American Redstart
There was a lot of traffic up on the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning, so I limited my birding to Route 610 between mm. 2 and mm. 4 of the parkway. I ended up with 6 warbler species: American Redstart, Black and White, Cerulean, Hooded, Pine, and Ovenbird, and also heard my first Wood Thrush of 2023.
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
Black and White Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
I stayed close to home this morning, and although I ended up with about 25 avian species, I only logged 1 warbler species.
Common Yellowthroat
Tree Swallow
Eastern Kingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Crow chasing a Turkey Vulture
I met up with Tink Moyer, and we birded Route 610 between mm. 2 and mm. 4 of the parkway, and then the parkway south to mm. 14. Saw mostly the same species, and saw my first of year Indigo Bunting. Highlight of the morning was a cooperative Cerulean Warbler - one of at least 4 seen.
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-throated Vireo
I'm up to 10 warbler species photographed in 2023, and hoped to add a few more this morning. I went over to Mint Springs Park. Kentucky, Worm-eating, and Black-throat Blue warblers are usually there by sometime during the first week of May, and I hoped I might see some early arrivals. I hiked the Fire Trail from the kiosk up to the level part of the trail, which is a change in elevation of 300 feet over a fairly short distance. It's not an easy hike. Although I logged 20 avian species at the park this morning, I only had three warbler species there: Louisiana Waterthrush (heard singing), Hooded (heard singing far away), and saw a few American Redstarts.
American Redstart
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Phoebe
When I got back to Old Trail, I made a short stop at Western Park. I heard a Common Yellowthroat, but wanted to see if any Yellow Warblers had arrived. Yellow Warblers usually show up here by the first week of May, and in some years during the last week of April. This warbler species likes to sing for mates in a small grove of trees along Old Trail Drive just north of the plateau in the park. However, a small playground was built on the plateau last fall, I am hoping that the playground commotion will not disturb the Yellow Warblers so much that they move to elsewhere. I did not see or hear any Yellow Warblers this morning.
Two White-throated Sparrows bathing in a creek
White-throated Sparrow shaking off bath water
A boldly colored House Finch
A boldly colored House Finch