Hello, Virginia birders,
Last weekend, twelve members of the Cape Henry Audubon Society spent parts
of four days (Jan 27-30) birding in Highland County. For the most part, the
weather was ideal; although we did have to dodge a few showers on Sunday.
Overall, we were successful in finding most of our target species. We did
not find any species that have not already been reported from the county
this year, so this report is merely to re-emphasize the goodies that are
there.
We found GOLDEN EAGLES in several locations throughout the county, on all
four days. The slopes of Snowy Mountain, northwest of Blue Grass, produced
the most sightings. On Monday morning, three immature Golden Eagles were
seen flying together over Route 644, right near the WVA line. Single
sightings and a double were also made on Friday and Saturday between Blue
Grass and Hightown. On Sunday morning, another immature Golden was soaring
over the Augusta/Highland Co. line, observed from the overlook at the
Confederate Breastworks, and on Monday afternoon, two young Golden Eagles
were seen flying low over Rte. 614, NE of McDowell. We also found BALD EAGLE
in two spots: one over Snowy Mountain, and one south of Monterey along Rte.
220, near the fish hatchery. (!) Two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen, one
light-phase, one dark, in the Blue Grass Valley. Other raptors included
numerous RED-TAILED HAWKS, one RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and several AMERICAN
KESTREL. Strangely enough, we did not find any vultures within the county
this trip. COMMON RAVENS were common, but not yet paired up or vocal.
Since we arrived in the county at various times, only half of our group was
successful in seeing the RED CROSSBILLS. One party spotted them feeding in
the pine cones above the hairpin turn. Another party found them in the
gravel along the road there. MY party only got to admire the habitat! :-(
The feeders in McDowell produced PURPLE FINCHES outnumbering the HOUSE
FINCHES, along with at least two PINE SISKINS and many AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES.
South of McDowell, at Clover Creek, we found more Purple Finches and some of
us got a glimpse at an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. When we stopped at the
Beverage's feeders in Monterey, it seemed to be at a slack time, so missed
the Rusty Blackbirds.
Other target birds that we missed included Northern Goshawk, Ruffed Grouse,
Loggerhead Shrike and Evening Grosbeak. But since they are ALWAYS targets
that we usually miss, we had a great time anyway; and we'll be back.
Good birding,
David L. Hughes
Portsmouth, VA
