It was great weather for birding today. I arrived at the parkway at 9:00 a.m. under bright blue, cloudless skies, light winds, and tempertures in the lower 60s. Route 610 between mm. 2 and mm. 4 of the parkway was really quiet, as well as deep in tree canopy shadows. The lower, north end of the parkway cirque (mm 7.5) was also quiet, but the higher, south end was active. I logged 15 avian species there. Warblers were a first fall female Black and White (note the buffy flanks) and a quick look at a Worm-eating Warbler.
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
There were a couple of Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, and a single Yellow-throated Vireo.
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireos
Yellow-throated Vireo
I saw at least one, possibly two, Scarlet Tanagers.
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
There were several immature Indigo Buntings in various phases of plumage, and some common woodland species.
Indigo Bunting
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Wood-Pewee
I saw a bird low in the vegetation that may have been an immature Eastern Towhee, but I am not sure. It may have had white on its wing edges (see inset).
Eastern Towhee(?)
I added five more avian species at the Hickory Springs Overlook (m. 12), including an immature Eastern Towhee and the Hooded Warbler that has been near the north end of the overlook (by the overlook ahead sign).
Immature Eastern Towhee
Hooded Warbler
Red-tailed Hawk
I heard a Common Raven on my way back on the parkway, giving me 21 avian species there this morning. I then hiked a bit at nearby Ridgeview Park and added 5 more avian species to my daylist, but no warblers, and a Cooper's Hawk along I-64.