VA Birders,
Tom Hardman and I spent a wonderful weekend in Highland County managing to
find most of our target species. We arrived at Paddy’s Knob by 9:00 on
Saturday. Highlights included 2 well seen signing MOURNING WARBLERS with
another 1 to 2 heard for a conservative total of 3. Absolutely beautiful
birds. We enjoyed two different males teed up atop low bushes by the road,
singing loudly. Canada, Blackburnian, BTG, BTB, B&W, many Chestnut-sided,
Redstarts, Hermit Thrush, Veery, YB Sapsuckers, Juncos, Ruffed Grouse
(heard drumming) BC Chickadees, Least Flys, etc. helped keep our interest.
We also chanced into members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club.
Our next stop was at Margaret O’Bryan’s along Wimer Mountain Road. After
chatting with Margaret and her husband (thanks again for your
hospitality!), we managed to find a gorgeous singing male GOLDEN-WINGED
WARBLER. What a stunning bird… We heard at least one additional GWWA
singing, and a possible third. Other birds of interest on their property
included: a handful of Least Flys, Orchard Oriole, YB Chat, Yellow Warb,
and plentiful Chestnut-sided. We later walked down Wimer Mountain Road but
seemed to hit it during the mid-day doldrums. The only thing of note was a
DOR Long-tailed Weasel.
We arrived at our campsite in Locust Springs by early afternoon. We
casually birded the area while we set up camp then relaxed. It seemed there
were Blackburnians signing throughout most of the daylight hours while we
enjoyed the area. And I still don’t think that Least Flycatcher took more
than a 5 minute break the entire time (next morning included). This is also
a great location for breeding Yellow-rumped Warblers in VA. Other species
included many Blue-headed Vireos, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Yellow-bellied
Sapsuckers, BTG, BTG and Magnolia Warblers. The singing Winter Wrens,
Hermit Thrushes and calling Red Squirrels really added to the experience.
After dark, an inquisitive Barred Owl came right into the campground
allowing for excellent views.
In the morning we drove south along Allegheny Road (55) following the ridge
and VW/WVA line. So cool that Blackburnians were the most common warb of
the drive (15 sp. were recorded in total over the weekend). The most
memorable moment of this section was a Ruffed Grouse which held her ground
in the road for some time before allowing her brood of perhaps 10 to cross.
This allowed for a great study of the female (rufous phase) as well as the
little fuzzballs. They seemed to be all wing and leg as they’re flight
feathers had grown in yet their bodies remained downy. A very memorable
sight indeed and a life bird for Tom.
We next turned east on Laurel Fork Road (642) back towards the Bluegrass
Valley. We were thrilled to catch up with a singing ALDER FLYCATCHER in
a scenic meadow near the beaver ponds after not knowing exactly where along
the road this species could be found. Specifically, it was singing to the
right of the road once you cross Straight Fork before you climb out of the
valley (before entering Bluegrass Valley and heading back into
civilization). We watched this species for some time from the scope while
it sang. Such a treat to find these breeding in the state and a testament
to the unique habitat of Highland County. While climbing over the last
ridge and back into the Bluegrass Valley, we were able to locate a singing
VESPER SPARROW which put on a show. A bit further a singing Savanna Sparrow
was located to the left of the road near the first house you approach, as
was a Red-headed Woodpecker.
We had hoped to bird along Wimer Mountain Road one last time but it was
raining hard by this point. We decided to give the PURPLE GALLINULE a shot
as we both hadn’t had an opportunity to do so. We arrived at the spot in
Waynesboro by 1:30 and spent nearly an hour peering into the spring.
Already back in the car and nearly defeated, we decided to give it one more
shot at 2:30 before making the long drive back. Low and behold, there the
beast sat feeding in the upper corner of the springs (along the paved
trail, farthest from the parking lot)! We watched this gorgeous specimen
for 20 minutes from the scope and were able to put a few locals on it as
well. This was Virginia Bird #325 for myself and the perfect way to end a
wonderful birding weekend. It certainly made the drive back to DC a bit
easier.
---
Will McPhail
Washington, DC
