Paddy's Knob - Highland County (FR #55) - Saturday, June 11, 2005
Arrived by 9 a.m. behind small group visiting from Raleigh, NC. Others that
arrived later in the morning was group from Roanoke and a contingent of
birders from NoVA, including Val Kitchens.
Spring certainly comes later along the western mountain range. It was
non-stop activity well into early afternoon.
MOURNING WARBLER (at least 3 male) were singing incessantly throughout the
morning and early afternoon in one small area. One in particular seemed to
prefer end of dead branch of large tree standing alone down the hillside
about 4.1 miles from Rt. 84 on FR #55). After listening to them all
morning, how did they earn the name "mourning"?
The "chebec, chebec, chebec" helped to identify the many LEAST FLYCATCHER.
Just in this one small area, highlights included:
LEAST FLYCATCHER
EASTERN WOOD PEEWEE
MOURNING WARBLER
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER
CERULEAN WARBLER
AMERICAN REDSTART
VEERY - at least 3 in this one spot, both heard and seen
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK
SCARLET TANAGER
I also observed a possible NORTHERN GOSHAWK. I took notes and in process of
having several individuals review. The bird was circling high overhead.
There was no mistaking the long, accipiter tail; large, heavy-bodied just
too big for Cooper's. Wings were not shaped nor long enough for Northern
Harrier. Bird was in heavy molt noted by quite a few missing flight
feathers. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get an image before it disappeared
moving SW.
Web links below to few pics of the day:
MOURNING WARBLER
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/Gallery_pages/MourningWarbler_Gallery.htm ;
LEAST FLYCATCHER
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/Gallery_pages/LeastFlycatcher_Gallery.htm ;
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
brenda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures."
Photo journal including Birds of Virginia: www.birdsofvirginia.com
<http://www.birdsofvirginia.com/>
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