It was a sunny day, and Walt Childs and I went south and west into Rockbridge County in the Shenandoah Valley. Although we didn't see a lot of birds, we ended up with 23 avian species, including a few Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels. The best birds were a male and a female Common Merganser.
Downy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Kestrel
American Kestrel
Female Common Merganser
Male Common Merganser
It was very overcast, and I did a short hike here in Old Trail, and ended up with 20 avian species. I didn't see the female Common Merganser at the golf course pond, and noticed that the property management had cut down almost all of the vegetation right up to the edge of the pond, and most of the way around it. I wondered if the Common Merganser was gone for good this winter, or had just moved to another location while they were doing the cutting?
Song Sparrow
Once again, there was heavy overcast with very light drizzle. I hiked a bit and ended up with 24 avian species. It was good to see the female Common Merganser back in the golf course pond.
Female Common Merganser
Female Common Merganser
Field Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Cardinal, House Finches, and Red-bellied Woodpecker
When I turned a corner on the trail, one of our Red-shouldered Hawks and I surprised each other. It was on a low branch right next to my shoulder, and it took off. A few minutes later, I saw that it was being harrassed by a couple of crows, so I walked over to the birds, shooed the crows away, and the Red-shouldered Hawk seemed to appreciate my effort, and sat there while I took photos.
Red-shouldered Hawk