Sue Heath & Bev Leeuwenburg joined us today for a foray to the top of
Rockingham Co., along Little Dry River Rd. & FR 87.
We found most of the expected birds, but were especially treated to a
"distraction display" by a hen RUFFED GROUSE. As I turned a sharp corner on the
road up, the bird was standing right in the middle of the road, about 10 ft in
front of the car - and not moving. I actually had to back up so BJ & Bev could
see her from the back seat - NOT an every-day sighting! We assumed she had
"younguns" in the weeds, and she eventually (but slowly) moved on. Also,
earlier in Rockingham, we did hear at least 1 BOBOLINK along Whitmore Shop Rd.
Regrettably, before we went up the mountain, we checked for the E.
COLLARED-DOVES in Sangerville, but did not find them. However, for Sue (the
inveterate county lister), we did find a few new Augusta Co. birds (Osprey &
Warbling Vireo). As for Warbling Vireos in Rockingham, she'll just have to come
back someday! Actually, we stopped at many places where they might be, but
found none. And as for the Collared-Doves, I figure that she'll be tired of
them soon in Texas!
Elevation birds:
RUFFED GROUSE - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 6-8
Raven - 3-4
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE - 3
VEERY - 4 or more
Scarlet Tanager - 8-10
D-E JUNCO - 1 male
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 6
Warblers:
Black-throated Blue - 4-5
YELLOW-RUMPED - a few singing
Black-throated Green - 3
Pine - 3
Black-and-white - 1
Redstart - some
Worm-eating - 2
Ovenbird - some
L. Waterthrush - 1 (earlier in the valley)
C. Yellowthroat - 1 (way at the top on FR 85)
Hooded - 4
All-in-all, a fun day with good friends - isn't that what it's all about?!
Jon & BJ Little
Winchester
