My wife and I spent the better part of 3 days at our place on Cedar Creek in
Shenandoah County this past weekend. Though our species list was a bit
shorter than some years for this time (45 species), it did include some very
nice
birds. We tallied 14 warbler species, though no vireos or thrushes. Highlights
were 1 or perhaps 2 Mourning Warblers (first fall), 1 first fall Connecticut
Warbler, and 3 Lincoln's Sparrows. The Connecticut was the first one for many
years after seeing them with some regularity in that earlier time. The
Mournings are a new phenomenon for us, but seem to be increasingly predictable.
Lincoln's Sparrows are seen about every third fall, though they may be present
every year but just not there when we are. Raptors were scarce, but we are not
on any significant migratory pathway for them, so don't expect much. We had
our first White-throated Sparrow, so the juncos can't be far behind. Good
birding to all!
Dave Davis
Arlington
