Lincoln's Sparrow
There was drizzle all day yesterday, and it was cool, cloudy, and damp this morning. I had to be home between 10:00 and 10:30, so I hiked first for about 40 minutes along Slabtown Branch Creek close to my home, and had 16 avian species. Right off the bat, I saw a Lincoln's Sparrow that was banded. I don't recall ever seeing a sparrow that had been banded, and wonder how common this is. I also tried to enhance some of the banding information from my photos, and would like to know if any of the banders reading this posting can decipher the codes, and if this sighting should be reported somewhere.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow banding
I also saw a Common Yellowthroat. The Virginia "Goldbook" states a late date of October 20, so this bird was unusual to see today.
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
When I went back out at 10:30, the sky was mostly sunny. I first hiked along the golf course pond and fairway #1. There were three Ruddy Ducks and five Pied-billed Grebes in the pond.
Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Ducks
Pied-billed Grebe
Pied-billed Grebes
Sparrows seemed to be everywhere, and I saw a Cape May Warbler and a Palm Warbler.
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Cape May Warbler
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler
Across from the fairway, I saw my second Lincoln's Sparraw of the morning, and this one was very cooperative.
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
I then headed over to Western Park, and had three warbler species on the trail along the wetlands, including another Common Yellowthroat and another Palm Warbler.
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
I got my second Hermit Thrush near the community garden, and my third Lincoln's Sparrow of the day!
Hermit Thrush
White-crowned Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
I went back to Slabtown Branch Creek and added a few more species, bringing my day total to 36 avian species, including my 5th warbler species of the day.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Today's list:
Red-shouldered Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Hermit Thrush
Gray Catbird
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Crow
Pied-billed Grebe
Ruddy Duck
Eastern Bluebird
Cape May Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Palm Warbler
Eastern Phoebe
Mourning Dove
Northern Mockingbird
House Sparrow
Turkey Vulture
Tennessee Warbler
American Goldfinch
Great Blue Heron
Carolina Chickadee
Pileated Woodpecker
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-breasted Nuthatch