Rockfish Valley Trail, VA, 10/19/15

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

The temperature was even colder this morning than yesterday. The National Weather Service officially declared the growing season in Nelson County as over for the year, and leaves were coming down everywhere. I wasn't able to get over to the trail until 10:00 a.m., but had 18 avian species in about 1-1/2 hours. The tall grasses on the west side of Reids Creek between the end of the downstream trail and the bog area were loaded with sparrows, but the tall grasses also made it a challenge to see and photograph them. A few Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a Blue-headed Vireo were in the same area. Across from this area on the east side of Reids Creek, the triangular grass patch had several Song Sparrows and a small flock of Palm Warblers.


Blue-headed Vireo


Blue-headed Vireo


Blue-headed Vireo


Ruby-crowned Kinglet


Song Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


Palm Warbler


Palm Warbler


Red-bellied Woodpecker


Downy Woodpecker


Downy Woodpecker

This morning's bird list:

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Mockingbird
Palm Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Common Grackle
American Goldfinch



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