VA Birders,
It was a great day for birding when 21 people converged on our house (Roger
and Lynda Mayhorn's) on Compton Mountain in Buchanan County this morning.
Birders came from as far away as Orange, VA and Kingsport, TN to take part
in the second Warbler Watch Day held here this month.
The morning started with a large flock of Cedar Waxwings coming into the
yard to feed on berries. Soon warblers and other migrants were popping up
everywhere. Birding the yard and surrounding woods 55 species were logged
with 13 of those being warbler species.
TENNESSEE WARBLERS were in every bush and shrub with a total of 58 being
counted for the day. CAPE MAYS, CHESTNUT-SIDEDS and BLACKBURNIANS were most
often seen in the large Cedar tree in the front yard. One BLUE-WINGED and 4
WORM-EATING WARBLERS were seen in the large walnut tree in the back yard
throughout the morning. 2 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS worked the yard, one
combing the Cedar tree and the other checking out the electrical pole in the
backyard.
A small flock of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS fed busily on Virginia Creeper berries
growing along the trunk of a walnut tree, as two BLUE-HEADED VIREOS searched
the same tree for insects.
9 HOODED WARBLERS were found along the trees at the edge of the yard and
farther back in the surrounding woods. 4 MAGNOLIAS were found working closer
to the ground on the flower heads and small shrubs. 2 OVENBIRDS made nice
but brief appearances in the woods. The first YELLOW-RUMPED of the season
surprised everyone, as did a DARK-EYED JUNCO.
10 SCARLET TANAGERS kept us entertained as they competed with the RED-EYED
VIREOS for the caterpillars in the trees. A SWAINSON'S THRUSH was located at
the edge of the woods, and various WHITE-EYED VIREOS sang throughout the
day.
During the birding break for lunch a BROAD-WINGED HAWK circled overhead,
along with a couple of TURKEY VULTURES. Later a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK climbed
the thermals from out of the valley below and stood out clearly against the
fall blue of the sky.
A SWAINSON'S THRUSH was seen in the woods and later during a walk in the
woods a BARRED OWL answered David Raines' excellent imitation of the call of
that species.
Everyone present had a good time, got to see some great birds, had some good
food, and hopefully went away feeling a little awed by what they had
experienced. I know I certainly did.
Those present were Ed & Michelle Talbott of Grundy,VA, Shirley Justus of
Hurley, VA, Marie Miller of Hurley, VA, Jean Gilbert of Grundy, VA, Sheldon
and Orpha Woods of Vansant, VA, David Raines of Breaks, VA, Dave and Diana
Worley of Lebanon, VA, Fred and Janice Martin of Bristol, VA, George and
Rosemarie Harris of Orange, VA, Mary Erwin and Judy Roach of Kingsport, TN,
Bill Grigsby of Kingsport, TN, Dexter and Lynda Newman of Kingsport, TN,
Chris Morgan of Kingsport, TN and Marion Finucane of Kingsport, TN.
The complete list is at the end of this message.
Good Birding,
Roger Mayhorn
Grundy, VA
Buchanan County
55 species
Acadian Flycatcher 1
American Crow 7
American Goldfinch 8
American Robin 1
Baltimore Oriole 1
Barred Owl 1
Black-and-White Warbler 2
Blackburnian Warbler 3
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Blue-headed Vireo 2
Blue Jay 2
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2
Brown Thrasher 2
Cape May Warbler 5
Carolina Chickadee 6
Carolina Wren 3
Cedar Waxwing 84
Chestnut-sided Warbler 5
Chimney Swift 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Downy Woodpecker 5
Eastern Bluebird 6
Eastern Phoebe 1
Eastern Towhee 7
Empidonax sp? 1
European Starling 13
Gray Catbird 2
Hooded Warbler 9
House Finch 3
Magnolia Warbler 4
Mourning Dove 10
Northern Cardinal 4
Northern Flicker 2
Ovenbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Scarlet Tanager 10
Song Sparrow 2
Swainsons Thrush 1
Tennessee Warbler 58
Tufted Titmouse 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 2
Yellow-throated Warbler 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
White-eyed Vireo 5
Wood Thrush 2
Worm-eating Warbler 4
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