FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] CHAS in Highland County

["David Hughes" <dlh710@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello, Virginia birders,

Fourteen members of the Cape Henry Audubon Society spent four enjoyable days
(07/04/02 - 07/07/02) in Highland County, with a brief excursion into Bath
County and with stops at Locust Springs coming and going. Having the extra
day gave us time to explore the high country more thoroughly and visit some
new places, too. Highland County is drought-stricken, but the dry, cool
weather made for pleasant birding all four days. Some birds were missing (no
Cuckoos or Golden-winged Warblers) and some other regulars were scarce
(Black-capped Chickadees and Bobolinks), but for the most part we did pretty
well. As a group, we saw or heard a total of 109 species over the four days.

Raptor highlights included Osprey at the summit of Paddy Knob (fish?), a
sub-adult Bald Eagle south of Hightown, an immature Golden Eagle over Blue
Grass (result of nesting or just a winter-holdover?), and a Broad-winged
Hawk harassing a Red-tailed Hawk at Locust Springs. A Barred Owl called at
Locust Springs, too.

Woodpeckers put on a great show, with Red-headed in several locations and
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers dominating the high ridges both on Allegheny Road
and at Paddy Knob. At least five male Sapsuckers were in a drumming chorus
at Slab Camp Run, just south of Locust Springs.

Eight species of flycatchers were found, including an Olive-sided on Paddy
Knob. Least Flycatchers were in several spots, not all of which were high
altitude. We found them on Paddy Knob and at Locust Springs, but also down
at Forks of Water, a lower elevation spot better known  for Willow
Flycatcher and Warbling Vireo.

Other high altitude notables include Red-breasted Nuthatches at Locust
Springs and Slab Camp Run, a singing Winter Wren on Paddy Knob, Hermit
Thrushes on high ridges all over the county, and Purple Finches singing both
at Locust Springs and at Slab Camp. A female Purple Finch was observed
feeding a fledgling at Locust Springs!

We found 19 species of warbler for the trip. At least five Yellow-rumped
Warblers were seen and heard at Locust Springs. Unfortunately, they were all
adults and we could find no direct evidence of their having nested there;
but our suspicions remain high. Mourning Warblers were quite easy to see on
Paddy Knob. One male perched high in a bare tree for a good five minutes,
singing and preening. He was actually in West Virginia, on the
clear-cut-slope just south of the trail up to the old fire tower site. As a
matter of fact, most of the prime Mourning Warbler habitat on Paddy Knob is
in West Virginia, so strict State listers beware.  Of course, the old  fire
tower site is in Virginia, as is the next road south which runs down slope
to the east. Both sites are still good for Mourning Warblers and hopefully
will remain so for a few years to come.

Good birding!

David L. Hughes
Field Trips Leader
Cape Henry Audubon Society

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