American Redstart
It was another scorcher with high humidity in central Virginia. I hadn't seen many warblers up on the Blue Ridge Parkway for the past few days, so I decided to try looking for them at Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir here in Crozet. I got there early with temperatures still in the low to mid 70s, with plans to head up to the parkway afterwards. Warblers can be found anywhere along the creek and reservoir, but I have had my best luck finding them in two locations. The first is actually on the Crozet Connector Trail that leads away from the main branch of Lickinghole Creek. There's a large grassy field, and at the end of the field where the wooded trail begins, there are fruit vines that attract migrating warblers. The other good warbler spot is at the far end of the marshy area where a small foot bridge crosses the marsh. Unfortunately, it's a really long hike between these two spots. I knew that viewing birds in the resevoir would be really tough, as the shoreline vegetation is so thick that there's only a view places to get a glimpse of the water. I decided to try the beginning of the Connector Trail first, and as I hiked along the grassy field, I saw two female American Redstarts. One was an adult female, and the other appeared to be a first fall female with a much darker back.
American Redstart
American Redstart
I ended up seeing/hearing 16 avian species there, but no other warblers, and the temperature was climbing rapidly.
Brown Thrasher
On the way to the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway, I added four more avian species to my day list. I got onto the parkway, and exited onto parallel Route 610 at mm. 2. I stopped part way down when I heard birds, and picked up my second warbler of the day - Hooded, as well as a few more species.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
I got back onto the parkway at mm. 4, and stopped at the large cirque (mm. 7.5). The lower, north end was really quiet, but the upper, south end was better. I heard Pewees, saw some Red-eyed Vireos, and got a few photos of a distant Cape May Warbler. I also heard two Ovenbirds in the woods, but could not see them.
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
I stopped again at Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12) where I have been seeing my "buddy," a Hooded Warbler just to the north of the overlook, and it was still there and posing for photos, as it has been for the past two weeks.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Female Eastern Towhee
I then headed back north, and got back onto Route 610 at mm. 4. It was fairly quiet, but I stopped at the old tower near mm. 2 when I heard a few birds. I got lucky. I was able to see and photograph a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher there. This species is a rare transient to central Virginia, and only the 6th one I have seen in Virginia. I did see one a few years ago on Route 610 as well, but closer to mm. 4 (September 2015).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
I made a quick stop at the hawk watch where I added two more avian species to make it 25 for the day.