Hunting Creek Bridge

Hunting Creek Bridge (also known locally as the Stone Bridge) is probably the best location in Fairfax County to view a huge variety of shorebirds, waders, terns, and gulls. This is because Hunting Creek merges with the Potomac River under the bridge, depositing large amounts of sediment creating vast tidal flats. 

Hunting Creek can be a fickle location to bird –it's really hit or miss. One day it will be swarming with 200+ peeps and the next there will be nothing. It's easy to be disappointed especially after looking through the list of mouthwatering rarities, but here are some tips to increase your chances of success. The most important thing is to bring a scope; most of the birds will be very distant out on the flats or tightly packed together, so a scope is pretty much essential. Even better than a scope would be to kayak – it will put you right in the action and give you excellent views. Another thing is to keep the sun in mind. Afternoon is almost always the superior time, as the sun will be at your back when you look at the main flats from the bridge. For the western flats you can go to the George Washington Pedestrian Bridge in Alexandria and then look east and the sun will again be at your back. Another important thing to consider when birding Hunting Creek Bridge is the tide. Twice a day the tide rises and falls. During low tide the flats are exposed, but at high tide all the birds leave except for the handful of terns and gulls who roost on driftwood and pilings. Check the current and predicted tide here. To increase your chance of good birds, go birding before, after, or during a rain storm or hurricane. The rain and storm will displace and put down birds; it can lead to some very exciting finds! Lastly, a big fat asterisk should be put in front of many of the more outlandish records and checklists from this location. Every so often on the Potomac a species of floating vegetation called Hydrilla blooms, creating thick mats on the river. They draw in pretty much every shorebird, tern and wading bird in the area, leading to some amazing lists and records. It's unlikely that some of these birds would stop by if it wasn't for the mats. The last time this happened was in 2016.

At low tide to the west of the bridge, a long peninsula of mud is revealed in Hunting Creek. This side generally is the best for waders and also attracts a variety of shorebirds. This area is best viewed from the aforementioned George Washington Parkway Pedestrian Bridge, which is in Alexandria. It will put you about 20 feet directly above any shorebirds feeding on the mud below – a unique experience for sure! The main flats are to the east; looking out into the river these can be viewed from the Mt. Vernon Trail, a paved bike path. Year-round they attract huge flocks of gulls, which come here to roost and feed. Depending on the time of year, you will be looking for different things. During winter the flock swells up to several thousand birds, mostly Ring-Billed Gulls. Herring Gull and Great Black-Backed Gull are regular. Lesser Black-backed and Laughing Gull are annual winterers. Many other rarer species have been seen mixed in such as Glaucous, California, and Iceland. Also in winter, a large flock of Canada Geese numbering several thousand hangs out in and around the flats. Look for Cackling (which is annual), Ross’s, Snow, Greater White Fronted, and Barnacle Geese, all of which have been seen. 

You can look for shorebirds pretty much any time April through November, but August through September definitely has the peak diversity. Although they are not usually in high numbers, they make up for it with quality. Many of the shorebirds that stop here have a very coastal feel and are very rare this far inland. Overall, a whopping 32 species of shorebird have been spotted here. You can usually count on getting at least both Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Semipalmated Plover. Dunlin, Black-Bellied Plover, Willet, American Avocet, and Sanderling are annual or nearly so. Some of the more outstanding records include Sharp Tailed Sandpiper, Piping Plover, Ruff, Buff Breasted and Baird's Sandpiper, Red Knot, Hudsonian and Marbled Godwit, and Whimbrel. Most of the time shorebirds do not linger for long; they are migrating down the river and will stop to feed for the afternoon and then when the tide rises again, they will move on. During the warmer months Forster's Terns, Caspian Terns, and Laughing Gulls join the roosting flocks. During migration you might find Bonaparte's Gull or Common Tern. Also keep your eye on the river as Black Terns, Bank Swallows and other goodies can be spotted actively migrating. It is important to check the pilings to the northeast of the bridge, as they often have terns even at high tide.  Every so often Least and Royal Tern will also turn up, usually in May or August. In late summer look for waders; the Western side often gets large concentrations of Great Egrets and consistently gets Snowy Egret, which is quite uncommon in the county. Little Blue Heron is also regular. Cattle Egret, Tricolored Heron, both Night-Herons and both Gloosy and White Ibises have been seen. There are always Bald Eagles present and a pair of Ospreys nest in view of the bridge. In migration Peregrine Falcons and Merlins often stop to hunt. The scrubby trees and bushes around the bridge, mostly to the south, often attract warblers not only in migration but frequently in winter: Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Orange-crowned Warbler are all fairly regular in winter.

