Prothonotary Warbler
I missed seeing and getting a photo of a Yellow-throated Warbler, my would-be 29th 2018 Virginia warbler species, two days ago at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area south of Richmond, so I wanted to try a third time this year at Warren Ferry in Albemarle County. This is a fairly reliable site for this species, but I missed it in previous, early 2018 spring attempts when leaf cover was not much of a problem. I knew it would be much more difficult today, but wanted to give it another go. I asked Walt Childs if he wanted to go with me.
Soon after we arrived, we saw a pair of Prothonotary Warblers. I didn't get anywhere as good of photos as I did at Dutch Gap. I also heard a Common Yellowthroat in the dense vegetation.
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
I saw an immature male Blue Grosbeak, and several other avian species, as well as two very large Eastern River Cooter turtles. The James River was very high, and was pushing out of its banks into low areas.
Blue Grosbeak
Eastern River Cooter
I thought that I was hearing a Yellow-throated Warbler high up in the sycamore tree by the bridge, but couldn't see it. And then we got lucky when it flew down to about 10 feet from the ground.
Yellow-throated Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Well, any other species the rest of this trip would just be gravy. We stopped at nearby Totier Creek Park, and added a few more species, and then a couple more on the way north to make it 32 avian species for this outing.
Double-crested Cormorants
First summer male Orchard Oriole
Eastern Phoebe
Pine Warbler