Rockfish Valley Trail 9/7/13

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

After a poor birding day on the trail yesterday, today was very good. I arrived at 8:30 and headed down the east side of Reids Creek. Within 1 hour, I had seen at least 25 avian species, and ended the morning with 34 species. By 10:00, the trail was fairly quiet. Most of the birds were between the first wooden bridge and the first downed tree (small pond area), although a Canada Warbler was farther south near the second wooden bridge. We have now seen 56 species on the trail this September.   Click here to see the current September 2013 trail list.

The highlight of this morning's hike was seeing six warbler species: American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, Blue-winged Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Canada Warbler, and a probable Chestnut-sided Warbler. The two Common Yellowthroats, one a juvenile and the other a young female, were quite happy to pose for me. I was really excited to see at least two Blue-winged Warblers. One of them was waist high near the center of a small tree about five feet from me, but by the time I adjusted my camera for a close-up, it flew deeper into the brush.


Female American Redstart


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Blue-winged Warbler


Blue-winged Warbler


Blue-winged Warbler


Magnolia Warbler


Magnolia Warbler


Canada Warbler

The last warbler of the morning was a probable Chestnut-sided Warbler. Although I only had a quick view and a few photos, and can not see chestnut on its flanks (which can happen with first fall females), this is the only warbler that I can find with a bold eye-ring and the undertail pattern that this bird had.


Probable Chestnut-sided Warbler

I saw a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers, and lots of other birds were on the trail as well.


Great Crested Flycatcher


Great Crested Flycatcher


Eastern Wood-Pewee


Pileated Woodpecker


Red-eyed Vireo


White-eyed Vireo


Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I took photos of two birds that I cannot identfy from the photos. The first one is probably a Scarlet Tanager, as I did see one on the trail. The second one is most likely a Red-eyed Vireo, but might be a warbler. Any other opinions are welcomed.


Red-eyed Vireo?


Scarlet Tanager?



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