Walt Childs and I hadn't been out to Swoope in the Shenandoah Valley since early July, and wanted to see what might be there. We also stopped at Smith Lake while in Swoope, which is on private property, and where we have permission to go birding. Please note that the new owners of that property have expressed that they value their privacy, and don't want birders coming on their property without their expressed permission. We ended up with 41 avian species in Swoope, including a few surpises.
Common Grackle
Killdeer
Northern Harrier
American Kestrels
Belted Kingfishers
Turkey Vulture
Wood Ducks
Downy Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
A Red-shouldered Hawk along Cattleman Road was very cooperative.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
We saw 7 sparrow species, including a Vesper Sparrow. I hadn't seen a Vesper Sparrow for a few years, and it was a treat to find it.
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
We saw 3 Red-tailed Hawks, but none of them were close by.
Red-tailed Hawk
Both of us felt that we had a successful outing, and started our way back to east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just before leaving Swoope, we stopped when we saw a weird looking bird. It was an almost totally leucistic Red-tailed Hawk. Just as I got out of the car to take some more photos, a fast driving car went by, and the hawk took to flight.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Well, that was neat to see, and a great way to end the outing!