Black-throated Green Warbler
There was more rain last night followed by dense fog in the mountains this morning. But the fog started to clear, and I thought to give it a try. I got up to Route 610 around 9:30, but it was still foggy. I continued up onto the parkway where it was a bit clearer, but the treetops were still in the fog, and the few birds I did see were mostly foraging in ground vegetation and a good distance from the parkway. I logged 15 avian species there this morning.
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Indigo Bunting
I decided to try Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro where I added another 15 avian species to my day list, but not a single warbler there.
Pileated Woodpecker
Juvenile Eastern Bluebird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird going after a small fly.
The weather cleared, but I had morning errands, and didn't get up to Route 610 until 10:50. There was too much traffic on the parkway, so I didn't even try there, and 610 was also busy with cars, trucks, and bicycles. I did end up with 22 avian species, including 3 warbler species, but Hooded was heard only.
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Scarlet Tanager and Eastern Wood-Pewee
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
I watched a Red-eyed Vireo swallow a berry the wrong way, bring it back up, and swallow it again.
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
The weather was fine this morning, so I headed back up to the parkway. I knew that Sunday traffic would make the parkway busy by mid-morning, so I went first to the south end of the cirque, and decided to go onto Route 610 later. But the cirque was quiet except for a few non-warbler species, so I drove to the Humpback Rocks picnic area to turn around. On the back loop there, I saw a few mmore avian species, including a first fall female Chestnut-sided Warbler. I ended up with 10 avian species on the parkway, and another 7 avian species on Route 610, but that Chestnut-sided Warbler ws the only warbler I saw or heard all morning.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler