Hi all,Instead of heading over to Highland County Allen Larner and I decided to
stay in the valley on this frigid January 1st. We ended up having a fantastic
day of birding around Augusta and Rockingham Counties finding 75 species total.
We spent most of the day in Augusta but wandered up to Rockingham in the
afternoon where our highlights included: Lake Campbell waterfowl (300 Canada
Geese, 1 N. Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 4 GW Teal, 2 Redhead, 8
Ring-necked, 1 G. Scaup). Silver Lake waterfowl (2 Shovelers, 8 Gadwall, 3
Pintails, 1 G. Scaup, and the continuing Long-tailed Duck). 42 Eurasian
Collared-Doves at the known location at the intersection of Lumber Mill and Dry
River Roads. The Snowy Owl at the Walmart property in Mt Crawford, viewed from
McDonald's as reported real time from the field.
Our Augusta County highlights included:
Note: Most waterfowl noted as "Throughout the County" at the Rte 254 ponds on
the north of Waynesboro, Fishersville Quarry, and/or Bell's Lane Private Pond.
Snow Goose 1 -- Rte 254 ponds, north end of WaynesboroG. White-fronted Goose 29
-- 13 at Bell's Lane Private Pond, 13 at Long Meadow Rd Pond, 3 at Fishersville
Quarry. New Winter Peak Count for Augusta County.
Cackling Goose 10 -- 1 at Fishersville Quarry, 9 at Bell's Lane Private
Pond.Canada Goose 1,355 -- Throughout the county.Trumpeter Swan 1 -- Continuing
at Rte 254 ponds, north end of Waynesboro. Gadwall 115 -- Throughout the
county.American Black Duck 15 -- Throughout.N. Pintail 8 -- Throughout.GW Teal
17 -- Throughout.Redhead 18 -- Throughout.Ring-necked 50 -- Throughout.Lesser
Scaup 2 -- Bell's Lane Private Pond.Ruddy Duck 8 -- Bell's Lane Private
Pond.Pied-billed Grebe 1 -- Bell's Lane Private Pond.BC Night-Heron 1 --
InVista Ponds in Waynesboro.N. Harrier 3 -- Throughout the county.Bald Eagle 2
-- Guthrie Rd & Swoope.Red-shouldered Hawk 7 -- Throughout the county.Barn Owl
1 -- Private property silo.E. Screech-Owl 1 -- calling post-sunset along
Sangers Lane.Great Horned Owl 2 -- calling post-sunset in the New Hope
area.Short-eared Owl 7 -- Bell's Lane at dusk. *NOTE including the Snowy up in
Rockingham we had a 5 owl species day today!Red-headed Woodpecker 2 -- Mish
Barn Rd and Livick Rd in Swoope.Am. Kestrel 14 -- Throughout the county.Horned
Lark 460 -- Mostly in the Swoope Area.American Pipit 90 -- Chapel Hill Ln near
Weyers Cave.Swamp Sparrow 2 -- Boy Scout Lane in Swoope.
Thanks to Allen for a fantastic day of birding and a great start to the year!
Wishing everyone a bird-filled and fabulous 2018.Gabriel MapelNew Hope
