There must have been quite a nice bird migration last night. James R. Park was
memorable this morning, e.g. four Scarlet Tanagers in the same tree at the 42nd
st. parking lot. There were also several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, a tree stump
with at least eight Catbirds around it accompanied by an Ovenbird, 2
Black-throated Blues, and a Hermit Thrush (this all in one spot). Walking west
from the 42nd St lot (which I seldom do) revealed many thrushes (only missed
Gray-cheeked/Bicknells). Also had both orioles, Magnolia, Blackpoll, and
multiple Parula, Yellow, Black-and-White, E. Kingbird, Indigo Bunting. So
hopefully the weather will not cooperate for these birds and keep them around
tonight. You should get out tomorrow a.m.!
Paul Bedell
________________________________
From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Ellison Orcutt
<mr.ellyo@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2016 3:33 PM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Richmond Audubon Society mailing list
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Capitol Square; Richmond City
Hello birders,
After getting a report of a Black-throated Blue Warbler clinging to the outside
wall on the 16th floor of our office building my suspicions arose that downtown
Richmond may have acted as migrant "trap" last night.
So I spent my lunch break at the State Capitol grounds and enjoyed a surprising
number of migrants. The grounds of the Capitol are kept very clean but they do
have a patch of large oaks and some mulched azalea patches. Otherwise this
location is small, surrounded by high-rises, busy with foot and vehicle
traffic, and not very attractive to resident birds. Highlights in the mulched
areas included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, WOOD THRUSH, and multiple OVENBIRDs.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a small collection of singing warblers included
multiple BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERs. CATBIRDs were abundant but the lack of
habitat sent many of them to the treetops to search for caterpillars.
Nothing amazing by regional standards but, given the location, a respectable
list.
Good birds,
Ellison
Virginia State Capitol Grounds, Richmond City, Virginia, US
Apr 27, 2016 1:10 PM - 1:55 PM
21 species
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 4
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 5
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) 2
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1
Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 16
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 17 Abundant.. likely more. Many
active in tree tops. One pair working hard to arrange a very long twig as if
selecting a nesting spot.
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 8
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 3
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) 3
Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (Setophaga coronata coronata) 28
White-crowned Sparrow (Dark-lored) (Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys/oriantha)
1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 9
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 20
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 5
--
Ellison Orcutt
Birder/Naturalist
Richmond, Va
Cell: (804) 339-6976<tel:%28804%29%20339-6976>
Mr.EllyO@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:Mr.EllyO@xxxxxxxxx>
