VA Birders,
Today with the rain gone I had 44 species in and around my yard. I came
close to breaking my record of 47.
The morning action started when I stepped out of the house about 7:15 and
heard the low guttural sound of a crow, not a caw. I scanned the neighbor's
field for the source and saw a Cooper's Hawk being chased by two crows.
Moments later I saw another Cooper's near the first. Then I saw a third
Cooper's. For about an hour the crows and the 3 hawks took turns chasing
each other. Once I thought one Cooper's was going to nail a crow, but no
luck. As they were doing their thing a Gray Fox trotted out of that field
and crossed the road into mine. It soon disappeared into the woods.
Scarlet Tanagers seemed to be everywhere. The total for the morning would be
15. The topmost branch of each tree seemed to be decorated with a Tanager.
They were playing flycatcher, darting out to grab insects from the air. Even
a flock of Starlings were into the act, which seemed uncharacteristic for
them. The real flycatchers, an Eastern Phoebe and 4 Eastern Wood Pewees,
were darting from the outer branches of the walnut trees to get their share.
8 species of Warblers made their appearance through the morning. The first
were the Tennessees.They would total 7 throughout the morning. They are
almost always the first warblers seen here in the morning, possibly because
they outnumber the other warbler species.
Next came the Yellow-throated Warbler near the electrical pole. For some
reason this species has an affinity for the electrical components and the
pole itself. This has been the pattern for them here for the last few years.
Next came a small yellow bird. Even though it would be early in the season,
I thought at first I had a Wilson's, but it turned out to be a female Yellow
Warbler. I was surprised to see one this late. Something else that made this
bird unique was the black crescent shaped necklace on its breast. It wasn't
like that of a Canada, but a solid black crescent. After looking at the
video I took, I think the bird had some type of injury or had gotten against
something that colored its feathers. A Blackburnian put in a short
appearance in the top of the walnut tree. Next came a Cape May in the top of
the apple tree. Shortly a Chestnut-sided was hopping about in a locust tree.
A Palm Warbler searched about in the grass with tail bobbing. Later two
Magnolia Warblers showed up feeding on the tops of flowering weeds. One fed
within four feet of me, but my video camera kept focusing on the background.
I did manage to get some good video later.
A first year American Redstart was feeding among the soft white blossoms of
the Virgin Bower Vine that climbs among the shrubs.
Three Swainson's Thrushes made their respective pauses in the yard before
heading for the deeper woods.
1 White-eyed and 1Blue-headed Vireo had a turn in the walnut tree. 2
Red-eyed Vireos searched among the leaves of a maple tree, trying to
disguise themselves as Tennessees.
Finally a Broad-winged Hawk caught my eye as it circled gaining altitude
before heading in a southerly direction.
It was definitely a very good day.
Good Birding,
Roger Mayhorn
Buchanan County
Here is the complete list for those interested:
American Crow 6
American Goldfinch 5
American Redstart 1 (immature male)
American Robin 7
Barn Swallow 1
Blackburnian Warbler 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Cape May Warbler 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 3
Cedar Waxwing 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Coopers Hawk 3
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Bluebird 6
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Towhee 5
Eastern Wood Pewee 4
European Starling 25
Gray Catbird 4
House Finch 4
Magnolia Warbler 2
Mourning Dove 6
Northern Cardinal 5 (2 females)
Northern Flicker 5
Palm Warbler 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Scarlet Tanager 15
Song Sparrow 2
Swainsons Thrush 3
Tennessee Warbler 7
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Wild Turkeys 9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Yellow Warbler 1 (female)
Eastern Gray Squirrel 6
Gray Fox 1
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