Crozet, VA, 4/7- 8/19

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

Old Trail; April 7

I hiked a bit here in Old Trail in the early afternoon under mostly cloudy skies. Even at this time of day, I was able to log 25 avian species, including 3 Red-shouldered Hawks.

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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Red-shouldered Hawk

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Eastern Bluebird gathering nesting materials

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Northern Rough-winged Swallow

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Northern Rough-winged Swallow

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Tree Swallow

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House Sparrow

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Northern Flicker

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Northern Cardinal

Field Sparrows were singing from several locations.

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Field Sparrow

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Field Sparrow

There were four Wood Ducks in a small pond near the schools.

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Wood Ducks

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Wood Ducks

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Wood Ducks

The Albemarle Western Park is completely within Old Trail, and the county plans to develop a large portion of it from grassy wetlands to playgrounds. Seven deer were at the base of the plateau where construction is slated to begin this spring.

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Deer

Our local "Nessie," a 3+ foot long snapping turtle re-appeared in the golf course pond. I hadn't seen it since last summer.

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Snapping turtle

Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir, Crozet Connector Trail; April 8

Before getting out this morning, I photographed a large American Toad on our front steps here in Old Trail.

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American Toad

The weather forecast was for rain today, but the rain was pushed to the afternoon, so I went over to Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir this morning, and also hiked a little on the adjacent Crozet Connector Trail. It was a good day for birding, but not for photography. I ended the morning with 29 avian species there, including 11 species I had not seen yesterday, giving me a two day total of 36 avian species here in Crozet, including 3 First Of Year species for me; Green Heron, Solitary Sandpiper, and Bonaparte's Gull. Many of the flying birds were distant or brightly backlit, or I was viewing them through dense vegetation. An Osprey was flying over the reservoir, and was quickly chased away by one of the resident Bald Eagles.

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Osprey

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Bald Eagle

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Bonaparte's Gull

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Solitary Sandpiper

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Green Heron

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Great Blue Heron

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Northern Cardinal

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Red-shouldered Hawk

The turtles at the reservoir were out enjoying the warm spring weather, and a Garter Snake was on the Crozet Connector Trail.

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Turtles

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Garter Snake


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