Drawn westward for a day of birding in Highland County by David Hughes's fine
bird list of last month (and his endorsement of the Stone Hearth
Restaurant!), I sampled both fare yesterday before heading into Bath and
Rockbridge County
on other business. I had time mostly for the northern Blue Grass Valley,
from Hightown to the Pendleton Co., WV line., with most public routes covered
thoroughly by car, with about 0.5 miles on foot. Only one each of Golden and
Bald Eagle were in evidence, with many ravens, crows, and leaves aloft on winds
gusting to 40 mph from the west. Few Red-tailed Hawks (3) and American
Kestrels (4) were seen, along with modest numbers of expected species
(waxwings,
bluebirds, meadowlarks), in numbers similar to those of early winter.
However, the sparrowing was unexpectedly good:
Vesper Sparrow 4
Grasshopper Sparrow 2
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 45
Savannah Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 95 (most just s. of Monterey)
White-throated Sparrow 36
Field Sparrow 5
Chipping Sparrow 2
Dark-eyed Junco 40+
Eastern Towhee 2
This is the best sparrowing I've experienced up in Highland, though I rarely
visit in late October. Both Vesper and Grasshopper were in areas where they
breed (643/642 areas), but one Vesper was in an apple orchard nearer High
Town.
I will post an account of the fare at the Stone Hearth soon, as time allows -
suffice to say it was terrific!
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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