Wood Ducks
It was cold and misty this morning, and with heavy rain possible at any moment, I decided to stay close to home and do some birding here in Old Trail. I started off along Slabtown Branch Creek near my house, and checked in on the two Wood Ducks that have been hanging out in a secluded pond between the Trail and the junior high school. Wood Ducks are easily spooked by people, and usually either hide or take to flight. This morning, I saw at least 9 Wood Ducks there. They didn't get spooked, and I assume that they couldn't believe that anyone would be crazy enough to be out birding in this weather, so I must not have been a person!
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
I continued on my hike, and ended up with 33 avian species, even in this poor weather. The only warbler I saw was one of the summer resident Yellow Warblers.
Yellow Warbler
I did get lucky this morning. As I was hiking on the trail along the wetlands in Western Park, I heard an Alder Flycatcher, my Old Trail avian species #142. This species is a rare spring transient anywhere in Virginia. We do get a few similar looking Willow Flycatchers, so I thought it prudent to record the Alder's song. I saw it quickly fly from dense tree cover to catch a fly, and then it disappeared back into the trees. I heard it several times again, but it took another 20 to 30 minutes before I could see it again and get a few photos (a bit grainy given the weather conditions).
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher
Alder Flycatcher