White-rumped Sandpiper
There were reports of two White-rumped Sandpipers in a farm pond in Mt Crawford. This would be a life bird for me, so I asked Walt Childs if he wanted to go there with me, and then look for warblers on Skyline Drive. When we got to the pond, it was sunny but very windy, and the pond was a good distance from where we could observe without going onto private property. We saw several shorebird species there, but all of them were a challenge to identify because of the wind and the distance. There were a few Killdeers with little ones, two Spotted Sandpipers, two Least Sandpipers, and at least one White-rumped Sandpiper (my life bird # 639). Other species such as Mallards, three swallow species, and several others were there as well.
White-rumped Sandpiper
Killdeers
Least and Spotted Sandpipers
Least and Spotted Sandpipers
Least Sandpipers
Our first stop was at Pocosin Cabin north of Route 33. At the parking area, we saw two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and I heard an unusual call. It was a Least Flycatcher - this species nested in the same area last summer.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Least Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
A female Hooded Warbler flew across the path right in front of us, and we saw several American Redstarts. A female Redstart was collecting tent catepillar strands for her nest.
American Redstart
American Redstart
We head a Veery and a Raven, and saw Gray Catbirds, American Goldfinches, Blue-headed Vireos, and Red-eyed Vireos.
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
We stopped a couple of miles south of Route 33 where we heard Kentucky and Cerulean Warblers, but were not able to locate them. Loft Mountain had only a few birds, but a Hooded Warbler came close to us.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Our last stop was at Sawmill Ridge Overlook - a good place to see a Pine Warbler.
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler