FreeLists / va-richmond-general / [va-richmond-general] Stony Run Trail, Ashland--heard golden-winged warbler, barred owl

["JANICE FRYE" <jjfdc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After a very pleasant Trolley Line field trip I got coffee and doubled back
to this little trailhead I saw on the way to Ashland Coffee (great espresso
milkshake, BTW).  Stony Run is at Ashcake Rd. and the railroad near the turn
to Bob and Linda's place.  Not much parking, and it looks dry and empty, but
turns out there is a creek the entire length and vernal pools everywhere.
Between the 2nd and 3rd side trails to the right I heard the warbler for
awhile but never saw it.  Could not pish it closer, and then a yard worker
nearby turned on what sounded like a wood chipper (does Murphy's Law have a
birding clause?).  Did not hear the bird after that noise stopped, so I took
the 3rd trail in and it doubles back on the main trail.  No more
golden-winged sounds, but I startled a barred owl.  It did not go far,
fluffed up and hooted at me (I hooted back, of course). There was a tree
hole nearby and I think there may be fledglings on the ground somewhere from
the way it acted, but whatever I said seemed to make it happy ;-)  Some of
the same stuff we saw at Bob and Linda's, with very close looks at a
waterthrush (teetering and yellow, I'm so confused!), black and white
warbler, red-eyed vireo, towhees all over the place, and a red-shouldered
hawk (sat and screamed at me, but I did not see a nest).  The trail is not
very long and ends in a neighborhood, but it makes a nice add-on or quick
walk, plus it was empty on a Saturday.  I don't get up that way much, but if
someone does see a golden-winged please post it.  I'm assuming it is just
passing through.  Thanks Bob and Linda for opening up your property for us!
Have a great day!

 

Jan

Richmond