Tennessee Warbler
I had a 10:00 appointment in "downtown" Crozet, and got to Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir at 10:30. I started off with a short hike on the Crozet Connector Trail, and saw a few species, including a Tennessee Warbler and a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks.
Tennessee Warbler
Red-shouldered Hawk
Gray Catbird
I was happy to see the Tennessee Warbler and wondered if I might see a few more migrating warblers on this hike. I hiked along Lickinghole Creek towards the reservoir, and just before getting to the left turn towards the reservoir, I saw an Ovenbird close to the trail.
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
When I got to the sharp left turn to hike down to the reservoir, I checked out the trees along the creek there. They were loaded with warblers! All of the warblers were 5 to 15 feet from me, and didn't mind it a bit that I was taking photo after photo.
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
After 20 minutes, I did something that I rarely do. I walked away, even with all these warblers close by. I had already taken 300 close-up photos of these warblers, wasn't seeing any other warbler species, and knew that I had a lot of photo-processing ahead of me. I hiked all the way down to the marshy area, and saw a few more warblers by the wooden bridge.
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Nashville Warbler
I hiked a bit farther, and then returned. I saw a Pied-billed Grebe in the reservoir, Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes, and another flock of 3 or 4 Tennessee Warblers.
Pied-billed Grebe
Gray-cheeked Thrush
Swainson's Thrush
When I got back to the turn to the creek, some of the warblers were still in those trees, along with a Blue-headed Vireo. I counted at least 5 Cape May warblers. I couldn't help myself, and took another 200 close-up photos!
Tennessee Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Blue-headed Vireo
Near the end of my hike, I saw another Blue-headed Vireo and ended the hike with 29 avian species. It was a fun hike!
Blue-headed Vireo