We decided to revisit Kirk-Cousins Management Area in September with our friends since our last visit there was a very brief one on a sweltering summer day.
The ponds attracted Mallards, Canada Geese and an immature Great Blue Heron.
Flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and European Starlings were gathering before they headed south.
The starlings sometimes filled the sky or lined the nearby communications tower and guy wires.
The Red-winged Blackbirds were much fewer in number and were mostly females.
American Goldfinch were transitioning to theirnonbreeding plumage. Some immature Cedar Waxwings were also perched on high branches.
In September, there is a steady stream of Blue Jays heading south. They are hard to get into focus!
A Cooper’s Hawk and a Red-tailed Hawk were surveying the scene, perhaps on the lookout for prey.
We made it farther along the trail in the conservation area, finding shade and wet woods.
The woods were relatively devoid of bird life. There was more to see in the open areas of scrub and meadow.
Buckthorn and Autumn Olive bushes were laden with fruit. Although they provide food for birds and animals, both are invasive and their fruit less nutritous than native fruiting bushes.
Asters, knapweed, and goldenrod were still in bloom.
High in an Eastern White Pine, we saw what we thought was a bird’s nest. On closer inspection, we found it was a nest of European Paper Wasps. Queens and reproductive males are likely to find shelter in the trunk of a hollow tree or under a large rock for the winter.
Dragonflies were still in flight. These are meadowhawks, not further identified.
White-faced (r)and Autumn (l)Meadowhawks
This Northern Crescent was somewhat worse for wear, but still flying.
January Weather
A January thaw last week was accompanied by rain that melted the snow and flooded the river.
A cold front has now arrived, bringing days and nights of gusty winds and snow and poor visibility.
The frost on the windows this year looks like plants growing from the seabed.
Brrr…
This playlist has some songs that I associate with winter (and sometimes Canada).
