Stoney Creek (Wintergreen) 8/18/11

All photos are © Marshall Faintich


This morning's hike started off quietly. As I walked down Sawmill Creek Drive, I could hear a Yellow(?)-billed Cuckoo in the woods. Nothing in pond #3. When I got to Lake Monocan, all I saw were a couple of hundred white feathers floating in the calm lake - must have been molt from Canada Geese. I then head down to the Allen Creek Nature Preserve - all I saw were a few Bluebirds and a Carolina Wren.


Carolina Wren


Bluebirds, Goldfinch, and a Great Crested Flycatcher

I then headed up along the eastern edge of the Deer Run pine forest. A flurry of activity caught my attention. Two juvenile Bluebirds were startled when an American Goldfinch and a Great Crested Flycatcher both landed next to them at the same time. Great Crested Flycatchers are uncommon here.


Great Crested Flycatcher

A Pileated Woodpecker flew from the pine forest, and a nearby Downy Woodpecker flew deeper into the forest. Up ahead there was some more activity. A pair of Red-eyed Vireos had landed together. One of them had a worm in its bill, and the other was interested in sharing, but that was not to happen.


Red-eyed Vireos

As I approached Sawmill Creek pond #6, a Wood Duck flew to the other end of the pond, joining a second duck and a Great Blue Heron. As I walked closer, they all flew away. The Wood Ducks went to pond #5 and the Heron to pond #4, where I also saw a Green Heron. Went I got home, there was another Downy Woodpecker in one of my trees and a Flicker across the street.


Wood Duck


Great Blue Heron


Downy Woodpecker



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