Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chats were moved out of the wood-warbler family a few years ago, but I still consider them to be part of the "New World Warblers," and continue to record them on my warblers photographed by year list that I started in 2007. When I learned that one had been reported in Nelson County, I decided to try the Rockfish Valley Trail where this species breeds every year. I parked on the small lot along Glenthorne Loop, and immediately heard a Yellow-brested Chat calling for a mate. It didn't take me long to locate it (my 2021 New World Warbler #16).
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
I saw my first of season Orchard Oriole, and my first of season Indigo Bunting there, and then saw a Common Yellowthroat.
Orchard Oriole and Indigo Bunting
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
And then the same Yellow-breasted Chat was closer to the trail.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted Chat
In about 45 minutes on the RV Trail, I logged 15 avian species, and decided to head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 610, starting at Reids Gap (mm. 14).
There were some good birds at Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12). I had seen Cerulean and Hooded Warblers, and American Redstarts there during the past week. All three were singing there this morning, but the parkway was very busy, and I didn't spend much time looking for them at that stop. But I did get some photos there of a Chestnut-sided Warbler (my 2021 New World Warbler #17). This warbler species doesn't usually breed near this overlook. Perhaps it will find a mate and stick around for the summer.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
I stopped at the south end of the cirque (mm. 7.5), and saw an American Redstart and heard a some Yellow-throated Vireos. I have been hearing these vireos there for the past week or so, but haven't seen them, and they stayed up the hill and in the woods again today.
American Redstart
The parkway was really getting busy now, so I got off onto Route 610 near mm. 4, and soon picked up two Pine Warblers where they have been nesting. One is an adult male, and the other a pale, first year female.
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
I stopped a bit farther north on 610, about even with the Shenandoah Valley Overlook (mm. 2.9) on the parkway, when I heard quite a few birds. An Ovenbird was singing down the hill, but I did not see it. However, I did get some decent photos of a Cerulean Warbler and a Hooded Warbler.
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Hooded Warbler
And I was able to confirm my first of season Yellow-throated Vireo. Two of them were flitting around and gathering nesting materials.
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireos
Yellow-throated Vireos