I headed out this morning to do some birding in nearby Crozet, VA. My first stop was the trail and large lake at the Western Ridge subdivision. I was hoping to see some spring migrating birds, and perhaps if lucky, some marsh birds in the large areas of the lake that are heavily reeded. I arrived at 9:00 and stayed until 10:30, logging 28 species there. Not too much unusual, although it was the first time I have seen two Canada Geese fighting with each other, perhaps over the goose watching the battle??
Canada Geese
Part of a small flock of Wood Ducks
Female Ring-necked Duck and Mallards
This morning's list at Western Ridge (28 species):
Northen Mockingbird Northern Cardinal American Goldfinch Carolina Chickadee Yellow-rumped Warbler Mourning Dove | Field Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Phoebe Red-winged Blackbird Blue Jay American Robin Canada Goose Wood Duck Mallard Ring-necked Duck Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker American Crow Fish Crow Red-shouldered Hawk Kingfisher |
I then headed over to Mint Springs Park, and was there from 10:45 to 11:30. There were lots of common birds at the parking lot level, and I added Eastern Bluebird, Dark-eyed Junco, Turkey Vulture, and Tree Swallow to this morning's list. I wasn't planning on hiking up the trails, but they looked green so I took the Fire Trail up to where it levels off, and then across to the large rock outcroppings. There were only a few birds that time of the morning at those elevations, but I heard several birds that I am almost sure were American Redstarts. However, without visual confirmation, I did not want to add them to my list. One of the Tree swallows was interesting - it had a brown rump and a thick brown line at the side of its breast. I have no clue as to what these markings are.
Tree Swallow
My last Crozet stop was at the wetlands at the King Family Vineyards - not too much there except for a juvenile and adult Red-shouldered Hawk, a few geese and RW Blackbirds, and a pair of female Hooded(?) Mergansers. The lighting was poor, and birders are not permitted to get close, although I did see a portable camouflage blind erected only a few feet from the water, so someone was allowed access.
Red-shouldered Hawks
Mergansers