Today, I was fortunate enough to be invited to accompany a Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation employee on a hike to the Channels Natural Area Preserve. This is part of the new Channels State Forest on the Washington and Russell County border. We were also accompanied by Denise Matthews, a member of the Friends of the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve stewardship committee. I was able to bird along the way and identified 34 species within the preserve. Some of the highlights included - Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, a breeding plumage Yellow-rumped Warbler, a Dark-eyed Junco nest with 4 eggs, and a probable roost for a Barred Owl. A complete trip list follows: Turkey Vulture Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker |
