downs aren’t entirely obvious. On this particular day, things were a bit quiet, as the weather had been unseasonably warm, and the overnight winds had been from the South (precisely the wrong direction, of course). Since our field trip dates are chosen months in advance, we take the weather as we find it—but you can be more flexible in planning return visits, so I suggest you try on days following the arrival of a cold front.
Our first stop, the Ridge (a.k.a. Picnic Area 17/18) is a well-known “migrant trap” because of the way it bisects the high ground of the Park, serving as an inviting rest stop for migrants descending from their overnight flights. For the most part these birds have put off the bright colors of Spring, and most have also lost interest in singing. For these reasons and more, identification problems tend to be magnified. Now it is all very well for the leader to discourse on the importance of noting wing bars, streaking, and so on, but wild birds don’t necessarily sit still to be studied like a field guide illustration. The patient application of field experience will be rewarded, however, as you learn to put the right pieces of the puzzle together.
Despite the challenges, our group identified several warbler species, including Magnolia Warbler, with its distinctive “dipped in ink” undertail pattern, American Redstarts (sometimes called Yellowstarts in the Fall), as well as Black and White, a lingering Blue-winged Warbler (normally this species is well South by this date), and a Northern Parula. There were several Red-eyed Vireos about as well. Pay attention to the bill when separating Warblers, with their fine needle-like bills, from the slower-moving Vireos, which have a thicker bill with a very slight hook at the end. Be advised though, that attention to this level of detail takes lots of practice.
Further down Ridge Road, just south of the entrance of Ross Drive, is the Equitation Field. When the early sun was rakes the tree tops the activity level can be just as high as on the ridge. Here we found one of the small empidonax flycatchers, the bane of birders; possibly, this was a Yellow-bellied, but we did not get definitive looks. Redstarts and Black-and-white Warblers were here as well. A mystery sparrow turned out to be an immature Chipping Sparrow. The Sibley guide has a good illustration.
As the activity level subsided around 9:00 or so, we retraced our steps to the Stables area. Near the hay barn, the path divides, and we took the left fork that leads downhill to the Maintenance Yard, another of the park’s hot spots. Why is the birding so good in this rather unprepossessing area (actually a waste area behind the actual fenced Maintenance Yard)? Like the Ridge and the Equitation Field, it is an open clearing in the midst of surrounding woods. Also, the relative lack of human disturbance is part of the reason it has produced a string of rarities for D.C. over the years. Here we had some
nice views of Magnolia Warbler (seen earlier on the Ridge, but this time at closer to eye-level and easier on the neck). Our best yard bird was a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but we also had nice looks at Scarlet Tanager (now a dull yellow instead of scarlet), and Baltimore Oriole, in more subdued Fall livery. Common Yellowthroats were also present.
Returning to the parking lot, we turned up a Hairy Woodpecker. We finished our trip by strolling slowly around the paved trail at the Nature Center, but did not find any additional species. With the heat of the day building, the dog run was left for another time (it is better later in the season anyway).
Thanks to all participants for their contributions to the following list of birds identified. Should a species be missing that you remember seeing, please contact me.
1. Red-shouldered Hawk
2. Mourning Dove
3. Chimney Swift
4. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
5. Red-bellied Woodpecker
6. Downy Woodpecker
7. Hairy Woodpecker
8. Northern Flicker
9. Pileated Woodpecker
10. Eastern Wood-Pewee
11. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
12. Red-eyed Vireo
13. Blue Jay
14. American Crow
15. Carolina Chickadee
16. Tufted Titmouse
17. White-breasted Nuthatch
18. Carolina Wren
19. House Wren
20. American Robin
21. Gray Catbird
22. Blue-winged Warbler
23. Northern Parula
24. Magnolia Warbler
25. Blackburnian Warbler
26. Black-and-white Warbler
27. American Redstart
28. Common Yellowthroat
29. Scarlet Tanager
30. Eastern Towhee
31. Chipping Sparrow
32. Song Sparrow
33. Northern Cardinal
34. Common Grackle
35. Baltimore Oriole
36. American Goldfinch
37. House Sparrow
