Birders and casual nature lovers alike will be intrigued by this bird, rarely seen in the US, which is now flocking to Great Falls Park in Northern Virginia. Typically, the red-flanked bluetail inhabits regions from Siberia and northeastern China to western Russia and parts of Scandinavia.
In the last couple of years, the bird has traveled further east and west, now being found in other US states like Alaska and California, along with British Columbia and Mexico.
Let’s dive into the specifics. Where have they been seen at Great Falls Park? According to their website, there’s one bird between the river and the steep hillside on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, above the upper/northern parking lot.
So why are they in Virginia? The answer is not exactly clear. However, some possibilities include a change in their genetic makeup, tailwinds that directed them east, or a navigation error.
If you’ve had the chance to see the bird, we’d love to see your photos.
