Fellow Birders,
Members of the Buchanan County Bird Club descended on the home of fellow club
member, David Raines with binos, digital cameras, telephoto lenses and video
cameras, after receiving calls from David that he had a 1st year female
Townsend's Warbler on his property this Sunday morning, 9/26/04.
David, a veteran birder, lives just inside the western edge of Buchanan County
in the Breaks community, which is just a short distance from the Breaks
Interstate Park. The park is located on the VA - KY border.
David found the bird at the brushy edge of a large grass field, which then
gives way to tall, mostly deciduous trees. The bird was among other migrants,
which were part of a small feeding flock.
According to David, the first distinctive field mark to catch his eye was the
yellow breast. It was then he realized that he was not looking at a
Black-throated Green Warbler. David had ample time to examine the bird through
binoculars. He could see the dark auricular patch, the wing bars and the
striping on the sides. When the bird flew from one branch to another he was
able to see the white outer retrices.
During the next few hours several other migratory species were found by club
members on the property, but the Townsend's had unfortunately moved on without
being photographed or videotaped. However, David is going to be watching in
case this bird should return. This Townsend's is a first for Buchanan County
and probably a first for Southwest VA, though I could be mistaken about that.
Enjoy the birds, if they stay around long enough,
Roger Mayhorn
Grundy, VA
Buchanan County
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