Palm Warbler
I got a late start this morning, as I was on the phone wishing farewell and safe travels to my long time birding buddy, Walt Childs. Walt and his wife are moving to Arizona today. I've learned a lot about birding from Walt during the past decade, and it is greatly appreciated. Walt is a past president of the Augusta County Bird Club, and although he doesn't keep a formal bird list, he estimates his life list at about 4,000 avian species, including 158 hummingbird species. Walt has been birding for so many years that many of his lists are hand written notes in various field guides, and he hasn't bothered with compiling a single list.
I went first to the trail along the golf course pond and fairway #1, as I wanted to see if I could re-locate the Vesper Sparrow that I saw there yesterday. Right off the bat, I had 4 warbler species. One of them was a Nashville, and I am always trying to get a good photo of this species showing its deep chesnut cap that is difficult to see, especially in fall plumage.
Palm Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
There were lots of birds up there, including 5 sparrow species: Song, Field, Savannah, White-throated, and a pair of Vesper Sparrows. Note the bold eye ring, rufous lesser coverts, and white outer tail feathers on the Vesper Sparrows.
Downy Woodpecker
Tennessee Warbler and Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Next stop was Western Park. Our nutty, juvenile Great Blue Heron was "fishing" in the tall grasses along the trail again. I saw another Tennessee Warbler, and added a few more species, including House and Lincoln's Sparrows.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Lincoln's Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-shouldered Hawk
I ended my 2-1/2 hour hike along Slabtown Branch Creek. I was almost ready to head for home when I saw a small, mixed flock.
Blue-headed Vireo
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
And I got my 8th sparrow species of the day, giving me 33 avian species for the hike.
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Today's list:
Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Blue-headed Vireo
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow