Barn Swallows
I was on the Rockfish Valley Trail this morning from 9:30 to 11:00. The lower temperature and humidity made for a very pleasant hike.
In addition to many of the regular summer species, I saw four other summer regulars that I have not seen for a couple of weeks: Carolina Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Flicker, and Downy Woodpecker. There were lots of Bluebirds and a large flock of American Goldfinches near the picnic table on the downstream trail.
Highlight of the morning were six juvenile Barn Swallows sitting together in a tree near the benches on the upstream trail, and they were not very spooked and let me get very close to them. They must not know what people are yet!
I went back to the trail in the afternoon and saw a pair of Chipping sparrows "in the act," a Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, an Eastern Wood-Pewee, and a male American Redstart that was missing its tail feathers.
Barn Swallows
Barn Swallows
Chipping Sparrows
Catbird
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
American Redstart