After only hearing Black-throated Green Warblers up on Reddish Knob yesterday, I wanted to try for one up on Route 610 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Between the northern end (mm. 0) and mm. 14, I had 5 warbler species, but Hooded, Ovenbird, and Common Yellowthroat were heard only, and Ceruleans were just a couple of quick looks. The only warbler species that offered photo opportunities were American Redstarts.
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
I drove farther south to the Bald Mountain Trail (mm. 22), as I know that it's a good place for Ovenbirds, Black and White Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, and Hooded Warblers, and these species prefer the same habitat as Black-throated Green Warblers. I saw one Black and White Warbler, and heard Ovenbirds, Black-throated Blue Warblers, and Hooded Warblers, but that was it. At least the mountain laurel was in full bloom there.
Mountain laurel
It was supposed to be a rainy day, but the thunderstorm forecast was pushed into the afternoon, so I hiked here in Old Trail in hot and very muggy weather. I saw four Wood Ducks in the secluded pond near Slabtown Branch Creek. There was an adult male and an adult female, and two smaller ducks, one male and one female. I assume that the smaller ones were offspring of the larger ducks.
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
I ended up with 31 avian species this morning, and a lot of the birds were either gathering nesting materials or enjoying meals when I saw them.
Northern Cardinal gathering nesting materials
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-shouldered Hawk carrying a frog
Red-shouldered Hawk carrying a frog
A very blue Eastern Bluebird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Skipper
This must be my week for snakes. I saw a Black Ratsnake. It wasn't coiled up because of me. There was a Northern Mockingbird trying to decide whether or not to try the snake as a meal, and the snake made the Mockingbird back off.
Black Ratsnake
Black Ratsnake