Hello Everyone,
I birded Thompson WMA from 5:30 to 8:00 this morning, hoping for Kentucky
Warbler, which had somehow eluded me this year until today, and Alder
Flycatcher, which did not happen. It was chillier and windier than I was
expecting at the top of what is appropriately named Freezeland Road, which
runs up the mountain from Linden. I had to hike the Trillium Trail to find
birds, who were seeking shelter from the wind in that area. There were lots
of good birds including several CERULEAN, BLACKBURNIAN, and other warblers.
I found two KENTUCKY WARBLERS right along the road about a half mile south
of Trillium Trail near a large pull-off that is also part of the WMA. Views
were excellent as they flew back and forth in front of my car, giving their
loud chip notes and singing frequently. See the complete list below for
Upper Thompson - 50 spp.
I later drove up Leeds Manor Road a few miles to the east, which is one of
my favorite birding drives in the state. This is where I had an Alder
Flycatcher last year on the same date, but no repeat this time. Top birds
include a singing YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, WARBLING VIREO, and two KENTUCKY
WARBLERS and a BLUE GROSBEAK at the fishing pond area. While near the top
by a farm pond, I heard a sound coming from some thick vegetation I knew I
had heard before, but just couldn't remember from where. I would describe
it as a cat-like drawn-out wail and unforgettable. I listened to Stokes on
the drive back to Arlington and heard what produced the sound - RUFFED
GROUSE! I did some research and found that this sound is what hens make
when they are alarmed. That's a nice bonus bird for the day. I feel pretty
strongly that I heard the two-note call of a DICKCISSEL while driving, but I
didn't hear it well, so not enough to put on the list. It never called
again, so that's that. Complete Leeds Manor list below - 68 spp.
Leeds Manor Road ends near Sky Meadows SP, so I visited the main entrance
area to tic the RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS for the day and didn't have to drive
far. Three were chasing each other in the trees just beyond the pay
station. I also saw a GREAT EGRET flying overhead toward the Bridle Trail
area.
Fun morning!
Jay Keller,
Arlington
UPPER THOMPSON
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 6
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 6
Acadian Flycatcher 3
Eastern Phoebe 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Yellow-throated Vireo 6
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 8
Carolina Chickadee 18
Tufted Titmouse 12
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 4
Swainson's Thrush 3
Hermit Thrush 2
Wood Thrush 20
American Robin 1
Gray Catbird 18
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 6
Northern Parula 5
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blackburnian Warbler 2
Blackpoll Warbler 2
Cerulean Warbler 8
Black-and-white Warbler 4
American Redstart 15
Worm-eating Warbler 2
Ovenbird 12
Louisiana Waterthrush 3
Kentucky Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 1
Scarlet Tanager 18
Eastern Towhee 22
Chipping Sparrow 12
Field Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 25
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4
Indigo Bunting 8
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 8
Baltimore Oriole 1
American Goldfinch 15
LEEDS MANOR ROAD
Canada Goose 22
Wood Duck 2
Ruffed Grouse 1
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 18
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 15
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Acadian Flycatcher 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
White-eyed Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 10
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 8
Carolina Chickadee 15
Tufted Titmouse 10
Carolina Wren 5
House Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 12
Swainson's Thrush 3
Wood Thrush 7
American Robin 14
Gray Catbird 9
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 10
Northern Parula 2
Yellow Warbler 5
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 2
Yellow-throated Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 2
Worm-eating Warbler 1
Ovenbird 5
Louisiana Waterthrush 2
Kentucky Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 8
Scarlet Tanager 2
Eastern Towhee 17
Chipping Sparrow 22
Field Sparrow 8
Song Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 25
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 16
Red-winged Blackbird 31
Eastern Meadowlark 16
Common Grackle 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Orchard Oriole 5
Baltimore Oriole 2
American Goldfinch 45
House Sparrow 3
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