VA Birders,
Today, March 6th. My wife Lynda and I located two Osprey nests a couple of
miles west of Grundy on the Levisa River. This is a first for Buchanan
County. Ospreys have been seen along the river for the last few years and
last year Ed Talbott III saw one feeding a fledgling. We knew the nests had
to be nearby. Ed and I had searched for them last year but the leaves were
just too thick.
The nests were found when Lynda and I went looking for Red-necked Grebes
within the county. We visited several ponds and found only 3 Wood Ducks and
1 Canada Goose. Driving back along the river we decided to look for Great
Blue Heron nests, which also have not been found within the county but are
believed to be here.
Thanks to Lynda's sharp eyes she spotted the first Osprey nest on the south
side of the river, several hundred feet upon the mountain. It was located in
the top forks of a large deciduous tree. Judging from the size of the nest
it looks to be several years old, since Ospreys add more material each year.
We quickly placed a call to Ed Talbott III, Vice President of the Buchanan
County Bird Club, via cell phone to give him the good news.
After lunch we drove back down the river, where Lynda sighted a second nest
across the river from Hardees less than a quarter mile east of the first
nest.( I knew I had a good reason for marrying her.) It also was several
hundred feet up the mountain on the south side of the river. This nest was
in a large deciduous tree as well, but was only about halfway up the tree in
a huge fork. This nest was large but slightly smaller than the first.
To top off a great birding day we observed a Common Raven flying and gliding
along the vertical, terraced, rock face of the mountain, which has been
removed to make room for the new town of Grundy. This is the first time I
have ever seen one near the town. I think it may be the high stone mountain
face that attracted it. The Raven was being harassed by two Crows that kept
dive bombing it. It would be nice to think that Ravens might become a common
sight riding the wind above the new town, but considering that Ravens
usually nest at 3000 ft. or higher and Grundy's elevation is less than 1000
ft. it is doubtful.
Enjoy the birds,
Roger Mayhorn
Grundy, VA
Buchanan County
mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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