Correction: The Peregrine nest was reported to be near Little Stony Man
- DKG
-----Original Message-----
From: va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Kurt Gaskill
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 5:55 PM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-bird] Shenandoah NP, July 3, 2005
VA BIRDers,
I joined up with Linda Millington, who is between plane flights, to visit a
few locations this morning at Shenandoah NP going south from the Thornton
Gap (Rt 211) entrance. We spent most of our time visiting the turn outs
above 3000 feet and walked the trails up Stoney Man and Hawksbill, both a
bit over 4000 feet in elevation. Today's highlights were:
Peregrine Falcons on Hawksbill - at least 12 were hacked at this site in
2005; 11 are known are believed to still be in the park. We observed 3
through the low cloud ceiling today. During our discussion with the
volunteer at the top, we learned that 2 Peregrines which had returned from
last year have built a nest and hatched young near Little Hawksbill. I will
get confirmation of this, but, if true, it represents the second nesting in
the park in recent history. The last successful nesting was about 10 years
ago.
Winter Wren - one was singing along a steeply descending stream near the
Pinnacles Overlook and a second jumped up on a nearby snag.
Canada Warbler - a male being extremely agitated near the trail from Lower
Hawksbill. This fellow would go back and forth from one side, to the
middle, and then to the other. For several minutes. I believe its
repetitive behavior qualifies for distraction display which would confirm
breeding.
Here is the list of some highlight species observed this morning.
Cooper's Hawk 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Peregrine Falcon 3
Chimney Swift 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Blue-headed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 20
Common Raven 4, one eating the Peregrine's dinner
Winter Wren 2
Veery 17 (we did not have a chance to visit Limberlost Trail which is a
Veery stronghold)
Cedar Waxwing 18, every turnout had at least one
Chestnut-sided Warbler 8
Black & White Warbler 4
Am. Redstart 16
Ovenbird 8
LA Waterthrush 2
Hooded Warbler 7
Canada Warbler 1
Dark-eyed Junco 16
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Breeding confirmations were: Downy WP (FL), Red-eyed Vireo (CF), American
Crow (juvie with adults), Chestnut-sided Warbler (FS), Am. Redstart (FL),
Canada Warbler (DD?), E. Towhee (FL), Chipping Sparrow (FL, CF), DE Junco
(FL), Rose-breasted Grosbeak (FL), Indigo Bunting (CF), and Brown-headed
Cowbird (FL, independent).
Kurt Gaskill
