Extralimital - rarity in Fairfax County

[Scott Baron]

Hello birders and Happy New Year!

If you have not yet heard, a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL was found at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA on January 1. See ebird checklists for details. If this bird darts out over the Potomac to catch an insect, it would be a Maryland record.

It's been at and a little north of the north parking lot. This little songbird species is native to Eurasia, with a range that stretches from Finland east to the Pacific.

Great Falls Park (Virginia) is a national park with an entrance fee.

I wonder if "Mega" is an overused term in birding but this certainly rates as a Mega!

If you go, good luck and as always, please respect the habitat and the birds. 

[Scott Baron]

The Red-flanked Bluetail continues today at Great Falls Park in Fairfax County, VA. For a few minutes it was on an island just off the Virginia shoreline, in Montgomery County, Maryland!

See ebird for details.

Scott Baron 

Damascus, MD

[Mary Maxey]

Hi all, 

I am headed to Great Falls to look for the bird. I am not that familiar with the park. I have looked at some lists in ebird. Can anyone tell me where to park and go to see the bird?

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[James Tyler Bell]

Once you enter the park, drive north as far as you can. Almost immediately you will enter the area where it's being seen today on either side of the path. There's a small island that is solidly in Maryland but everything else is Virginia. Basically, look for people looking for the bird.

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[Robert Parsons]

Remember it is the Virginia side of Great Falls.    They don’t take cash—only credit cards or passes.  

Go through the entrance booth and just head straight until you come to a gate.  Park in the North River Trail parking lot—-to the right.   You can ask the park ranger how to get to this parking area.   

Walk about 50 yards up the trail.  Here are some more details from eBird reports.

Comments: "Continuing rarity.

Photo. Bird approximately here, along the western edge of the Potomac, on small area of land that runs east of the canal. (39.0039276,

-77.2557849) Plenty of parking at N River Trail Parking lot, then hike north on N River Trail about 200 feet

  Probably be a group of birders there to help.  About 30 this morning.   Great bird. 

Robert 

Robert E. Parsons

On Jan 4, 2026, at 13:09, Mary Maxey <maximo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Gail Mackiernan]

Also, the ranger at the entry kiosk yesterday knew all about it and gave accurate directions 

Gail Mackiernan

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[Gail Mackiernan]

And it is $20 - thankfully I had my America the Beautiful (“Golden Age”) pass - one perk for getting old!

Gail Mackiernan

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