Ovenbird
I hadn't planned on going birding today, as I had a midday appointment in Charlottesville. However, I read postings that a male Bay-breasted Warbler had been seen on Route 610, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, on the previous two days, so I headed up that way for a very quick look. I didn't see the Bay-breasted Warbler, but had five other warbler species: Cerulean, Black and White, Hooded, American Redstart, and Ovenbird.
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
After my appointment, I returned home a did a mid-afternoon hike here in Old Trail (Crozet). There weren't many birds out in this heat, but I heard and then spotted a White-eyed Vireo.
White-eyed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo
While I was photographing the vireo, I saw another bird pop up from the brush to see what was going on. It was a Black-billed Cuckoo (my Old Trail avian species # 138).
Black-billed Cuckoo
Black-billed Cuckoo
I had more time today, so I thought I would try again for a Bay-breasted Warbler. Route 610 was busy again with large work trucks. I hope that the new house construction project there will be completed before autumn migration! I then headed up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once again, there were Cerulean Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Ovenbirds, Black and White Warblers, and American Redstarts at multiple locations, and I heard a Worm-eating Warbler.
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Hooded Warbler
Male Hooded Warbler
Female Black and White Warbler
Male Black and White Warbler
Male American Redstart
Male American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
Female American Redstart
Female American Redstart
Female American Redstart
I also saw a Black-throated Green Warbler and a Chestnut-sided Warbler (my 20th Virginia warbler of the year, and my 24th New World warbler of the year).
Black-throated Green Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Between mm. 7 and mm. 8, I saw 50+ Pine Siskins. Although I enjoy seeing this species, they were really annoying when looking for warblers. Most of the Pine Siskins were high up in the trees, and unless there was a large flock together, I found myself checking each one to see if it might be a warbler.
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
There were several other species up on the parkway, including Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, and a Dark-eyed Junco collecting nesting materials.
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Dark-eyed Junco
My last species of the morning up on the parkway was Scarlet Tanager, and I saw a pair of them.
Scarlet Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
I ran into a few other birders on the parkway that I know, and hope that they got to see a Bay-breasted Warbler after I left.