Gray Tree Frog
We had an inch of rain overnight here in Crozet, and before heading out, I saw a Gray Tree Frog perched on our front lawn lamp post. I guess it was just trying to dry out.
Gray Tree Frog
The forecast was for hot and muggy weather today, so I decided to go up on the Blue Ridge Parkway where the higher elevations meant cooler temperatures. I hadn't been up there for three weeks, and was curious as to what warblers I might find. I didn't expect to hear males singing to attract mates so late in June, but perhaps there might be some recently fledged juveniles out with mama and papa. At a minimum, nesting/breeding species should be out foraging to bring food to little ones still in the nest. I have seen 6 warbler species this spring that are probably nesting along the first 12 miles of the parkway: American Redstart, Black and White, Cerulean, Hooded, Ovenbird, and Worm-eating. It was mostly sunny when I started on the parkway, but a bit windier than I had expected. My first stop was at the large cirque near mm. 7.5. The lower north end was quiet, but all 6 warbler species were active at the upper south end of the cirque.
At first, all I saw was a female American Redstart, although I could hear a Cerulean singing, and two Ovenbirds were calling to each other.
Female American Redstart
I heard some commotion about 20 feet away. Four female American Redstarts were discussing territorial rights. One of them might have been a first year male.
Female American Redstarts
A Worm-eating Warbler joined the group, and then one of the Redstarts left.
Worm-eating Warbler and female American Redstarts
Worm-eating Warbler and female American Redstarts
Another Redstart left, then the last one left, leaving the Worm-eating Warbler by itself.
Worm-eating Warbler and female American Redstart
Less than a minute later, a male Hooded Warbler popped up near me to show off its catch.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
And then I saw two Black and White Warblers.
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
I got a poor photo of a male Cerulean, and couldn't see the Ovenbirds I was hearing, so I moved on to my other favorite spot there - Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12). There were American Redstarts, Hooded Warblers, and Cerulean Warblers.
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male American Redstart
Female American Redstart
And then I got lucky. Seeing male Cerulean Warblers is not much of a challenge there, but seeing a female is tough. They are usually on or near the nest. I heard a male Cerulean singing, and lower down in the same tree was a female.
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
I turned back and stopped at the cirque again, but this time it was fairly quiet, so I continued north. I exited the parkway near mm. 4, and took parallel Route 610 before getting back onto the parkway near mm. 2. I stopped at the old tower on Route 610, where there were more American Redstarts, Cerulean Warblers, and Ovenbirds.
Male American Redstart
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
And one of the Ceruleans there was a female.
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
In addition to the 6 warbler species, I logged 10 other avian species on the parkway: Common Raven, American Crow, Turkey Vulture, American Goldfinch, Carolina Chickadee, Eastern Towhee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, and Indigo Bunting. Not a bad summer morning of birding!