Central Virginia 4/18/2021

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

I decided to look for warblers up on Route 610 between mm. 2 and mm. 4 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. As I was driving between mm. 1 and mm. 2 of the parkway, I stopped when I saw a Broad-winged Hawk perched along the parkway. It didn't want its picture taken, and flew moments after I got out of my car.

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Broad-winged Hawk

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Broad-winged Hawk

I saw 15 avian species up there, but the only warbler was a Pine Warbler. This area is starting to get green, but it will be another week or two before many of the summer warbler residents will show up.

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Pine Warbler

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Pine Warbler

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Chipping Sparrow

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Turkey Vulture

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Eastern Towhee

I then drove down to Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro where I saw 16 additional avian species, giving me 31 for the morning. The park was very green and there were birds everywhere. The only warbler species I saw there was Yellow-rumped. There were lots of female Purple Finches along the river, and a Belted Kingfisher made its rattle call as it flew downstream.

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Yellow-rumped Warbler

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Purple Finch

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Ruby-crowned Kinglet

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Northern Cardinal

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Northern Cardinal

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American Robin

As I hiked along the river past the green bridge, I saw a male Pileated Woodpecker making its way up a tree.

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Pileated Woodpecker

It made its way up to a large woodpecker hole in the tree and looked in.

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Pileated Woodpecker

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Pileated Woodpecker

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Pileated Woodpecker

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Pileated Woodpecker

A moment later, a female Pileated Woodpecker appeared in the tree cavity, and then flew out.

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Pileated Woodpeckers

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Pileated Woodpeckers

The male Pileated Woodpecker carefully entered the tree cavity and turned around.

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Pileated Woodpecker

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Pileated Woodpecker

I couldn't see if there were little ones in there, or only eggs at this time, but it was clear that mama and papa were taking turns on the nest. I made my way back towards my car, and a large bird flew in. It was the juvenile Cooper's Hawk that I have been seeing in that area for the past two weeks.

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Cooper's Hawk

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Cooper's Hawk


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