[va-richmond-general] Re: Flowerdew Hundred/James River NWR east of Richmond, Mon 5/4/2009

I have only heard about barred owls hunting worms from Roger Mayhorn before
this.  When they are perched above the trail studying those wet areas
intently at The Wetlands in JRPS maybe that is what they are doing?  I
wonder if it reflects a lack of other prey (seems unlikely with all the
frogs, squirrels and birds there) or if the worms are just really easy,
numerous, and require no prep time before consumption?  If I remember
correctly, Roger says that only one of the owls he sees eats worms, so maybe
hunger is not a factor.  They never get boring.  Sounds like you had a great
trip!

 

Jan

Richmond 

 

  _____  

From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rachel Echols
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:57 AM
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Flowerdew Hundred/James River NWR east of
Richmond, Mon 5/4/2009

 

I drove through the James River NWR at Flowerdew Hundred Rd yesterday.  At
the swamp near the intersection, notable birds were:

 

Red-headed Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Barn Swallow

Indigo Buntings everywhere

Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers

Blue Grosbeak

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Great-crested Flycatcher

White-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (male)

Ovenbird

Orchard Oriole

 

While driving through the forested area, I came upon a BARRED OWL perched
along the road.  I watched him hunt worms.  Here is a link to pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlechols/3503607351/

 

Other notable birds seen from the road:

 

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Summer Tanagers (male and female)

Black and White Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

 

Also, at home yesterday I had these in the yard:

 

Yellow Warbler

Swainson's Thrush

American Redstart

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Cedar Waxwing

 

Rachel Echols

Chester, VA

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