Accessibility: There is no parking along the road or at the nearby apartments. The best course is to park at the north parking lot of Dyke Marsh and walk an easy half-mile to the bridge along the Mt. Vernon Trail. Another option is to park at Jones Point Park; it is ¾ of a mile from the bridge.

eBird Hotspot: Hunting Creek Bridge

—Amiel Hopkins, April 2021

Vienna Reservoir

Vienna Reservoir is not a reservoir but a small retention pond bordered on all sides by busy roads and urban sprawl. The pond doesn't look like much, but it has attracted a host of unique birds hard to find elsewhere nearby. To bird this location, simply follow the flat paved path that circumnavigates it. Vienna Reservoir is surrounded on the edges by dense brushy vegetation that attracts both Yellow- and Black-crowned Night-Herons which like to roost in the brush during the day and feed at night. These two turn up at the pond at different times; Black-crowned usually in early spring and winter, and Yellow-crowned most commonly in late summer but also sometimes spring. They are most likely in post- and pre-nesting dispersal, respectively. The brushy edges also attract several pairs of nesting Green Herons. The north end of the pond is shallow and has small mudflats which have attracted waders and shorebirds. Snowy Egret, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Killdeer, Least Sandpiper, and Wilson's Snipe have all been recorded. Most notably, a pair of juvenile White Ibises spent about a month at the pond in 2020.  The south end is wider and deeper and attracts waterfowl in season. A flock of about 10 Hooded Mergansers always winters here, sometimes joined by Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, Wood Duck, and Pied Billed Grebe. 

Accessibility: Parking is difficult here. The best way is to park at Marshall Road Elementary School and walk across Nutley Street.

eBird Hotspot: Vienna Reservoir

—Amiel Hopkins, April 2021

Elklick Woodlands Natural Area Preserve

To start, it merits mention that terminology is a bit confusing here. The greater area, including several adjoining county parks, is one of the two largest contiguous park parcels in Fairfax County (the other being Huntley Meadows). In county and park authority circles, this overall area is known as Sully Woodlands.  Within this area, a specific habitat preserve is called Elklick Woodlands Natural Area Preserve, which is defined by its unique ecosystem type. According to the Elklick Preserve website, “[it] is one of the best remaining examples of a natural community known as a northern hardpan basic oak-hickory forest. It’s a globally rare community. This type of forest is characterized by white oak, pignut hickory, white ash, and redbud.”

The eBird hotspot “Elklick Woodlands Natural Area Preserve” is located at this preserve. On the other hand, eBird’s “Sully Woodlands” hotspot refers to a meadow area (surrounded by forest, and Elklick Run), located on the north end of this preserve. All of this, plus several adjoining parks, make up the larger parcel known to the county as Sully Woodlands.

The area surrounding the Elklick Woodlands hotspot is dominated by open forest with tall canopy, with a few edges (power line right-of-ways) providing good field habitats. One power line runs southwest from Pleasant Valley Road to connect with the larger power line (with a wider right-of-way) which runs northwest-southeast. At their junction there is a natural gas pumping station. The right-of-ways are operated by Dominion Power and are easy to walk, with gravel utility roads. The woods are also mostly free of undergrowth, and easy to walk. There are a few modest rivulets but no year-round water except for Elklick Run, which borders the Sully Woodlands hotspot area to the north. You can also reach Elklick Run further downstream, by following the northwest-southeast power line northwest from Pleasant Valley Road.

