Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
It was another very hot day here in central Virginia, and Walt Childs and I headed west to cooler and higher elevations in the Allegheny Mountains. We knew that there would be dense vegetation on the road to the summit at Reddish Knob, but this time of the year is a good time to look for juvenile warblers. There was also a chance to see Red Crossbills at the four road intersection part way up. We arrived at 10:15 a.m., didn't see or hear many birds on the way up to the intersection, and when we got there, we only saw a few American Goldfinches and Dark-eyed Juncos, and one juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Juvenile male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
We continued up the road to the summit, and still did not hear or see many birds. When we got to the intersection just before the summit, we turned right and headed towards West Virginia. We heard an Ovenbird, a few Black-throated Blue Warblers, and one Black-throated Green Warbler, but did not see them. It looked like this was going to be a "Wild Goose," or should I say, "Wild Warbler" chase. When we returned to that intersection, we saw an adult and a juvenile Black and White Warbler.
Juvenile Black and White Warbler
We didn't see any point in looking for birds at the summit, and decided to head back down. We stopped just before crossing the narrow "razorback" ridge when I heard birds singing, and now the fun started. A male Canada Warbler popped up about 10 feet in front of me and stayed perched there for more than 5 minutes. Another Canada Warbler, perhaps a female or a juvenile, appeared but stayed deep in the vegetation so we could not get a good look at it.
Male Canada Warbler
Male Canada Warbler
Male Canada Warbler
Male Canada Warbler
Male Canada Warbler
We stopped again a bit past the razorback ridge to get a look at a female Canada Warbler.
Female Canada Warbler
There was quite a bit of avian activity in one area farther down the road. We saw another female Canada Warbler, a male Yellow-rumped Warbler carrying food, a female Hooded Warbler, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Black-capped Chickadees, a Tufted Titmouse, and a Hairy Woodpecker.
Female Canada Warbler
Male Yellow-rumped Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
We saw the Ruby-throated Hummingbird back at the four road intersection, and then headed back down Briery Branch Road. We stopped about half way down when there was more avian activity. A female and a juvenile Blackburnian Warbler were foraging for food. Another Blue-headed Vireo was there as well.
Female Blackburnian Warbler
Female Blackburnian Warbler
Juvenile Blackburnian Warbler
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
There was a lot of commotion in that same area as well. An adult Pine Warbler was foraging with two juveniles. One of the juveniles kept calling for food, and the other juvenile was exercising its wings with extremely fast up and down flutter motions.
Adult Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
Juvenile Pine Warbler
By the time we reached the reservoir at the bottom, we had logged almost 30 avian species there, including 9 warbler species. We decided to make a quick stop at Hone Quarry on the way back. Hone Quarry hasn't been very good birding for us very time we have been there, except for one time last April. All we saw there today were a few Goldfinches, Chipping Sparrows, Indigo Buntings, Cardinals, Cedar Waxwings, and one Raven.
Female Indigo Bunting