All – after reading Marshall Faintich’s report that the Red Crossbills were
still present on Briery Branch Rd where it crosses the VA-WVa border, I decided
to head up/over there to find them. The crossbills, I counted 25, were found
at the gravel road where Rd 924 crosses the State line. The crossbills would
arrive and leave on a regular basis – it seemed that about every 20 mins they
would return to the road. It was clear they were eating the clay/dirt on the
road. The flock contained males in breeding plumage, females, and immature
males who were molting into breeding plumage. In addition to the crossbills,
there were Pine Warblers, Juncos, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, 2
Black-capped Chickadees, Robins, and Titmice along the mountain road.
I have posted photos of the Red Crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Pine
Warblers on my Flickr site if you are interested.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmibiology/
Dick Rowe
VMI Biology
