Horned Lark
Walt Childs and I had planned to go north of I-64 along Route 340, but as we left my house, we changed our minds and decided to go west and south. And I am glad that we did! Not only did we see 40+ avian species, it was one of the most imteresting birding days I have had in the past few weeks. Our first stop was along Guthrie Road in Stuart's Draft where we were looking for Horned Larks and some species that are often found with them. We only saw two Horned Larks there, and our first of six Red-tailed Hawks of the day.
Horned Lark
Our next stop was at Willow Lake in Raphine. We saw Canada Geese, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, and Gadwalls. The Mute Swans we saw there last Janurary 22 were still there, in addition to a Snow Goose.
Mute Swan
Snow Goose
Snow Goose
This Mallard seemed to be having a goood time!
There was an unusual looking duck swimming with an American Black Duck. Our best guess is that it was a hybrid Mallard, perhaps with some Gadwall in its genes.
Unusual looking duck
We continued on and near New Providence Road where we saw a few woodland and field birds, more Red-tailed Hawks, and American Kestrels. One of the Red-tailed Hawks was missing some serious feathers!
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrels
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Belted Kingfisher
And then we stopped when we saw a large accipiter perched in a tree. Perhaps it looked so large because it had its feathers fluffed. We weren't sure if it was a juvenile Cooper's Hawk, or perhaps a juvenile Northern Goshawk, but most of the comments I have received are that it was a Cooper's.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
As we continued on to the north and towards Swoope, we saw more Kestrels and Hawks. One of the Red-tailed Hawks had a very dark head.
Red-tailed Hawk
Soon after we crossed into Augusta County,we stopped to take a look at out first, and only, Red-shouldered Hawk of the day.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Farther up the road, we saw another Red-tailed Hawk that had very black belly bands.
Red-tailed Hawk
Once in Swoope, we stopped at Smith Lake where we have permission to go birding. At the far western edge of the lake, there must have been about 200 or more Canada Geese, and an equal number of ducks. In the field, all I saw were Mallards. As I approached, all of these ducks and geese took flight, although I didn't think that I was close enough to spook them. After processing the photos, I also found Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teals in the airborne flocks.
Mallards
Note the size difference between Mallards and the Green-winged Teal
Northern Pintails
And then I saw why the geese and ducks flew. A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was on the hunt close to where they were swimming.
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile Cooper's Hawk
It was getting late, so we decided to call it a day. As we drove along Hewitt Road, we saw lots of Starlings and Eastern Meadowlarks.
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlark
We stopped along the road where we had seen Red-headed Woodpeckers on previous trips to Swoope. A Red-tailed Hawk flew from the woods, over our heads, and landed in a nearby tree.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
This hawk took off again, and I could see a lump in its gullet. I don't know it had swallowed a large meal or had a tumor.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
As this Red-tailed Hawk was circling to gain altitude, another raptor flew in. It was a female Northern Harrier.
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
Wow! What a day, but we didn't know that we weren't done yet. I turned off my camera and put on its lens cap as we got onto Route 262 and headed for I-81. Less than a minute later, we drove by a Merlin that was preched along the road, but the traffic was too busy and it was getting late, so we didn't go back for a photo. As we were driving on I-64 east, near Fishersville, we drove under a utility line that had a Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on it! That made six raptor species for the day, not counting Turkey Vultures. Glad that we decided not to go north on Route 340 for the day!