Pine Warbler
I usually start mid-April looking for warblers up on the first 14 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and along Route 610 between mm. and mm. 4 of the parkway. But there's not enough vegetation to support warblers at those elevations until the last week of April or first week of May. I started out on the parkway, and got onto 610 at mm. 2, and then took 610 to mm. 4 of the parkway, turned around, and took 610 all the way to Rockfish Gap (BRParkway mm. 0). I only saw 16 avian species. Pine Warblers were already in their breeding area near mm. 3-1/2, but that was the only warbler species I saw. Some of the mountain wildflowers were starting to bloom.
Pine Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Bloodroot
I decided to try Ridgeview Park in nearby Waynesboro. The wooded area of this park seems to green-up with vegetation earlier than most of the lower elevations in the nearby area. If you want to see Virginia Bluebells, this is the month and place to see them. But by late morning when I arrived, there weren't many birds, and I added only 8 species to my morning bird list.
Virginia Bluebells
Red-shouldered Hawk
I decided to look for warblers here in Old Trail this morning. I saw a Pine Warbler and heard another one, and saw my first Common Yellowthroat here in Old Trail for 2022. It was good to see that a few of the Swamp Sparrows are still around.
Pine Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
I ended up with 25 avian species here in Old Trail this morning, and saw two Common Garter Snakes along the Lindy Bain Loop Trail. Although I have seen Garter Snakes in Old Trail before, this was the first time I saw two of them in the same day.
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake