Pied-billed Grebe
The nearby mountains were shrouded in fog, so I decided to hike here in Old Trail. When I left my house a little after 9:00 a.m., the temperature was 72 degrees, and the dew point must have been about the same! It was like hiking in a steam bath. Every time I brought my camera up to my face to take a photo, my glasses fogged up, making photography a challenge. By noon, the temperature was already in the 80s.
But I was able to log 36 avian species, including 6 sparrow species and 5 warbler species, although one of the warbler species is difficult to identify. At the golf course pond, I saw a Great Blue Heron, a Belted Kingfisher, an immature Pied-billed Grebe, and an Osprey. One shorebird flew away, calling loudly, but I could not see it. It was probably a Killdeer, although its call sounded a bit different to me.
Pied-billed Grebe
Osprey
Great Blue Heron
I saw my first of season Savannah Sparrow and first of season White-crowned Sparrows. The WC Sparrows were right on time, as the Virginia Gold Book states that this species should arrive starting on October 10.
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrows
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
House Sparrow
House Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Red-shouldered Hawk
Carolina Wren
Downy Woodpecker
Warblers were few and far between.
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
One of the warblers is difficult to identify. I wasn't able to see its face, but it is bright yellow below with yellow undertail coverts, greenish above, with dark wings without wing-bars, and yellow legs and feet. There are a few warbler species that fit this description, including the rare Connecticut, but from the length of its tail, I would guess that it is a Wilson's Warbler. Other opinions are appreciated.
Unidentified Warbler
Unidentified Warbler