After all the windy days during the past couple of weeks, the wind was forecasted to be calmer today, but as the sun rose and warmed the atmosphere, the winds once agin picked up. Walt Childs and I ventured out into Augusta County to look for owls and other birds we could find. We started off on our usual route on Strickley Road and made our way along mostly back roads to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. Many of the smaller birds were hunkered down and staying out of the wind, but we did see lark flocks of Common Grackles, Starlings, and Red-winged Blackbirds.
Common Grackle
Male (L) and female (R) American Kestrels
Wood Ducks
While driving west on Cline River Road, we saw a distant Bald eagle, and then encountered a very dark Red-tailed Hawk. It was most likely a "northern race" Red-tailed.
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
We saw a Red-shouldered Hawk fly away from where we were driving on Craig Shop Road, and then another one perched on a pole at the airport.
Red-shouldered Hawks
We decided to drive south to Swoope, and along the way saw more Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels.
Red-tailed Hawk
As soon as we got to Swoope, we saw a pair of Red-tailed Hawks, and more American Kestrels.
Red-tailed Hawk
Male (R) and female (L) American Kestrels
There weren't many birds at Smith Lake, but an American Crow was chasing yet another Red-tailed Hawk far to the west. We saw one of the resident Bald Eagles in its nest, but didn't see its mate.
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
As we drove around Swoope, we saw even more Red-tailed Hawks, some being chased by American Crows, a high-flying adult Cooper's Hawk, and a first year male Northern Harrier with its meal.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Harrier
We saw several Black and Turkey Vultures, and one of the Turkey Vultures had the whitest flight feathers I have every seen on this species. Perhaps it was just the sun angle that made silvery gray look so white??
Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vulture
As we were on our way out of Swoope along Hewitt Road, we saw two more American Kestrels and a female Northern Harrier.
Female American Kestrel
Female American Kestrel
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier
We decided to drive along Bell's Lane north of Staunton on the return trip, where we saw a few woodland species, another first year male Northern Harrier, another American Kestrel, and one more Red-tailed Hawk.
Carolina Wren
Female American Kestrel
Northern Harrier
Although we didn't see any owls, we did end up with 30+ avian species for the day, including Bald Eagles (2), Red-tailed Hawks (14), Red-shouldered Hawks (2), Cooper's Hawk (1), Northern Harriers (3), and American Kestrels (14).