I went birding this morning in far SE Pulaski county VA, near the Boy Scout's
Camp Ottari. I started out on some of the local mountains, then made my way
down along Big Laurel Creek for over a mile. A lot of Blue-headed Vireos and
Pine Warblers were seen on the mountains, and even a Ruffed Grouse. Found 3
Louisiana Waterthrushes and 4 Winter Wrens along the creek. I made my way back
up through some abandoned fields and through some regenerating coniferous
stands. Here's my checklist of today's hike:
Birds-
Pine Warblers- 6+
Carolina Chickadees- 9
Wild Turkey- 1 (male heard)
Carolina Wren- 4
Tufted Titmouse- 3
American Crow- 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1
Rufous-sided Towhee- 2
Northern Cardinal- 4
Blue-headed Vireo- 11
Ruffed Grouse- 1
White-throated Sparrow- 1
Blue Jay- 5
Field Sparrow- 3
White-breasted Nuthatch- 3
Brown-headed Cowbird- 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2
Common Raven- 1
American Goldfinch- 1
Brown Creeper- 1
Downy Woodpecker- 3
Winter Wren- 4
Louisiana Waterthrush- 3
Red-tailed Hawk- 1
Canada Goose- 6
Wildflowers-
Bloodroot
Bluets
Marsh Blue Violet
Periwinkle
Round-lobed Hepatica
Grape Hyacinth
2 Unkown species
Mammals-
Fox Squirrel- 3
Gray Squirrel- 1
Tracks of raccoons and deer, and scat from a wildcat were also found.
Many of the trees are budding, especially Yellow Poplars. Downy Juneberries
and apples are blooming as well. Creek level, along with Little River's water
level, is way down. A good rain event would help things around here, and
hopefully wash out the gullies.
Anthony D. Phillips
Snowville, VA