This is an excellent location for Great Horned and Barred Owls.  The woods have most of our woodpeckers, with only Red-headed missing. The right-of-way along the northeast-southwest power line is a good place for migrating birds – warblers, tanagers, etc. – in both spring and fall. Peregrine Falcon and American Kestrel have flown and perched along these power lines during the winter and migration seasons.  The wider fields under the larger northwest-southeast power line are fine sparrow habitat in the winter, with several records each of American Tree, Fox, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned, as well as more common species.

Historically known as the “Hunter-Hacor tract,” in the past this area has also recorded Bobolink, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Whip-poor-will, and American Woodcock. Turkeys thrive in these woods, and in summer, the woods are packed with Eastern Wood-pewees.

At the power line junction (with the gas pumping station), to the west there is a stand of pines and cedars. This is a reliable place for Red-breasted Nuthatch in the winter.

The fields southwest of the junction have had Yellow-breasted Chats and Blue Grosbeaks every summer.

Accessibility: The easiest access is to park on either shoulder of the road at 6002 Pleasant Valley Road, Centreville. There are wide gravel areas where the utility access road (under the power line) meets Pleasant Valley Road. Be careful not to block access to the gates on either side. You can walk either northeast or southwest along the right-of-way, and both can be productive. The southwest direction appears fenced, but the fence is only there to block vehicles. Just walk around the end of the fence, on either side, and rejoin the gravel road after a few steps through the woods. It’s a 0.5-mile walk to the aforementioned pumping station at (38.8544, -77.5020). In the northeast direction, it’s 0.6 miles from Pleasant Valley Road to reach Elklick Run. Trails from there continue southeast to connect with the large complex of trails in the Cub Run Stream Valley woods (which is also county parkland).

It is also possible to park on the cul-de-sac at 15575 Pebblebrook Dr, Centreville (38.8503, -77.4910), and walk southwest through the woods there, about 1/5 mile to reach the larger northwest-southeast power line right-of-way. From there, follow the right-of-way northwest about 2/3 mile to the pumping station.

There is also a gated county park entrance at the southeast end of Hollyspring Lane (off Bull Run Post Office Road, 38.8748, -77.5140). There is limited street parking here, enough for one or maybe two vehicles; don’t block the gate. This provides access via the western boundary of Elklick Woodlands Preserve.  There are only marginal informal trails here – bring a compass or GPS to navigate the overgrown fields and woods.

 Check the county deer control website for the most up-to-date information on hunting in the park. There is never any hunting on Sunday. Beware of ticks at this location.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Elklick Woodlands Natural Area Preserve

—Steve Johnson, March 2021

Rock Hill District Park

Rock Hill is a small county park dominated by a fenced dog run area, a large soccer field, and parking lot. The developed areas are surrounded by about 35 acres of fallow fields which are steadily growing in — there is not much “meadow” left, around the briars, small trees, and other vegetation. Bluebird houses and a very successful Purple Martin colony house guarantee plenty of activity in the breeding season.

There are a number of cedars and oaks around the park, which usually have Orchard Orioles, and sometimes nice migrants like Scarlet Tanagers. The north side of the park adjoins Pleasant Valley Golf Course, while the west half is wooded (covering the eponymous “rocky hill”). Those woods are very open and easy to walk through. The orange-blazed trail in the woods has an access at the southwest corner of the big soccer field.

There are three other nearby trails, not technically part of Rock Hill District Park itself, but frequently birded in tandem. One path leads from a small pullout on the sharp elbow turn on Old Lee Road (directions below). From there you can walk west along the south border of the golf course, and eventually reach the aforementioned woods. This shaded path continues — and is often muddy and flooded after rain - clear through westward to Pleasant Valley Road. Along this trail you can peek into the golf course, which often has surprisingly good bird activity; you can also bushwhack into the north side of Rock Hill.

From the same pullout location, you can also head north on a wooded trail between the golf course (to the west) and Cub Run stream (to the east). That trail eventually leads around the golf course.

The third adjacent trail runs along the east side of Cub Run, east of Old Lee Road (directions below). From there you can either walk north between Cub Run and Westfields High School; or walk south along Cub Run. The latter option follows an asphalt path south through a cleared area with bluebird nest boxes, and is frequently active with sparrows, phoebes, and others.

