All – yesterday I went up to Apple Orchard Mtn to see the warblers before there
were too many leaves on the trees. I birded along the gravel road from Sunset
Fields (mile post 78) to the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful morning –
cool but a little windy. The birds were very active and I probably saw the
most Cerulean Warblers that I have seen at one time – there were at least 6
males singing along the gravel road towards the top of the mountain. They were
mainly at the upper end of the road. In addition there were singing Veerys,
numerous Redstarts, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, the Canada Warblers
preferred to be heard and not seen, the Juncos have set up territories and one
pair seemed to have nestlings judging by the food in the mouth of one of the
pair, and there were a few singing Wood Thrushes. I saw one female
Black-throated Blue Warbler but did not hear any singing. Of course Ovenbirds
were abundant. There were 4-5 singing Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a number of
Scarlet Tanagers. Pewees are here and I was able to locate two nests by
watching the birds as they flew in the trees. Black-and-white Warblers were
singing and I heard (but did not see) several Blackpoll Warblers (I think they
are moving through and a little late this year). In other areas along the Pway
I heard/saw Chestnut-sided Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers,
Pine Warblers, and Black-throated Green Warblers. So, it was a good day for
warblers.
I stopped at the James River Visitor’s center and was surprised to see that the
Cliff Swallow colony is very reduced. There only appeared to be a few active
nests. I wonder if the Cliff Swallows all moved to the new bridge coming out
of Glasgow – there must be 40+ nests there. I did find several Baltimore
Orioles at the James River along with one very vocal Warbling Vireo. Further
up the Pway, I found a singing and agitated Acadian Flycatcher.
At a pond near Lexington there was a Spotted Sandpiper and one Semipalmated
Plover.
I’ve posted some photos of a few of the birds seen yesterday.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmibiology/
Dick Rowe
VMI Biology
