Cape May Warbler
There are about 120 New World warbler species, and slightly more than 50 of them can be seen in North America. I keep track of the number of warber species I photograph each year. 36 of these warbler species can be seen in central Virginia each year, although a few of them are really tough to find. Because of my foot surgery in June and Alice's back surgery in July, not to mention the high cost of fuel, I haven't done much birding this summer, and have missed the opportunity to photograph some of the species I usually find each year. I was up to 27 so far this year, and my target for 2022 is 30 or more, given the limitations I have in 2022. Last year was my highest total with 42, but that also included a trip to Arizona to get some western warbler species.
I hadn't planned on going up to the parkway this morning, as the forecast was for fog, clouds, and rain, but the rain didn't materialize, and the fog was mostly gone by 9:30. The BirdCast radar showed good migration last night, but mostly in the western part of Virginia. I've been waiting for the big push to send warblers my direction.
My first stop was at the southern, upper end, of the cirque near mm. 7-1/2. I know that the large broad leafed vegetation there is a favorite for foraging warblers, especially Tennessee Warblers, and I hadn't seen one yet this year. I was not disappointed, as I saw 11 avian species at this stop, including a first year Cape May Warbler, a Common Yellowthroat, and 4 or 5 Tennessee Warblers (my 2022 warbler species #28).
Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Scarlet Tanager
Cedar Waxwing
I turned around and got onto Route 610 at mm. 4, and birded to mm. 2 of the parkway. It was fairly quiet there, but I added 13 more avian species, including a Magnolia Warbler and a Hooded Warbler (heard only).
Magnolia Warbler
I decided to drive back south on the parkway to look for any mixed warbler flocks, but it was quiet all the way to 3 Ridges Overlook. I was now up to 28 avian species for the morning. On the way back, I stopped again at the southern end of the cirque, and a few birds were far down the hill. I thought that I got another Cape May Warbler, but after looking at the distant photos, I think that it was a Blackburnian.
Blackburnian Warbler