Northern Parula
After doing a lot of warbler photography during May in central Virginia and southeast Arizona, I was up to 30 warbler species photographed in 2021. I still needed 15 other warbler species that can be seen in Virginia, and I usually get to photograph all but a few of them each year. Thus, I have a good chance of surpassing my 2019 high of 40 warbler species photographed in a single calendar year.
With 30 already on my 2021 list, I asked Tink Moyer if he wanted to go up to Reddish Knob in the Allegehny Mountains with me, where I had a good chance of getting 3 more warbler species, and possibly a few more if I were really lucky. I can usually find Northern Parulas, Canada Warblers, and Black-throated Green Warblers there, with the last one being the surest bet for success.
Soon after passing the Briery Branch Reservoir, we stopped at the small bridge where I often find Northern Parulas, and sure enough, got # 31 for 2021.
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
About half way up to the four road intersection, there's a good spot that always seems to have lots of birds. We heard a Hooded Warbler in the woods, and saw a Pine Warbler, a Black-throated-blue Warbler, a Black and White Warbler, and an Ovenbird, as well as a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Pine Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black-throated-blue Warbler
Ovenbird
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
As we approached the four road intersection, I heard Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers. That spot, and just above it on the road up to the summit, are always good for these two species, as well as other warbler species. Two Black-throated Green Warblers were flitting around in the trees and calling to each other, but as hard as I tried, I couldn't see either of them. We turned the corner up towards the summit, and while I saw another Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warblers were not to be found.
Black-throated-blue Warbler
Indigo Bunting
Farther up the road, we got our first Chestnut-sided Warbler of the day.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
About a quarter mile from the summit, there's another road that turns to the right, and that intersection is a good place for Canada Warblers, and I got # 32 for 2021.
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
Canada Warbler
We went down the road to the right, as it's another good area for Black-throated Green Warblers. We saw another Chestnut-sided Warbler, and another Ovenbird, but no Black-throated Greens.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
When we got back to the four road intersection, we went up FR 85 in the other direction. A Mourning Warbler had been reported there. We saw male amd female American Redstarts and Chestnut-sided Warblers.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
American Redstart
I ws about 200 feet from Tink when he called out my name. He was looking at a Blue-winged Warbler, one that I needed for 2021. By the time I got to him, the Blue-winged Warbler had flown into dense vegetation. I could hear it, but never saw it. We stayed there for a bit. I then heard what might have been the buzzy song of a Blue-winged Warbler about 50 feet up the road. As I approached that spot, I then heard a rattle call that sounded like it might have been a Worm-eating Warbler, but it was a bit loud for one, and I didn't see any birds there.
I was standing at the edge of the gravel/rock road as I looked for the birds, with fairly tall grasses next to the road. And then I looked down. Next to my feet was a fairly large Timber Rattlesnake. I decided that I didn't want to be that close to it! I stepped back about 6 feet and started taking photos. Evidently, the rattlesnake didn't want to be close to me either, as it slowly made its way deeper into the grassy field. Note its slit eye pupil and triangular shaped head.
Timber Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake
I never saw the Blue-winged Warbler. We stopped again at the four road intersection to look for Black-throated Green Warblers, but it was quiet. Tink and I made a quick stop at the nearby Nazarene Wetlands, added a few more avian species to our trip list, and ended up with 42 avian species for the outing.
Tree Swallow