Green Heron
Walt Childs and I went west over the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the Shenandoah Valley to look for migrating bird species. Although we ended the day trip with 38 avian species, we didn't see many birds in any one area, and not a single warbler. Our first stop was at Silver Lake in Dayton where we saw two Green Herons, Tree and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and a Belted Kingfisher.
Green Heron
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
We then headed north and west to Switzer Dam where we saw a few woodland species. The highlight there was the smallest Broad-winged Hawk I have ever seen. At first, we only saw it from behind, and based on it size, thought it might have been a Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Hairy Woodpecker
From there, we made a stop at Nazarene Wetlands near Ottobine. There was another Green Heron, a few swallows, a Canada Goose, and a few ducks.
Mallard, American Black Ducks, and a Wood Duck
A short way after leaving Nazarene Wetlands, we stopped to watch a flurry of avian activity. There were Cedar Waxwings, Tree Swallows, Chimney Swifts, a Belted Kingfisher, Turkey Vultures, and our second Red-tailed Hawk of the day. One of the juvenile Cedar Waxwings had an orange tail tip.
Juvenile Cedar Waxwing
Juvenile and adult Cedar Waxwing
Belted Kingfisher
Red-tailed Hawk
We took Route 42 to Route 250, and mad a short detour in Churchville where we saw a distant Osprey enjoying a fish meal.
Osprey
Our last stop was along Bell's Lane in Staunton where we saw a few more species, including our only American Kestrel of the day.
American Kestrel
Juvenile Northern Mockingbird