We had severe weather Sunday evening (4/14) through early Monday morning (4/15), including thunderstorms, high winds, and even a tornado warning. I wondered what avian species might have taken shelter here in Crozet, and on Monday morning, went first to the Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir (LC&R). But there were sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph, and even higher gusts. Many of the smaller birds were hunkered down, and I only logged 22 avian species there. I didn't see any Bald Eagles, but there most likely was one in the nest and out of sight. I then went over to the King Family Vineyards (KFV) where I saw a pair of Wood Ducks, a pair of Northern Shovelers, and two Blue-winged Teals. It was still quite windy in the afternoon when I hiked here in Old Trail, and added five more avian species to my day list, bringing it to 30 species, including my first of year Barn Swallow.
On Tuesday morning (4/16), the winds had settled down, and I hiked here in Old Trail, and logged 33 avian species. I saw my first Green Heron of the year here in Old Trail, although I had seen one at Lickinghole Creek and Reservor on Monday, and one there during the previous week. I saw my first of year Eastern Kingbird, but it was quite far away.
I hiked here in Old Trail on Wednesday morning (4/17), and had 35+ avian species, including three Purple Finches. This species is not rare in central Virginia, but I hadn't seen one all winter long. My three day list here in Crozet totaled 50 avian species, and there are a handful of additional species that I usually see, but missed. All of the following photos were taken this week in Old Trail, unless otherwise noted as taken elsewhere on Monday.
Pied-billed Grebe (LC&R)
Killdeer and Solitary Sandpiper (LC&R)
Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teals (KFV)
Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teals (KFV)
Wood Duck
Wood Ducks
Green Heron
Green Heron
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (LC&R)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eastern Bluebird
Barn Swallow
Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows
Blue Jay
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Carolina Wren
Eastern Kingbird
Northern Flicker
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker
Female Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finches
House Finch
Pine Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Three-day Crozet list (50 avian species):
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Pied-billed Grebe
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Blue Jay
American Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Louisiana Waterthrush
Pine Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow