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!