Red-shouldered Hawk
I started out this morning at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro, hoping that there might be a few warblers making it their summer home. But the park wasn't very "birdy," and I only saw 11 avian species there. The most interesting bird was a Red-shouldered Hawk that had been chased by Crows, and was scanning the skies to see if they would return.
Red-shouldered Hawk
So I headed up to Route 610 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Dense tree foliage made seeing birds difficult. It was also in the low 80s up at these higher elevations, and many birds were parked close to the tree centers to stay cool in the shade. In fact, I heard a few Hooded Warblers in different places, and twice they were in trees just above my head, but I never did see one. I also heard Ovenbirds, but only got very quick looks at two of them. I heard a Worm-eating Warbler, but didn't see it. I did get a couple of photos of a different bird that might have a been a Worm-eating Warbler, but it doesn't look quite right for one. However, I can't think of what else it might be. Opinions are appreciated. I also got a quick look at a Black and White Warbler.
Worm-eating Warbler (?)
Black and White Warbler
Cerulean Warblers were in multiple locations, but tough to see.
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
American Redstarts were the easiest warbler species to see. There were males, a few females, and several first year males just starting to get some black feathers.
First summer male American Redstart
First summer male American Redstart
First summer male American Redstart
First summer male American Redstart
First summer male American Redstart
Immature American Redstart
Male American Redstart
Male American Redstart
Male American Redstart
I saw an interesting American Redstart. At first, I thought it was a female. But its head and breast seem to be a bit bluish. American Redstarts are known to hybridize with Northern Parulas, but it is more likely that the bluish color is a lighting effect.
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
American Redstart
I saw Yellow-throated Vireos at two locations.
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Empidonax Flycatcher
Indigo Bunting
Immature House Finch