Chipping Sparrow and Song Sparrow
A nor'easter winter storm moved up the east coast yesterday. The forecast was for 4 to 6 inches of snow here in Crozet, but we got only a little snow plus a lot of sleet and ice. When I went out this morning, it was overcast and 32 degrees, and a lot of the ice had not yet melted. Birds were foraging wherever they could. I started off hiking around the golf course pond. Chipping Sparrows are common from spring through autumn, but rare during the winter in the Virginia Piedmont. However, we seem to have them here in Old Trail every winter, ranging from a few to as many as 50 or so.
Chipping Sparrow and Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Pine Siskin
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
From there, I went over to Western Park (Albemarle County park completely within Old Trail). Both of our resident Red-shouldered Hawks were there, as well as quite a few other species.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
House Sparrow
Northern Flicker
Northern Cardinal
The highlight species of the morning was Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. A female was in the park near the lodge, and a male and a juvenile near the community garden.
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Juvenile and male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
After two hours, I had 27 avian species, and could have gotten 30 or more. But I can only wear thin gloves when photographing birds, and my hands were freezing, so I headed for home.
This morning's list:
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow