Magnolia Warbler
Summer-like heat and humidity continues here in Virginia. I had a mid-morning appointment here in Crozet, but was able to take a quick hike close to home in Old Trail before having to get ready to leave. I ended with 14 avian species on this short hike, including 1 warbler species.
Magnolia Warbler
Northern Cardinal
After lunch, I made the 10 minute drive from home to the Blue Ridge Parkway and adjacent Route 610. Just after getting onto Route 610, I saw a Swainson's Thrush, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and a huge flock of Common Grackles.
Swainson's Thrush
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Common Grackles
And along the two-mile drive on Route 610 between parkway mm.2 and mm.4, I encountered three mixed flocks of warblers, and was able to locate eight warbler species in these flocks.
Bay-breasted Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue Warbler
Male Black-throated Blue and Bay-breasted Warblers
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
I also saw a few Blackpoll Warblers here, but the photos weren't very good. Look at the heavy streaking on this Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
The only warblers I saw on the Blue Ridge Parkway were near the upper end of the cirque near mm. 7.5. All of these warblers were far from the road. The Blackpoll Warblers had very white edges on their feathers.
Black-throated Green Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers
On the return trip on Route 610, I encountered a few more mixed warbler flocks. They may have been the same flocks I saw on the way south. I did add a Northern Parula to bring my warbler species count for the day to 10, and I saw a warbler that might be an immature Northern Parula, but I am not sure.
Northern Parula
Cape May(?) Warbler and Northern Parula
Immature Northern Parula(?)
Chipmunk