Given how uncommon this species is in Rockingham, perhaps today's lesson was to
venture beyond regular birding sites for a bit of exploring.
Joining Lisa Perry this morning to help survey a route in the GW National
Forest on Massanutten Mountain, I'd teased her that I expected delivery of a
life bird for the effort. Well, Prairie Warbler may have topped life bird,
given their local infrequency. And also considering this was the first year we
weren't able to locate one in the now-possibly overgrown (and formerly
reliable) Bear Trap (Augusta) habitat.
We heard two singing -- one at, and then one beyond, the trail crossings of
Massanutten (416) and Fridley Gap (419) Trails, along the ridge of Second
Mountain (one of several Massanutten Mt. ridges, elev about 2,600' per topo
maps, at the trail crossing.) Habitat was PERFECT -- new growth filling in a
burned area. Interestingly, the rocky/ likely poor soil area also hosted other
warblers we found regularly at Bear Trap with the Prairie -- Worm-eating &
Black-and-white. Lots of E. Towhees and Ovenbirds and at least one, probably
two N. Parula. Other notables were at least four YB Cuckoos, and several each
of Wood Thrush & Hooded Warbler.
Our hike was about 4-5 miles round trip. West of Elkton, Runkles Gap Rd runs
west from East Point Rd (Rt. 602) into the National Forest, where it becomes
Cub Run Rd. 5 miles from 602, and 3 miles after the road turns to gravel, we
hiked the gated FS road on the left, .1 miles after another gated rd on the
left. Room for a couple of cars to pull off...not much more. Somewhat rocky,
hilly terrain with a couple of easy creek crossings, this takes you along Cub
Run and then up the Massanutten Ridge.
Nice hike and well worth the effort. For the non-hikers in our midst -- it
might be worth checking Cub Run Rd en route to the trailhead. Our southbound
foot route paralleled this, and I believe was only about 1/2 mile away at the
Prairie Warbler location. The burned area appeared to span the mountainside
between ridge trail and road.
Oh, if you'd like to duplicate our effort be sure to start at the trailhead at
or before 5:45 AM... otherwise no guarantee on results(!)
Diane Lepkowski
Harrisonburg
