Members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club ventured up to Skyline Drive today
and birded the Limberlost Trail which is located near Skyland. The trip was
led by Elton Morel and by me, The highlight of the morning was a spectacular
look at a cooperative male Blackburnian Warbler actively feeding and giving us
excellent looks. He even reappeared to put on a show for people in the group
who had missed him when he was first sighted. We later found a female
Blackburnian a little further up the trail. We also enjoyed Chestnut-sided,
Black and White and Hooded Warblers. American Redstarts were ubiquitous. Veery
and Wood Thrushes entertained us with their singing. Scarlet Tanagers and
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks grudgingly let us glimpse them as they sang in the tree
tops. Canada Warblers had been reported in the area, but we dipped on them.
We found some more birds in other locations along Skyline Drive such as
Dark-eyed Juncos, a Broad-winged Hawk and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. As
usual, there were many Indigo Buntings and Eastern Towhees.
Larry Meade
Vienna, VA
