Broad-winged Hawk
It was supposed to be a warbler day, but it certainly turned out different! Walt Childs and I headed over to Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro, Virginia, to look for warblers. As soon as we entered the wooded area, we saw a Broad-winged Hawk eating a snake!
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
The park was very "birdy," and we ended up with 29 avian species there in about 2 hours.
Purple Finch
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Female Northern Cardinal in her nest
American Goldfinch
Eastern Towhee
At one point, we heard some crows making a lot of noise, and then saw them harassing a Red-tailed Hawk. I stepped into a clearing to get a few photos.
American Crows and Red-tailed Hawk
American Crow and Red-tailed Hawk
American Crow and Red-tailed Hawk
As soon as the Red-tailed Hawk had been chased away, I walked back into the wooded area of the park. Less than a minute later, I heard the crows again. This time they were harassing two hawks! One of the hawks flew higher to try to get away, and the second one dove down into the trees to escape. The high flyer was a second Broad-winged Hawk!
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk and American Crow
The hawk that went for tree cover was a Cooper's! As soon as the crows departed as they chased the Broad-winged away, the Cooper's climbed higher, and then it left the area.
Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
We left Ridgeview Park, got a quick lunch, and then drove around Waynesboro where we added 10 more avian species, including our only warbler of the day - a single Yellow-rumped, and a Horned Grebe in full breeding plumage. We then drove for a while in the farming areas around Waynesboro, and added 6 more avian species, making 45 for the trip.
Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe