Bird Spotting!

A couple of weeks ago, deep in the woods behind the homes on Add Dr. the wildlife folks from Fairfax County installed a camera to record a fox den. The mama fox and her kits gave them quite a show but an unexpected visitor cruised through and gave us reason to add yet another bird to the neighborhood checklist (updated versions now available on the Luria Park kiosks). Check out this camera ready Wild Turkey strolling past the fox den:

This a Wild Turkey hen. These birds, considered by many to be game birds, have excellent eye sight and hearing. They are smart and they are very wary of humans. We are so lucky to have them living near us! If you see one you are very fortunate indeed!

And two of our younger naturalists, Grace and Martha, of Add Drive were strolling around the pond at Fairview Park. They forwarded me these wonderful photos of a noble Great Blue Heron fishing by the edge of the pond:

 It is such a thrill to have our neighborhood school-age children so interested in our natural world! If you have any photos you would like to share please pass them along! I will do my best to get them posted. Happy Birding!

He's Back: the Yellow-crowned Night Heron

We saw the Yellow-crowned Night Heron today, Monday, May 11 this afternoon hunting crayfish in the brush-dammed stream between the bridge and Raymondale side of Luria Park.

This large-sized wader spend his winters on the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America. Our park is on the edge of their breeding range so this fine fellow may be migrating through.

 The bird stands very still while hunting so you should get a good look. The best times for viewing are early morning and late in the day when the  shadows are deep.

 An elegant bird, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron's main diet consists of crustaceans, like the crayfish found in our streams.

Be alert and you'll most likely see this wonderful bird!

The House Wren

In Luria Park by the far entrance where Executive Road comes into the park, there was a commotion. A couple of birds were singing loudly this morning (May 5th). They sat on the Blue bird house and flitted in and out of the brush. This small group of little birds with a big voice are the House Wrens living in our park.

The House Wren differs from our more common Carolina Wren in that they are smaller and do not have a distinctive eye stripe. These House Wrens in Luria Park have bred and the chicks are beginning to leave the nest as I observed a young one on the edge of the  brush.

So, look for these small active birds with a really big voice. The House Wren!