Male Blackpoll Warbler
Sometimes, I don't mind being proven wrong. A few days ago, I wrote in a report that it was unlikely that I would see any more migrating warbler species this spring, and would have to travel longer distances to summer breeding grounds for the warbler species I hadn't yet seen in 2020. It's near the end of the spring migration, and with rain forecasted all week, I was going to have to settle with my current 2020 warbler species count for a while. But when I awoke this morning, the forecast for rain had been pushed back to late this afternoon, even though there was heavy cloud cover. So I headed out around 9:00 a.m. When I left my home in Crozet, I couldn't see the Blue Ridge Mountains because of the clouds, and planned to go first to Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro. But when I got to the summit on I-64, the clouds were overhead, but the ground level was clear, so I changed my mind and went first along Route 610.
My first stop was at the old tower. I heard Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, and American Redstarts. I got off a few photos, and then heard a Blackpoll Warbler. I hadn't seen this warbler species yet in 2020, and its peak migration through central Virginia is in early May, but can still be found through the first few days of June. So I looked and looked, and finally found it high up in the trees - my 22nd warbler species in 2020. I'd rather be up on the Blue Ridge Parkway looking down or at eye level with the warblers, but I am not complaining!
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Male Blackpoll Warbler
Female Cerulean Warbler
A minute later, fog rolled in. I was lucky to see the Blackpoll Warbler. I continued south on Route 610, and after a few minutes was once again in the clear with heavy clouds above. I logged all 7 of the breeding warbler species there, but only heard multiple Hooded, Black and White, and Worm-eating Warblers.
Male American Redstart
First spring male American Redstart
Ovenbirds
Pine Warbler
Wood Thrush
Wood Thrush
By the time I left Route 610, I had logged 23 avian species. I headed down to Ridgeview Park and added 11 more avian species, but no more warblers.
Common Grackle
Brown Thrasher
I had a close encounter with a Black Ratsnake, and when zooming in on the photo of its eye, you can see my silhouette taking its photo.
Black Ratsnake
Black Ratsnake
It started to rain at 12:30, and I headed for home.