There is a year-round pond north of the soccer field, and small marshy areas both west and east of the parking area, and south of the dog run. The marshy areas and the pond always have Red-winged Blackbirds, and have attracted many flycatchers including Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, Acadian, Willow, and Least.

The fields have Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroats, Prairie Warblers, and Blue Grosbeaks every summer. Barred Owls are found here all year.

Besides the designated dog run, the soccer field is frequently used by dog owners with their dogs off leash (contrary to the posted sign) and also by law enforcement K-9 teams training their dogs.

Accessibility: The main parking lot has ample space. You can walk around the dog run and the two soccer fields with ordinary shoes (beware the fields sometimes have standing puddles after rain). There are only informal paths through or around the overgrown fields — to explore them you’ll want sturdy shoes or Wellingtons. The woods on the west half of the park are very open and easy to walk through. The best access to them is at the southwest corner of the big soccer field.

There is one informal, rough path along the north boundary of the park, i.e. the south boundary of Pleasant Valley Golf Course. You can park for that path at a small pullout at the northwest corner of Old Lee Road, at 38.8823, -77.4702. A second, larger parking area (with access to asphalt paths heading both north and south along the east side of Cub Run) is on Old Lee Road, at 38.8826, -77.4692.

Check the county deer control website for the most up-to-date information on hunting in the park. There is never any hunting on Sunday. Beware of ticks at this location.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Rock Hill District Park

—Steve Johnson, October 2020

Sully Woodlands

Sully Woodlands is one of two eBird hotspots located in Fairfax County’s largest tract of county parkland, Elklick Preserve.  The other eBird hotspot is Elklick Woodlands Natural Area Preserve, located about a mile to the south.  Both locations are distinct from the Sully Historic Site, another county park located 4 miles to the NE.

Sully Woodlands features around 100 acres of managed grass meadows with juniper (“red cedar”) edges, Elklick Run (a stream in the woods), and adjacent woods extending south about 2.5 miles.  

Fairfax County is currently (2018-20) managing the meadows with a goal to restore native vegetation and attract grassland species.  The project had quick success with Grasshopper Sparrows breeding during 2019, just in time for the last season of the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas.  The management includes periodic prescribed burns and intensive removal of invasive plants.  The meadows are home to a locally rare (in Virginia) native species of milkweed.

The area around the meadows turns up many good species during migration and is home to a good variety of winter residents including most winter sparrows and Northern Harriers.  In summer you will find many Prairie Warblers, and a few Yellow-breasted Chats and Blue Grosbeaks.  There are raptors there all year - Kestrels and Sharp-shinned Hawks during migration, and the common larger hawks year-round.  The Christmas Bird Count usually records Barred and/or Great-horned Owls here.  There is a small pond across Pleasant Valley Road which sometimes harbors both Great Blue and Green herons and various duck species during appropriate seasons.

The strategy to bird at Sully varies a lot, depending on the county’s management of the meadows.  When they have been mowed or bush-hogged, you can walk comfortably in sneakers.  Other times, you may want wellingtons or hip waders to wade through the tall grass.  Ideally, for a first visit I’d recommend starting from the west end of the gravel entrance road and make your way north to the tree line; then work that north edge of the meadow west to the stream.  For orientation, Pleasant Valley Road runs roughly north-south, along the east side of the park.

The northwest corner of the meadows often has bird activity; mixed flocks also appear regularly along the west side of the meadows and at the southwest corner.  Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks both nest in the woods along Elklick Run.  Rusty Blackbirds have shown up in seasonal pools in those woods, and turkeys are often seen here.  The hill south of the meadows offers geological interest, an outcropping of unusual rock types different from other parts of the county.

For sparrows and open field species, a better choice would be to head west or southwest from the road into the meadows to a slight rise near the center of the open area.  That gives you good visibility to much of the area.  The birding anywhere in the park can be fantastic during the week or so following a prescribed burn in the winter.  The burned sections are just full of birds in open view, gorging on the barbecue.  Otherwise, just follow the cleared or mown sections, concentrating on the edges.  Meadowlarks are often seen but are not known to nest here - yet!!

During both spring and fall migration, look for mixed flocks where Pleasant Valley crosses Elklick Run, south of the meadows area.

