Hi all,Vic Laubach and I birded throughout Augusta and Rockingham Counties
today and ended with 55 species including 9 raptors (Black & Turkey Vultures,
Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed
Hawk, American Kestrel, and a beautiful Merlin on Badger Rd).
We started at sunrise on Strickley Rd (NE Augusta) and had 9 Horned Larks and a
flock of 110 flyover American Robins. Up on Nicholson Rd (Rockingham) we found
the 2 Lapland Longspurs among a flock of 60+ Horned Larks (about 200 yards
north of the railroad tracks, in a field on the west side of the road) and
several American Pipits. Then traveling along Model Rd we added a beautiful
adult Bald Eagle, 20 Cedar Waxwings, and 3 Savannah Sparrows.
We then headed west to Badger Rd (Augusta) where we found the Merlin which gave
a nice flyby while in pursuit of prey, and a flock of 30 American Pipits.
Down in the Swoope Area we had 3 Pied-billed Grebes, 2 Cooper's Hawks, 1 adult
Bald Eagle, 10 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Wilson's Snipe, 19 Fish Crows, 9 Common
Ravens, 12 Horned Larks, and 2 American Pipits. Along Bell's Lane near
Staunton we found a few waterfowl (8 Gadwall, 5 American Wigeon, and 4 Hooded
Merganser) in the pond viewed from the top of the hill.
Heading back towards New Hope at the end of the day we added an adult
Red-shouldered Hawk along Eakle Rd, and a juvenile Northern Harrier along
Humbert Rd, both of which gave really nice views.
Thanks to Vic for a really fun day of gorgeous weather and excellent birds.
Good Birding to all,Gabriel MapelNew Hope
