Cerulean Warbler
Now that spring migration is almost over, the Blue Ridge Parkway was finally re-opened this morning between Rockfish Gap (mm. 0) and Reid's Gap (mm. 13.5). I knew that it would be jammed with people on this long holiday weekend, so I wanted to get up there before it was so crowded that birding would be impossible. I went straight to my favorite two warbler sites. My first stop was at both the lower (north) end and upper (south) end of the large cirque near mm. 7.5. I saw five warbler species there: Cerulean, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Black and White, and Worm-eating, as well as Red-eyed Vireos and a Yellow-throated Vireo.
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
My second stop was at Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12) where I logged 6 warbler species: Cerulean, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Black and White, Hooded, and Chestnut-sided, as well as more Red-eyed Vireos and a Scarlet Tanager.
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
I then went to 3 Ridges Overlook (mm. 13), but didn't stop as work vehicles were parked there. As I drove along the parkway, I heard and saw lots of woodland species as well as a few other critters, but didn't stop for birds as the parkway was jammed.
Mating Swallowtails
Millipede
When I got back to mm. 4, I got off the parkway and onto Route 610, where I heard 5 warbler species (Cerulean, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Black and White, and Worm-eating), and stopped for my 8th warbler species of the day - Pine Warbler.
Pine Warbler
All of these warbler species breed along there, except possibly for the Chestnut-sided that I haven't seen there for the entire breeding season for several years. Perhaps the closure of the parkway had provided enough peace and quiet that the Chestnut-sided Warbler might stick around. That is, unless the Park Service wrecks birding there for the entire summer now that this section of the parkway has re-opened. From the Park Service web site:
The National Park Service announced on April 30, 2020, that over 80 miles of the historic motor route in three primary areas in Virginia will be resurfaced as part of a pavement preservation program on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Prep work has begun in all areas and resurfacing is expected to start in mid-May and continue through November of 2020, with no work scheduled during October. Work locations, within scheduled project areas, will change weekly, and visitors in active work zone areas should expect single lane closures and delays. The National Park Service appreciates the public's patience and cooperation during this project.
Work will take place on the following sections of Parkway, and includes the paved road-side pullouts:
Milepost 0 to 27, Northern Terminus to Whetstone Ridge (27 miles)
Sigh . . .