[bcbirdclub] Sparrow Day in Breaks

  • From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:56:29 -0400

Except for a frosty start to the morning Sparrow Day at the home of David and 
Susan Raines in Breaks, VA this past Saturday was a perfect fall day for 
birding. Ten birders turned out for the event. The sun striking the golds of 
hickory and maple foliage and the reds of sumac with a background of azure blue 
sky made for a beautiful setting for birding. Susan got everyone started off 
right with hot coffee or hot cider and pumpkin muffins, and David kept everone 
warmed up with a fire in the fire pit that all gathered round. The group birded 
the morning at the Raines place, then after a filling and tasty lunch moved to 
a the nearby Epling property before continuing to the Breaks Park to finish the 
day. 

39 species were counted for the day. (complete list below) Three hawk species 
were found - Red-shouldered, Broad-winged and Red-tailed. A single Blue-headed 
Vireo was found singing and three mimid species were seen - Gray Catbird, 
Northern Mockingbird and Brown Thrasher. There were lots of Bluebirds and 
Robins, but unfortunately the Gray-cheeked, Swainson's and Wood Thrushes had 
moved on. One Winter Wren was found and of the the 3 warbler species seen, the 
44 Yellow-rumps far outnumbered the 2 Cape Mays and the single Tennessee 
Warbler. Including Towhees 7 sparrow species were logged - Chipping, Field, 
Lincoln's, Song, Swamp and White-throated. A lone Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
suddenly appearing in a sumac bush among a flock of sparrows was a pleasant 
surprise.

Those attending were Don & Dawn Carrier (and dog Maddy), Tom Hunter, Roger & 
Lynda Mayhorn, Marie Miller, David and Susan Raines, Ed & Mary Talbott, Jerry 
Thornhill and Yun Chen, a Chinese student to whom Marie Miller is teaching 
English.  

Many thanks to David and Susan for hosting the day and for their hard work in 
preparing for it. Those who were there left with great memories of a very 
colorful and enjoyable day, one we can all think back to when the snow is 
falling this winter.

Roger Mayhorn
(More photos to follow soon)

 

39 species 

Black Vulture 4

Turkey Vulture 6

Red-shouldered Hawk 2

Broad-winged Hawk 1

Red-tailed Hawk 2 (1 ad, 1 juv)

Mourning Dove 6

Red-bellied Woodpecker 3

Northern Flicker 5

Pileated Woodpecker 2

Eastern Phoebe 2

Blue-headed Vireo 1

Blue Jay 7

American Crow 10

Carolina Chickadee 6

White-breasted Nuthatch 2

Tufted Titmouse 3

Carolina Wren 6

Winter Wren 1

Eastern Bluebird 16

American Robin 24

Gray Catbird 1

Northern Mockingbird 2

Brown Thrasher 1

European Starling 11

Cedar Waxwing 22

Tennessee Warbler 1

Cape May Warbler 2 (1m, 1f)

Yellow-rumped Warbler 65

Eastern Towhee 8

Chipping Sparrow 18

Field Sparrow 1

Liincoln's Sparrow 1

Song Sparrow 14

Swamp Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 7

Northern Cardinal 16

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1

Red-winged Blackbird 2

House Finch 4

JPEG image

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  • » [bcbirdclub] Sparrow Day in Breaks - Roger Mayhorn