On Saturday I had a nice surprise. A Black-Throated Green Warbler landed on
my deck rail. I have seen very few warblers and had to look this one up. I
had checked a few days before because I thought I had seen one near the
woods. This confirmed it. The bold yellow stripes on the face and the
white wing-bars were quite distinctive. A beautiful bird though it didn't
appear very green!
Later, as I was going out the front door, I heard a Red-shouldered Hawk
calling loudly. It took me a while to find him as the sky was bright and
blue and the sun was in my eyes. I finally caught a glimpse of him circling
until he disappeared into the sun. When I looked up again he was flying low
over the house with wings back looking like he was going to land in a tree.
But when I looked out back I couldn't find him (or her?)
While I was trying to see the hawk, I heard what sounded like a Mockingbird
only he wasn't repeating any of the phrases. The song was even more melodic
than usual. I finally found him near the top of the Hemlock and it was
definitely a Mockingbird. How odd! I heard him again today.
Yard birds on Saturday
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 4
RT Hummer 1 Female
Chimney Swifts 6 (or more)
Red-bellied WP 1
Downy WP 1
Blue Jay 1
A. Crow 1
C. Chickadee 2
T. Titmouse 2
WB Nuthatch 1
C. Wren 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Robin 1
Mockingbird 1
Cardinal 1
House Finch 6
Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 2
Nancy Young
Blue Ridge, Botetourt County
