Hi all,
My mom and I got back last night from a camping trip at Matthews Arm Campground
in the north district of Shenandoah National Park. Over the course of our 4
days, I had a few good bird sightings.
On Wed (July 16th) along the Knob Mt Trail from the Heiskell Hollow Tr to the
Cutoff Trail (1.5 miles -- Page County) I had 34 species with highlights: 1
Rrd-shouldered & 1 Broad-winged Hawks, 2 Acadian Flycatchers, 1 BH Vireo, 7
recently fledged Ovenbirds -- confirmed breeding, 1 Worm-eating, 2
Black-and-white, 4 Redstart, and 2 Junco.
On Wed (16th) and Fri (18th) nights at the Matthews Arm Campground I heard 1-2
Barred Owls (Page County).
At 10:30am on Fri morning (18th) at Piney River Ranger Station (Rappahannock
County) I had a surprise northeast-bound flyby Merlin. There were 1 Kentucky
(this is a spot I regularly get Kentuckies) and 2 Chestnut-sided Warblers
nearby.
Later Fri afternoon at the Front Royal Entrance Station to the park (Warren
County) I had 22 species with highlights: 1 Swift, 1 Hummingbird, 3 Pewee, 8 C.
Chickadee -- includes Recently Fledged Young (RFY) -- confirmed breeding, 12
Tufted Titmouse -- RFY, 4 Nuthatch, 4 House Wren, 6 Gnatcatcher -- RFY, 4
Worm-eating Warblers -- RFY, 2 L. Waterthrush, 1 Hooded, 2 Redstart, 1 Scarlet
Tanager.
Our final notable birds were the same afternoon at Gooney Manor Overlook where
we had 1 adult Bald Eagle circling overhead, 2 Broad-winged & 1 Red-tailed
Hawks.
Good birding!
Gabriel Mapel
New Hope, VA
