Central Virginia, 10/26-11/1/15

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

The end of November marks the departure of many of our summer avian species and autumn migrants, and the arrival of some of our winter visitors. With nearby fields, woods, lakes, and mountains, staying close to home can be just as productive for good birding as traveling longer distances.

October 26; Stoney Creek (Wintergreen)

Wood Ducks

October 29; Rockfish Valley Trail

Swamp Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

October 29; Stoney Creek (Wintergreen)

Late season Blue-headed Vireo

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

October 30; Crozet, Virginia

Walt Childs and I drove the short distance to Crozet, and logged 30 avian species at Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir. We saw a pair of American Wigeons - one was an adult male and the other either an immature male or possibly a leucistic adult, or perhaps a hybrid with another duck species. We added a Pileated Woodpecker at Beaver Creek Reservoir and a Swamp Sparrow at Old Trail to end the trip with 32 avian species.

American Wigeons

American Wigeon, Green-winged Teals, and Ring-billed Duck

Ruddy Ducks

Immature Northern Mockingbird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Song Sparrow

November 1; Rockfish Valley Trail

Light rain fell over night and early this morning, and the drizzle had just ended when I got to the trail. Although it was still cloudy and a bit gloomy, there were a good number of birds on the trail, and I ended up with 25 avian species there.

Cedar Waxwings