Blue Ridge Parkway, VA 8/20/2019

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

It's about a week early for warbler migration, but I wanted to see if last night's storm blew any early migrants into the area. I got a late start up on the parkway (10 to noon), but ended up with 17 avian species including 4 warbler species. I saw an Ovenbird at the lower, north end of the cirque (mm. 7.5) and a Worm-eating Warbler and two female (or one female and one juvenile) Black-throated Blue Warblers at the upper, sound end ot the cirque. The first two warbler species have been breeding in those areas, but the BTBs must have been early migrants. A Hooded Warbler was singing its dawn song about 50 yards north of Hickory Springs Overlook where I have seen/heard it every time I have been there since spring.

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Ovenbird

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Worm-eating Warbler

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Black-throated Blue Warbler

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Black-throated Blue Warbler

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Female Eastern Towhee

I saw a Chipping Sparrow that must have been an immature bird just getting its adult plumage, as it had a yellow lower mandible. There were lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, so they must be on the move.

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Chipping Sparrow


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