Swamp Sparrow
We had strong wind and thunderstorms late yesterday afternoon and evening, and I wanted to see if any new avian species had been pushed into the area. With temperatures in the low 40s and a good breeze, it felt quite chilly when I started out here in Old Trail a little after 9:00. Many of the birds were still hunkered down, and the Merlin was not on the tree where I have been seeing it. This was also the first day in a few weeks that I have not seen a White-crowned Sparrow while birding here in Old Trail, and I ended up with 14 avian species in 1-1/2 hours. The wind started to die down around 10:30.
Swamp Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Northern Mockingbird
Two Palm Warblers had not read the Virginia "Gold Book" stating that this species was supposed to leave the area no later than October 30. :-)
Palm Warbler
Palm Warbler
I went over to the Lickinghole Creek Reservoir where I added five more species to my day list: Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Tufted Titmouse, Mallard, and Eatern Phoebe.
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
Then I decided to try the Beaver Creek Reservoir that wasn't too far from Lickinghole. I only saw a few birds there.
Pileated Woodpecker
Rather than take the same route back, I decided to take the long way around to look for birds along Jones Mill Road. Jones Mill Road is a 2.2 mile, one lane gravel road with potholes and eroded trenches. It connects Browns Gap a short distance from Beaver Creek to White Hall Road that goes back into downtown Crozet. It really surprised me to see all the traffic coming the other direction on Jones Mill: cars, small trucks, and even a large farm tractor. Each time, I had to pull over into a ditch to let the on-coming traffic get by. I finally got to White Hall Road, made a left turn towards downtown Crozet, and had to stop, as White Hall Road was closed. I don't know if it was due to downed trees or flooding from the storm, or for another reason, but I had to turn around and go back on Jones Mill. Well, that ended my biridng with 19 avian species, but when I got home, there was a House Finch on my feeder to make it 20.