Carolina Wren: Small Bird, Big Voice

One of the frequent visitors to our bird feeders, especially the suet feeder, is the lively little Carolina Wren.

This petite songster has one of the loudest and most exuberant voices of the Raymondale songbirds. The song of the Carolina Wren may very well be the first one you hear as dawn is breaking. His song can sound like a fast: "Don't be late! Don't be late!" and sometimes followed by a "rattlesnake" like trill.

The Carolina Wren prefers suet as they are insect eaters when the weather warms. A cage like suet feeder allows for the energetic Carolina Wren to slip inside and feed without being harassed by larger "bully" birds like the European Starling.

The Carolina Wren will also nest close to or on your home in hedges or in any small crevice where building a nest is possible. So if you hear an excited song first thing in the morning, it may very well be from the Carolina Wren, one of Raymondale's small songbirds.

(All photographs taken in Raymondale.)

 Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

The American Robin

The American Robin is also known as "Robin Red Breast" or just plain "Robin."

We have American Robins year round in Raymondale. You will see the year round Robins in small numbers, of no more than a few, walking through your lawn, cocking its head, listening for worms or insects. In early spring you may see large flocks of sometimes, scrawnier Robins, in your lawn. These Robins are migratory heading north to Canada.

The Robins will come to your yard but not to your feeder. They feed from the insects, grubs, and worms in your lawn. If you have a birdbath (a heated one in winter is a nice touch) the Robin will use it.

You can also find the American Robins roosting in trees as well as scampering across your lawn.

The Robin, for many, is a sign of spring but they stay here all winter. When you see a large flock of them, these fellows are sure to be heading for their summer homes north of the border in Canada. The migrating flock of Robins is a sign that spring is coming, for certain!

 (All photographs taken in Raymondale.)

 Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!

Birds of Raymondale, An Introduction

Welcome to this blog which will show you the birds seen in the neighborhood and bordering parkland through photos and description. This is an on-going project so, please stop by regularly and see what's flying around Raymondale!

Raymondale is a subdivision located in Falls Church, VA (also known as Providence, VA) with a 22042 zip code. Raymondale was founded in 1955 and contains 142 homes.

Raymondale is bordered by Luria Park to the west, a Fairfax County "pocket park" that connects to the woods of Holmes Run. Holmes Run is a creek or "run-off" tributary that meanders through hardwood forest and low lying wetland during periods of heavy precipitation. Lush undergrowth fills the park in spring and summer with the hardwood canopy above. This environment attracts many songbirds year round and migratory. The stream attracts some waterfowl, such as Canada Geese, Mallards and small waders such as the Green Heron. The hardwoods attract woodpeckers and raptors. Luria Park is an open space of approximately 4 acres with playground and basketball court. The open space is a nice flyway for larger birds such as the American Crow and spring/summer insect-eating birds who feed on the wing.

To the north of Raymondale is the open county maintained grass baseball/soccer fields of the Leis Center (formerly Walnut Hills Elementary School). This open space is bordered by oaks and other hardwoods as well as undergrowth. This combination of open space and tall trees attract raptors such as hawks and owls who feed on small mammals that cross the open field. The undergrowth provides needed cover and food for songbirds.

The Holmes Run stream and surrounding hardwood forest that serves as Raymondale's primary southern boundary is a lush habitat for songbirds, raptors, owls and the occasional waterfowl.

The diverse natural setting surrounding Raymondale combined with the mature trees and plantings in the yards of the homes, provides a more than suitable habitat for many species of birds!

Why a Raymondale bird blog? Dan and Beth Fedorko have been inventorying birds for Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count (www.feederwatch.org) which runs November through April each year. This inventory keeps track of migratory patterns, possible diseases, and decline and increase in bird populations. In response to the Raymondale Environmental Stewardship Task Force, we have started this blog which is separate from the general Raymondale news blog and more personal, to share our finds and photographs. If you see any birds in the neighborhood and surrounding parkland, please send us a photo! We'll help you identify it and might even post it on the blog!