VA BIRDers,
A pretty cool day for the middle of July. Freezeland Rd at Thompson WMA was
63F at 7am rising to nearly 68F when I left at 930am. There were a few
birds present and a small fraction of them were singing. Nothing too
surprising, but a delight to see warblers in the middle of summer. The
highlight was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak - female in breeding plumage but no
signs (acoustically or photonically) of a male or young. Let me list the
notable species:
YB Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1, big black eyes staring down on me
Chimney Swift 1, pretty good considering the nearest house was half a mile a
way
E. Wood Pewee 11, feeding FL
Acadian Fly 7
White-eyed V 3
Yellow-throated V 3
Red-eyed V 15, FL
Common Raven 1
Wood Thrush 9
Gray Catbird 11
Brown Thrasher 1
Ovenbird 2
Worm-eating 4, one sang
Black & White 1, HY female
Kentucky 5, one sang
Common Yellowthroat 1, singing
Hooded 10, several sang
Am. Redstart 10, CF, two sang
YB Chat 2, one flew out of someone's driveway and after landing made strange
sounds reminiscent of its song
Scarlet Tanager 6, couple singing
E. Towhee 29, FL
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1, ad female
Indigo Bunting 21, CF + FL
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
I then drove Leeds Manor Rd. Most notable were a few American Redstarts in
trees along the route, occasionally chipping. There was also a YB Chat and
YB Cuckoo (graceful flight). I went down Carr Rd and the most notable was a
rufous phase E. Screech Owl (how I wish I had a camera with me!) which stood
outside its entrance hole for nearly a minute. And the Green Heron in one
of the wet patches was a pleasant surprise. As I went south towards I-66 an
American Kestrel flew in parallel with Rectortown Rd. About 73 species for
the trip.
Kurt Gaskill
