Seven members of the Rockingham Bird Club birded Highland County and
Pocahontas County on May 27-28 amassing a total of 111 species.
Some highlights were a Kentucky Warbler along Rt. 831 just east of Monterey.
Several Bobolinks, Cliff Swallows and Savannah Sparrows along Rt. 637 in the
Blue Grass Valley. Two Golden-winged Warblers and a Chat along Rt. 640 at
VA-WV line east of Snowy Mt. where more Bobolinks were also found.
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was a Ruddy Duck along Rt. 84 going
toward Mill Gap. A Mourning Warbler was found on Paddy Knob where the
foliage is just starting to appear. Three Bald eagles were seen in
Highland County and another near Frost, WV the first day.
On a late evening trek around the boardwalk in the Cranberry Glades with
most of the birding being by ear, Blackpolls and a drumming Grouse were
heard. On Wednesday morning, May 28 a Pine Siskin was found at the
Cranberry Visitor Center. Another trip around the boardwalk mostly in light
rain produced good looks at Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian and Canada
Warblers as well as a Red-breasted Nuthatch. A Northern Waterthrush put on
a good show singing from two very conspicuous perches atop dead trees. A
distant Alder Flycatcher was also spotted. The parking lot was a flurry of
activity when we returned with Black-throated Green and Blackburnian
Warblers and a Blue-headed Vireo putting on a show in the tree tops. A
Purple Finch was also seen here, and our sharp-eared members picked up a
Brown Creeper.
The next stop was Bear Town where we were disappointed not to find a Winter
Wren, but a very cooperative Veery gave us great looks as it hopped around
an outhouse. Least Flycatchers were also present.
The town park in Marlinton was productive with a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and
Common Yellowthroat being heard and a Baltimore Oriole seen at close range.
A total of four Green Herons were seen on the trip, two in each state. We
got our last species Wednesday evening in Goshen Pass on the way home, an
Acadian Flycatcher.
Ken Hinkle
Bridgewater, VA
