White-crowned Sparrow
We finally had some decent weather here in central Virginia. It was cool but sunny this morning, and warmer than normal this afternoon. I had an early afternoon appointment, so I didn't have time to travel for birding. This morning, I hiked here in Old Trail and saw 20 avian species, and this didn't include 15 species that I often see here in the winter, or another 10 to 15 avian species that I sometimes see here in the winter months. The sparrows were a real treat to see.
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-shouldered Hawk
Northern Cardinal
While I was hiking in Western Park here in Old Trail, a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker almost took my head off as it flew to a nearby tree next to the community garden. This was the same tree where I saw a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in February 2017.
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (February 2017)
I saw a Nortern Mockingbird perched with its tail feathers spread open - neat to see!
Northern Mockingbird
My 20th species of the morning was a Great Blue Heron.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
After my early afternoon appointment, I went back out here in Old Trail, and birded some spots that I had missed in the morning. Although it wasn't very "birdy," I added 8 more avian species for the day, bringing my day list to 28 species. I saw both of our resident Red-shouldered Hawks in flight.
Red-shouldered Hawks
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
I saw a House Finch that appeared to be a female, but had a reddish rump patch. I saw a similar House Finch in Bridgewater a few days ago with a yellow rump patch, and I wonder if these birds are immature males just starting to get their adult plumage.
House Finch
Today's list:
Canada Goose (afternoon only)
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture (afternoon only)
Turkey Vulture (afternoon only)
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow (afternoon only)
Fish Crow
Common Raven (afternoon only)
Carolina Chickadee
Winter Wren (afternoon only)
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (afternoon only)
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Field Sparrow (afternoon only)
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
House Sparrow