I climbed the abbey bell tower this morning between 10 and 12 to watch for
hawks, but it was pretty slow, only 1 Cooper's, 2 Red-taileds and a Kestrel.
Other migrants were a couple of Yellow-billed Cuckoos, a Belted Kingfisher, 3
Hummingbirds zipping by, lots of Barn Swallows (50 or more), 5 Purple Martins,
and scores of Waxwings.
In the woods just below the vineyard I found 7 Hooded Warblers, an Ovenbird,
and 2 Worm-eating Warblers, and 3 Scarlet Tanagers. A Raven was around the farm
today, apparently hunting in our newly cut hayfields. 32 Canada Geese spent the
night on the upper pond, and left with some commotion mid-morning.
Father John Sebastian
Syon Abbey
Blue Ridge Parkway
Franklin County
