Sher and David Sedgwick have been telling me about one of their favorite Charlottesville birding areas for several years now, but today was the first time I went birding there. Secluded Farm is a private farm near Monticello, but the owners have set aside 150 acres of woods and fields for nature, and have made this area open to the public, with access from the Monticello Trail. When I arrived around 9:20 this morning, I got the last parking space in the small trail parking lot.
I hiked in Secluded Farm for about an hour, and only had seven avian species, although I can see that it could be a good area for warblers during migration.
Common Yellowthroat
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Carolina Wren
Great Spangled Fritillaries
I did a little more birding when I got back to Old Trail in Crozet, but the birds were few and far between.
Male Orchard Oriole
First summer male Orchard Oriole
First summer male Orchard Oriole
Red-shouldered Hawk