Rockfish Valley Trail 9/8-9/13

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

The wave of migrating warblers that moved through central Virginia on Saturday was just a teaser. I struggled to find 20 species on the trail on Sunday morning. Highlights were an Empidonax Flycatcher, a Baltimore Oriole, and a small flock of Eastern Meadowlarks.


Empidonax Flycatcher


Baltimore Oriole


Eastern Meadowlarks

Monday wasn't much better. It took most of the day for the cloud cover to dissipate, and I spent a hour on the trail during the late afternoon, logging only 17 avian species. There were only two areas of good activity. At the far southern end of Glenthorne Loop (west side of Reids Creek), there were Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, Red-eyed Vireos, a male American Redstart, and a Black-throated Green Warbler. There were lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the bog area, and several juvenile and adult White-eyed Vireos.


Black-throated Green Warbler


Male American Redstart


Ruby-throated Hummingbird


Juvenile White-eyed Vireo


Juvenile White-eyed Vireo


Rabbit

When I got home, I took a short hike down to the Allen Creek Nature Preserve. There were quite a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and a few other species.


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher


Female American Redstart


Ruby-throated Hummingbird


Ruby-throated Hummingbird



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