Hermit Thrush
Before I post my report for my first birding trip of March 2015, I'd like to share a few photos from February 26, 2015. I took a short hike here in Stoney Creek (Wintergreen), and a pair of really little Hermit Thrushes at the end of my street captured my attention.
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Walt Childs and I went to Swoope southwest of Staunton, Virginia, to look for raptors. We saw both of the resident Bald Eagles, one in the nest and the other not far away. We also saw a few American Kestrels.
Bald Eagle
American Kestrel
On our second visit to Smith Lake for the day, we were hiking along the southern edge of the lake, when a large flock of Canada Geese, some Mallards, and a few Green-winged Teals took flight.
Mallard
Green-winged Teals
A raptor was flying fast from the west, and we quickly saw that it was a Peregrine Falcon that had spooked the water fowl.
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The falcon circled back and perched in a tree a couple of hundred yards to the southwest of the lake, and then all was quiet, so we headed back to the east. We made a detour in Stuart's Draft, and one of the local ponds had Canada Geese, Redheads, Canvasbacks, and a few Wood Ducks.
Redheads and Canvasbacks
Wood Duck
As I drove up Crawford's Knob in Stoney Creek to drop Walt off at his house, he said that we might see some of the Wild Turkeys that have been hanging around his house. Sure enough, we saw five of them.
Wild Turkey