Sully Woodlands saw a big increase in visits and eBird reports when a Northern Shrike “Sully” took up residence in the meadows for 3 consecutive winters beginning in fall 2016.  The numbers of reports and species at this hotspot demonstrate the Patagonia rest stop effect.

Accessibility: Park outside the entrance, a gravel road on the west side of Pleasant Valley Road.  Be careful not to block the gated entrance here, because county maintenance and resources vehicles may need to be able to drive in at any time or day of the week.  There is plenty of room for cars to parallel park on the shoulders of Pleasant Valley Road.  Bring either wellingtons or hip waders.  When the county has burned or bush-hogged, you can walk those sections of the fields in ordinary shoes.  But when they haven’t, you’ll want good protection against ticks and/or briars.

Elklick Run can be accessed by heading straight west from the road, across the meadows - it is hidden behind the tree line to the west.  Or, you can park further south on the shoulder where P.V. Road crosses over the stream.  The vegetation there is high and the ground is marshy - you’ll probably want wellingtons at least, or even hip waders.

Check the county deer control website for the most up-to-date information on hunting in the park. There is never any hunting on Sunday. Beware of ticks at this location.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Sully Woodlands

—Steve Johnson

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Frying Pan Farm Park

Frying Pan Farm Park is a Fairfax County park that is mainly geared toward recreation, featuring a model farm and equestrian facilities, and hosting seasonal concerts and festivals. But it also boasts open fields, wetlands, mixed woods, a stream, and a nature trail winding through all these different habitats. The nature trail passes through mixed woods in the north and northwest sections of the park, and meanders by a stream (Frying Pan Branch of Horsepen Run); it is good for woodland birds. The wetland and ponds at the northeast corner (adjacent to Monroe Street) are good for herons, waterfowl and marsh birds. In the southeast and central parts of the park, the farmland and open fields are good for raptors, as well as sparrows and other seed-loving birds. A recommended route is to start from the Visitor Center parking lot, go northeast through open fields to the wetland, then follow the gravelly road west/northwest, turn right at the nature trail into the woods, and finally come out the end of the nature trail on the backside of the farm.

While many birds can be seen throughout the year, the best times are the migration season and winter. That said, summer is also a good time to see a variety of breeding birds. Year-round residents which breed in the park include Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls, as well as Eastern Bluebirds utilizing the many nesting boxes maintained by the Virginia Bluebird Society. During the spring it is possible to see migrating warblers of up to two dozen species, as well as vireos, thrushes, flycatchers, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, and Yellow-billed and (more rarely) Black-billed Cuckoos. Less frequently, migrants including American Pipit, Dickcissel, and some shorebirds drop in, while herons and egrets can be found at the wetland. Of particular note, flocks of Bobolinks often linger around the open field at the southeast corner in early May for up to a week or more. Summer is not to be neglected, and is a good time to see fledging Tree and Barn Swallows, Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Bluebirds, House Wrens, Barred Owls, Red-shouldered Hawks, and more. Fall brings more migrating birds, as well as arriving winter visitors such as Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Winter is a good time to see raptors including Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Cooper's Hawks (which prey on feral pigeons and House Sparrows around the barn), Merlin, Peregrine Falcon (likely nesting ones from nearby Reston), and roosting Barred Owls. In spring or summer, the occasional fly-over of Osprey augments the raptor list. Winter is also a good time to see woodpeckers of 6 species (except the Red-headed). Occasional or rare visitors have included Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Purple Finch and Sedge Wren.

Accessibility: The park is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., but closed New Year's Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are three parking lots: the main one (gravelly) is through the entrance on West Ox Road near the intersection with Centreville Road and is huge to accommodate horse trailers as well as passenger vehicles; a paved one is further east on West Ox Road at the visitor center and pavilion. There is also a small lot at the meeting house off Centreville Road. Although not official park policy, nearby neighbors frequently walk and bike in the park during after hours but enter at your own risk!

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Frying Pan Farm Park

—Howard Wu, August 2020

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Wolftrap Creek Boardwalk

Wolftrap Creek Boardwalk is a recently restored stretch of stream and woodland. Erosion has been heavily reduced, and most importantly for birds, it has been planted with many native plants. The best route for birding is to start from Fellini Court or Talahi Road and walk across the W&OD Trail to the park. By far the best time of year to bird is Spring when a variety of warblers and other migrants pass through. Some of the highlights include Blue-Winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Cape May Warbler, and Veery. In summer there is a Red Shouldered Hawk nest easily viewable from the trail. This also is a good spot for Rusty Blackbird (in winter) and Barred Owl in the swampy woods. Some other interesting birds that have been seen here are Merlin and flyover Tundra Swans. The park also borders a small pond on the Navy Federal Credit Union property that can be viewed from the trail. This has attracted Spotted Sandpiper and Belted Kingfisher.

Access: Open from dawn to dusk, parking at Fellini Court and Talahi Road. The trail is either pavement or wooden boardwalk and very well maintained.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority  

eBird Hotspot: Wolftrap Creek Boardwalk 

—Amiel Hopkins, August 2020

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Stream Valley Park

Located south of the intersection of Desale Street and Casmar Street, Stream Valley Park is a miniscule patch of woodlands just 1,000 feet in length. The habitat here consists of mature hardwoods like Sugar Maple, White Oak, and Red Maple. The undergrowth where it has not been chewed away by deer is dense patches of Viburnum and Greenbriar. The best time to bird is in Spring when you can usually pick up 4-5 warbler species and other neotropical migrants. In winter it is a good place to find Barred Owls. Most of the birds that stay for the summer are the typical suburban birds, but very interestingly a pair of Wood Thrushes have nested here for 2 years which gives hope for them surviving as urban areas expand.

Access: Stream Valley Park is open from dawn to dusk, and parking is available along Casmar Street. There is only one trail through the park, but it is very muddy and unmaintained. 

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Stream Valley Park

—Amiel Hopkins, August 2020

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Penderbrook Golf Club--Ponds No. 3 & 4

Winter birding here can be hit or miss for waterfowl, the main target for any visit to this location. This pond has proven better for dabblers than the nearby Penderbrook Golf Club--Pond No. 1. In December 2016 a Greater White-fronted Goose was seen mixed in with a flock of Canada Geese here. These ponds tend to freeze over relatively soon after sustained sub-freezing temperatures arrive.

Accessibility: Viewing of the pond here is recommended from the road only. On extremely poor weather, especially snowy, days it may be possible to walk the paved golf cart paths, however, please be aware that golfers frequently play this course in very poor weather. Free parking is available in the club house parking lot. The best area to scope from is along the road just before arriving at the club house parking lot.

Owner/Manager: Penderbrook Golf Club

eBird Hotspot: Penderbrook Golf Club--Ponds No. 3 & 4

—Nick Newberry

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Penderbrook Golf Club--Pond No. 1

Winter birding here can be a bit hit or miss for waterfowl, the main target for any visit to this location. The most productive conditions for birding here seem to be when the pond is about 50% frozen, however this is a somewhat rare condition for this pond that often goes from unfrozen to completely frozen rather quickly. A small flock of 4 Canvasback was seen here under the aforementioned conditions. Irrespective of the water conditions, a large flock of geese is often visible and worth scanning. The reading of goose leg bands on geese from a flock in another part of the golf course has shown that these flocks are a mix of local and migrant geese demonstrating the potential for vagrants to be mixed in with these golf course flocks. In fact, a Greater White-fronted Goose was found at Penderbrook Golf Club--Ponds No. 3 & 4 in December 2016.

Accessibility: Viewing of the pond here is recommended from the road only. On extremely poor weather, especially snowy, days it may be possible to walk the paved golf cart paths, however, please be aware that golfers frequently play this course in very poor weather. Free parking is available along S Penderbrook Drive.

Owner/Manager: Penderbrook Golf Club

eBird Hotspot: Penderbrook Golf Club--Pond No. 1

—Nick Newberry

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Waples Mill Meadow Park

While decent birding can be had year round from the trails, birding here is at its best during migration, especially in the fall. This park is one of very few wet meadow ecosystems in the area and attracts one of the most exciting species assemblages of any park in the county, rivaling Huntley Meadows in some regards.
From the parking lot there are a few options for how to proceed birding. Often, the few large trees in the field that are adjacent to the lot contain flocks of Eastern Bluebirds, Chipping Sparrows, American Goldfinches and many other species depending on the time of year, especially in the mornings before nearby traffic intensity has picked up. From there two basic options exist, to follow the edge of the pond on unofficial trails or to flank the meadow entirely and walk along the treeline on the east side of the park. If taking the pondside route, be careful to scan for waterfowl as soon as you are able since they will often flush at the sight of an approaching person. If you are careful and walk through the middle of the meadow out of view of the pond, the waterfowl is unlikely to flush. At the southern terminus of the pond is where the truly wet section of the meadow typically begins (this depends on beaver activity and recent rainfall).

Due to being such a unique habitat, it attracts many interesting birds, with notable records including: Cackling Goose (flyover), American Bittern, Little Blue Heron, American Woodcock (displaying at dusk in the spring), Olive-sided Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Common Raven (up to 9 at once, a county high count), Sedge Wren (multiple years, probably annual here), Marsh Wren, American Pipit (flyover), Mourning and Wilson's Warblers, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow (one of the most reliable places in the county), Bobolink (flyover), and White-winged Crossbill (during the winter invasion of 2011-12). The rest of the park offers more typical woodland birding available at other parks in the area, but can be really phenomenal on a good migration day. Highlights in the wooded areas include, Golden-winged, Wilson's and Blackburnian Warblers, Warbling Vireo, and nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Accessibility: This park is open dawn to dusk year round and is accessible via a small parking lot at the intersection of Fox Mill Rd. and Waples Mill Rd. Check the county deer control website for the most up-to-date information on hunting in the park. During deer hunting season the county encourages patrons to stay on official paths at county parks, unfortunately there none at this location. There is never any hunting on Sunday. Beware of ticks at this location. While there are no official paths at this park there is a network of unofficial paths, however prepare for high grass and standing water, as this is a wet meadow habitat.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Waples Mill Meadow Park

—Nick Newberry

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Difficult Run Stream Valley Park (Oakton)

While decent birding can be had year round from the trails, this park is at its best during spring and fall migrations. The majority of the park consists of forested floodplain with a perennial stream running through the middle, however a scrubby floodplain area near the Samaga Dr. entrance is a locally unique habitat that merits birding if visiting the park. While the scrubby floodplain can be seen from the trail, the best birding is found by going off trail, which is really only an option during spring, fall and winter due to aggressive vegetation during the summer months. Interesting finds in this area of the park include: Tundra Swans (flyover flock 12/28/2011), 135 Broad-winged Hawks (9/29/2011), Wilson's Snipe (3/18/2009, 10/25/2009), Merlin (11/15/2009, 9/21/2012), Least Flycatcher (5/19/2010), Marsh Wren (10/23/2011), Blue-winged x Golden-winged (hybrid) Warbler (9/7/2012), Grasshopper (5/1/2012), White-crowned (10/23/2011), and Lincoln's (annual fall visitor) Sparrows, and Rusty Blackbird. The rest of the park offers more typical woodland birding available at other parks in the area, but can be really phenomenal on a good migration day. Highlights in the wooded areas include, Golden-winged, Wilson's and Blackburnian Warblers, Warbling Vireo, and nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Accessibility: This park is open dawn to dusk year round and is accessible via the Cross County Trail. Trailheads can be found at the following locations: intersection of Miller Road and Miller Heights Road (parking for up to 3 vehicles); on Miller Heights Road between Lochinver Lane and Lakenheath Way (parking available for up to 4 vehicles); on Miller Heights Road between Lakenheath Way and Blue Roan Road (parking for 1-2 vehicles); along Vale Road between Valestra Circle and Leeds Road; and along Samaga Road between Adel Road and Oakton Mill Drive (parking for 1 vehicle). Check the county deer control website for dates for the current year's hunting, which encourages trail-goers to stay out of the woods to avoid crossing paths with bow hunters in treestands.

Owner/Manager: Fairfax County Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Difficult Run Stream Valley Park (Oakton)

—Nick Newberry

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