[Va-bird] Common Yellowthroat, Hone Quarry & Shen. Mt report (western Rockingham, George Washington National Forest)
- From: Diane L <dianelep1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: yahoogroups <shenvalbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Va-bird Birding <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2015 01:17:52 +0000 (UTC)
Here's the summary/highlights of Greg Moyers' and my jaunt today to Shenandoah
Mountain and Hone Quarry Dam area:
From Briery Branch Gap (west of Dayton), we drove to Hone Quarry Ridge Rd and
hiked in about 1 1/4 miles. Our winter-worthy, mountain species count of
eight was showcased by two Red-breasted Nuthatches and a Ruffed Grouse that
flew low across our path, offering great a view of its topside plumage. No
sign of the hoped-for Red Crossbills.
Descending the Mountain, between the Gap and Briery Branch Dam we added four
species including Fox Sparrow & Pileated Woodpecker.
Our birdiest stop was Hone Quarry Rd, and particularly the wet area beyond Hone
Quarry Dam. We found both kinglets and, beyond the Dam, had sparrows zipping
around everywhere! Lots of Field Sparrows, a healthy dose of White-throated,
some Song and one Swamp. Lots of Juncos, a few Goldfinches. In the flurry, a
yellow bird sneaked in low, staying mostly in dense shrubby growth, and seemed
to check out us "intruders" -- Common Yellowthroat. My brain nearly
short-circuited seeing this late Nov. warbler in the mountains, but thankfully
Greg and I both had good looks and the camera managed a couple of ID-worthy
shots.
Diane Lepkowski
Harrisonburg
PS - For those of you not familiar with the area, this is in the George
Washington National Forest and deer season is in full swing. Greg wore this
cute little orange beanie, and I an orange shirt about two sizes too big(!) We
commented that only a couple of hunters seem to shoot each other every year, so
we thought our odds of dodging bullets pretty decent. Sundays (no hunting)
would be quieter, of course.
PPS - at home, just before sundown, two Fox Sparrows and a continuing male
Eastern Towhee.
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- » [Va-bird] Common Yellowthroat, Hone Quarry & Shen. Mt report (western Rockingham, George Washington National Forest) - Diane L
