Hi Va-bird,
My dad and I drove out to Highland County today for some birding after our
overnight camping trip fell apart. Despite the late start we had an
excellent day recording 83 species, including an impressive 18 warblers.
The birding was rushed and we didn't get to spend very much time at most
locations. Grassland birding was mainly just listening and scanning from
the car in between stops.
We made the obligatory stop for Red Crossbills at the confederate
breastworks on Shenendoah Mountain. None were present (shocker). There were
a singing Scarlet Tanager, Orchard Oriole, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dark-eyed
Junco, and Worm-eating Warbler here. A Cerulean Warbler was heard singing
on the way down the mountain.
Next we headed for Paddy's Knob with a brief detour along Rt. 631. There
were no Golden-winged Warblers singing although there was plenty of decent
habitat. Paddy's Knob was absolutely incredible. I was prepared for a
grueling Mourning Warbler search, but I started hearing them as soon as we
got into habitat. We stopped near a close singer, found it teed up on a
perch, and set up the scope. Killer looks... Chestnut-sided Warblers and
Blue-headed Vireos were nothing short of abundant here. There were also
Veeries, Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Redstarts,
Black-throated Green Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Black-and-white
Warblers, Northern Parulas, and a Cerulean Warbler. Least Flycatchers were
fairly conspicuous and allowed for excellent scope studies as well.
After our good luck we headed for Locust Springs. Bobolinks and the first
Savannah Sparrows were noted along Rt. 84 and Rt. 640. A stop at the Back
Creek crossing of Rt. 250 failed to turn up any Golden-wings. This spot did
have a Willow Flycatcher, Belted Kingfisher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird,
Red-eyed Vireo, and Cedar Waxwing however.
Locust Springs is undoubtedly the most scenic area I have ever visited in
the state. It really is gorgeous up there. Golden-crowned Kinglets and
Blackburnian Warblers were singing side-by-side (almost). There were more
than a few Magnolia Warblers here, and lots of the same things as at Paddy's
Knob. The most surprising bird here was a singing Acadian Flycatcher. It
seems like the elevation is a little high here, and it struck me as being
out of place. I'm sure there was plenty more to discover here, but we had
to get moving along to keep our schedule.
We drove Allegheny Rd. to Rt. 642 and then into the Blue Grass Valley. There
were 2 Wild Turkeys along Allegheny Rd. At the Laruel Fork Crossing of Rt.
642 there were some Canada Warblers. Shortly after I heard a Hooded
Warbler. There were no Alder Flycatchers at the Short Fork crossing, but my
dad spotted a Bald Eagle flying over the ridge here. Another highlight was
a Vesper Sparrow dust bathing in the road as we entered the valley.
We then hit up Rt. 640 at the West Virginia line as a last chance for
Golden-winged Warbler. It was pretty hot and dead at this point, but we
walked around some. Just as we were about back to the car and getting ready
to leave a Golden-wing started singing. There were lots of Brown Thrashers
in here, and we also had more Bobolinks, Savannah Sparrows, and two
Red-headed Woodpeckers along this road. A farm pond on the way back to Rt.
250 also had a Green Heron. For those who care, here is the complete list:
Green Heron - 1
Turkey Vulture - 18
Bald Eagle - 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 2
Wild Turkey - 2
Killdeer - 5
Rock Dove - a few on Rt. 81
Mourning Dove - 9
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 8
Chimney Swift - 17
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 4
Belted Kingfisher - 1
Red-headed Woodpecker - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2
Downy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 7
Pileated Woodpecker - 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee - 18
Acadian Flycatcher - 1
Willow Flycatcher - 1
Least Flycatcher - 4
Eastern Phoebe - 10
Great Crested Flycatcher - 5
Eastern Kingbird - 7
Tree Swallow - 12
Barn Swallow - 26
Blue Jay - 8
American Crow - 5
Common Raven - 6
Black-capped Chickadee - 14
Tufted Titmouse - 10
White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
Carolina Wren - 3
House Wren - 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Eatern Bluebird - 21
Veery - 11
Wood Thrush - 8
American Robin - 40
Gray Catbird - 7
Northern Mockingbird - 2
Brown Thrasher - 15
Cedar Waxwing - 9
European Starling - 55
Blue-headed Vireo - 28
Red-eyed Vireo - 16
Golden-winged Warbler - 1
Northern Parula - 6
Yellow Warbler - 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler - 32
Magnolia Warbler - 11
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 7
Black-throated Green Warbler - 12
Blackburnian Warbler - 5
Cerulean Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 4
American Redstart - 14
Worm-eating Warbler - 2
Ovenbird - 9
Mourning Warbler - 3
Common Yellowthroat - 7
Hooded Warbler - 1
Canada Warbler - 4
Yellow-breasted Chat - 1
Scarlet Tanager - 8
Northern Cardinal - 10
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 38
Eastern Towhee - 26
Chipping Sparrow - 9
Field Sparrow - 11
Vesper Sparrow - 1
Savannah Sparrow - 6
Song Sparrow - 8
Dark-eyed Junco - 21
Bobolink - 12
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 27
Red-winged Blackbird - 65
Eastern Meadowlark - 29
Common Grackle - 34
Orchard Oriole - 1
House Sparrow - 4
Good birding,
Alex
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex Merritt
Oak Hill, VA
cerulean182@xxxxxxxxxxx
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