Hello, birders.
I performed a bird survey for Shenandoah Nat'l Park today. I had a great time
birding areas near Stony Man. The heat that was experienced in the DC area
today was not experienced in the mountains as it was a good 20 degrees cooler
out there. I noted other birds before and after the surveys.
I heard a few WHIP-POOR-WILLS along Skyline Drive at dawn and was lucky enough
to happen to see one when I pulled over to a parking area. My best bird was
two WINTER WRENS - I hadn't realized that they even bred in the park. They
were both singing along the Passamaquoddy Trail, which is located just north of
Skyland. I found 9 species of warblers in a few miles of hiking plus some
driving: Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Cerulean,
Black and White, Am. Redstart, Worm-eating, Ovenbird and Canada.
It was neat seeing an immature Dark-eyed Junco, as it's a plumage that I rarely
get to observe. I found evidence of breeding by other species, too.
A thunderstorm rolled through in the early afternoon as I was wrapping up my
visit. The storm cooled the air even further.
Volunteer surveys continue for another 3 weeks. For info about volunteering,
see link below.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/cerw.htm
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
