Hi,
I birded much of the western side of Sky Meadows on this Memorial Day.
Unseasonably hot and humid. Obtained more early butterfly records for the park
- they are running 2 or weeks ahead of schedule this spring.
I was happy to find a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER along the South Ridge Trail in an
area of scattered trees where woodland meets field. This spot is maybe 3/4
mile up the trail, at the edge of the last field before it enters the woods,
left side of trail. Today's bird sang a song that was normal for the first
part "bee" but the second part "buzzzz" was kind of trilled. I don't remember
hearing this song type before. Wondering if the bird was not a pure
Blue-winged, I sought it out. Although he was fairly distant it's plumage
appeared to be Blue-winged rather than a hybrid, for what it's worth. A pair
of Blue-wingeds spent at least a few weeks on the east side of the park in May
and June a couple of years ago. I hope he sticks around for the Virginia
Society of Ornithology trip in 3 weeks.
An immature Bald Eagle flew overhead in the Walnut Grove area.
The Appalachian Trail, upper North Ridge Trail and the 1 mile stretch of wooded
part of the South Ridge Trail held lots of warblers: Ovenbird, Worm-eating
Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American
Redstart and Cerulean Warbler. The South Ridge Trail was especially
productive. Also, Yellow-breasted Chat was in it's usual spot where I had the
Blue-winged Warbler today.
I heard a Broad-winged Hawk call a handful of times somewhere overhead along
the above 3 trails over an hour period.
Take care,
Scott Baron
Vienna, Va.
