Crozet, VA 1/19-20/2020

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

It's been sunny here after a cold front moved into the area, but with temperatures at or below freezing with brisk winds, it did feel a bit blustery. At least the path through the Western Park wetlands was frozen enough to be passable.

January 19

I hiked in Western park and along the golf course pond, and then hiked down to where a Great Horned Owl had been reported. I didn't find the owl, but ended up with 18 avian species. A pair of Gadwalls had joined the female Common Merganser and Canada Geese in the pond.

Photo Unavailable
Gadwalls, Common Merganser, and Canada Geese

Photo Unavailable
Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Swamp Sparrow

Photo Unavailable
Northern Flicker

Photo Unavailable
Hermit Thrush

January 20

I hiked the same route this morning. It was even colder than yesterday. Both resident Red-shouldered Hawks were out. One was in Western Park and the other by the golf course pond. The Gadwalls and Canada Geese were gone, but the female Common Merganser was swimming by herself in the pond. Well, that answered one question for me. Every time I have seen the Common Merganser since last December 2, there had been at least one Canada Goose in the pond as well, and I didn't know if the Common Merganser was following the geese or was on its own. I ended up with 15 avian species today, including a few that I didn't see yesterday.

Photo Unavailable
Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Common Merganser

Photo Unavailable
Common Merganser and Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Song Sparrow

Photo Unavailable
Carolina Wren


E-mail comments on this report

Return to blog page home