Rockfish Valley, VA 4/20/15

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

Rockfish Valley Trail

Heavy rain during the night forced the Rockfish River out of its banks under the route 151 bridge, and the trail was wet and water-logged in places. The sun and temperature made it a warm and muggy morning. Although I ended up with 24 avian species on the trail, it was fairly quiet for a late April morning, especially compared with previous years. I did see my FOS Common Yellowthroat (my ninth warbler species this spring), and my FOS Eastern Kingbird.


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Common Yellowthroat


Eastern Bluebird


Chipping Sparrow


Yellow-rumped Warbler

Stoney Creek (Wintergreen)

I did a little birding late morning near my home in Stoney Creek. Most of the birds were common species, and a Black Ratsnake saw me and then climbed a small tree to see what I might be doing.


White-throated Sparrow


Black Ratsnake


Black Ratsnake


Black Ratsnake

The highlight of the day for me happened near the start of my Stoney Creek hike. As soon as I walked into view of the Sawmill Creek #3 pond, I saw a couple of white objects in a tree across the pond. They were Great Egrets. And then I saw a third one in the same tree, and then a fourth Great Egret lower down in the same tree. I occasionally see a single Great Egret in the Rockfish Valley during migration, but four of them together is highly unusual. Last night's rain must have forced this small flock down for the night.


Great Egret


Great Egret


Two Great Egrets


Three Great Egrets


Great Egret


Great Egret

The Egrets were in a tree near a house that was being worked on, and when one of the workmen dropped a board with a loud crash, the Egrets flew to the other end of the pond.


Great Egret


Great Egrets


Four Great Egrets



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