There have been reports of Bobolinks and Dickcissels in the Swoope area south of Staunton, Virginia. Both species are uncommon visitors to central Virginia, and are always a treat to see. Dickcissels are more common in the mid-western United States, but wide-spread drought there during the past two summers seems to have pushed this species farther to the east where we have had plenty of rainfall.
Although I didn't see any Bobolinks on this trip, I did log 20 avian species, and at least four Dickcissels. I met up with a local birder, and we searched some of the fields along Cattleman Road.
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The first Dickcissel we saw was a female that flew to the east from where we saw her, so we headed that direction in search of the bird. We located a male Dickcissel singing a good distance away, and then the female flew to within about 100 feet of us.
Male Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Then the male Dickcissel landed even closer to us.
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
Male Dickcissel
We then headed to another field where we saw a mixed flock of about a dozen Barn and Cliff Swallows. The Cliff Swallows were using a mud nest in a small shed, and a young bird poked its head out to see who we were.
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Cliff Swallow - yum!
Cliff Swallow
Cliff Swallow
We then saw a second pair of Dickcissels.
Male and female Dickcissels
Male and female Dickcissels
Male Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Female Dickcissel
Today's list:
Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Eastern Phoebe American Crow Barn Swallow American Robin Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Common Yellowthroat Chipping Sparrow Song Sparrow Dickcissel Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle House Finch American Goldfinch |