It was still hot and muggy this afternoon, and all the rain has left the ground wet and muddy in places. I hiked here in Old Trail, not expecting to see many species, but ended up with 20. Most of the birds were common woodland species. I started the hike with a yearling deer taking a long look at me, trying to figure out what I was.
Deer
Indigo Bunting
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
I saw a young Northern Mockingbird perched in a tree. It had both of its eyes closed the entire time I was watching it. I don't know if it was sleeping, too young to open its eyes, or had some eye disease.
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird
Near the end of my hike, there was a lot of avian activity close to my house, and where I have seen migrating Magnolia Warblers in previous years. Sure enough, there was a pair of them, along with Titmice, Chickadees, Indigo Buntings, Carolina Wrens, and Noerthern Cardinals.
Magnolia Warblers
Magnolia Warblers
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
All of a sudden, the avian activity became still. One of our resident Red-shouldered Hawks landed in a nearby tree.
Red-shouldered Hawk
I continued down the trail, and got my second warbler species of the hike - a Common Yellowthroat. This species sometimes spends the summer in that area of the trail, but I hadn't seen one there this year, so I suspect it was a migrating bird.
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
I was eager to see if the Magnolia Warblers were still there, or if any new warblers had arrived. I had time for a short hike, so I walked the stretch of the trail where I had seen migrating warblers in previous years. I didn't see the Magnolias, but got a quick look at a female American Redstart.
American Redstart
Red-eyed Vireo
Raining today, with rain forecasted for every day in the coming week. Bummers!