Old Trail; Crozet, VA 7/9/2019

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

It is still hot here, but the humidity has dropped making it more comfortable to go birding. I hiked a bit here in Old Trail, and ended up with 26 avain species, including a few neat sightings. I started off along Western Park where I heard a Common Yellowthroat and saw two Yellow Warblers in the trees between the plateau and the soccer field. I had been seeing only one male Yellow Warbler there during the past few weeks, and could not confirm that the second one was a female, although it most likely was, and I am hoping to see litte ones. One of our recently fledged Red-shouldered Hawks was out, and crying for mama to chase away the crows that kept harassing it.

Photo Unavailable
Yellow Warbler

Photo Unavailable
Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk

Photo Unavailable
Chipping Sparrow

Photo Unavailable
Gray Catbird

Photo Unavailable
Female Northern Flicker

My next stop was at the golf course pond along hole #1. I was really surprised to see a male Ruddy Duck in full breeding plumage. The Virginia "Goldbook" lists only four summer records in the Virginia Piedmont.

Photo Unavailable
Male Ruddy Duck

Photo Unavailable
Male Ruddy Duck

Photo Unavailable
Male Ruddy Duck

Photo Unavailable
Male Ruddy Duck

My last stop was the trail along Slabtown Branch Creek near my house. A female Wood Duck was in the small pond between the creek and the hills going up to the schools.

Photo Unavailable
Female Wood Duck

I also saw a deer, rabbit, and a groundhog, as well as lots of butterfly, dragonfly, and grasshopper species. Eastern Cicada Killers (Ground Hornets) are now out in full force. They are big and look dangerous, but they won't sting a person unless you try to catch or hurt one.

Photo Unavailable
Cicada

Photo Unavailable
Eastern Cicada Killer


E-mail comments on this report

Return to blog page home