18 members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club ventured out to Skyline Drive in
Shenandoah National Park to find some warblers and other birds not usually seen
at lower altitudes in the summer. It was more a matter of quality over
quantity as we did not amass a huge day list. Nevertheless,we did tally nine
warbler species and also had several other highlights. After entering the park
at Thornton Gap ,we made a brief stop at Skyland where we found a singing
Yellow-rumped Warbler. We then headed over to the Limberlost Trail, the main
focus of our trip. Here we found Blue-headed Vireos,Scarlet Tanagers,
Dark-eyed Juncos, Ovenbirds, many American Redstarts, Chestnut-sided,
Black-throated Green, Hooded, and Black-and-White Warblers. The Canada
Warblers were in the area near the first bridge and also a bit further along
the trail if you are traveling counter-clockwise. We were happy to see these
birds,especially since we missed them at Limberlost last year. We made a final
stop at the Pocosin Cabin trail between mile markers 59 and 60. Here we found
a female Hooded Warbler right on the trail carrying food and aggressively
chipping at us. She was not shy about defending what must of been her nearby
nest. Our final warbler was a Cerulean Warbler at Pocosin which we heard, but
were unable to see. A non-avian highlight was a Bobcat hanging out on the side
of the road. When I saw the animal, it was actually in the road licking the
asphalt. I'm not sure what that was about.
Larry Meade
Merrifield,VA
