[va-bird] Eagles, Rough-legs, Cackling Gesse-Highland/Augusta

Despite winds howling out of the West/Northwest, intermittent snow squalls, and 
bitterly cold temps, Rexanne Bruno, Adam D'Onofrio, John Fox and I enjoyed a 
great day of birding in Highland and Augusta Counties Sunday Dec 19.
Best birds were 5 Golden Eagles (4 juv. 1 second year) and 2 light phase 
Rough-legged Hawks along Rt 644 and 642 in the Blue Grass Valley area.  We also 
had 2 imm Bald Eagles along Rt 644 and lots of Red-tails and Ravens everywhere.

We made numerous visits to the Beverage's feeders in Monterey as well as the 
various feeders along Rt 250 in McDowell.  However, we could not pick up any 
Evebeaks, x-bills, or redpolls.  The feeders in McDowell held tons of 
goldfinch, a few Purple Finch, many Black-capped Chickadee, and 1 very obliging 
Hairy Woodpecker.  The beverages feeders produced several more Black-caps, 2 
Red-breasted Nuthatch, and another obliging Hairy. We also made the obligatory 
stop at the hairpin curve along Rt 250 west of the Augusta/Highland County line 
but the Red Crossbills were once again not playing.

On the way back home, we stopped along Bell's Lane off Rt 275 north of 
Staunton.  Here we had several large flocks of Canada Geese with 3 Richard's 
form Cackling Geese mixed in with them.  We scanned the fields until we nearly 
ran out of light but saw no Short-eared Owls ( we did have 3 N. Harrier here).

The Golden Eagle was #338 for me this year and state birds for Rexanne, Adam, 
as well as lifer for John. The Rough-legs were also new on the state list for 
Adam and John.  

Watching three young Golden Eagles wheeling through the snow filled sky less 
than 75 feet away made this trip to "Virginia's Little Switzerland" one of the 
most memorable ever.

Good Birding and Merry Christmas to all,

Mike Boatwright--
Amherst, VA

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