I birded here in Old Trail (Crozet) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and on the Rockfish Valley Trail in Nellysford on Friday. My list for the week had 42 avian species, and I saw all but two of these species in Old Trail. This list included four first of season species: Lincoln's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, and Hermit Thrush. I was surprised that I did not see or hear a Winter Wren, and even more surprised that not a single Bluebird was seen or heard. I want to keep an eye on the White-crowned Sparrows, as Clay-colored Sparrows are sometimes foraging with them here in Old Trail.

I have already posted my report from Monday, and I saw another (same?) Lincoln's Sparrow on Tuesday. Click here to read Monday's report

Lincoln's Sparrow (Monday photo)

View of Three Ridges from the Rockfish Valley Trail

I needed to be in Nellysford on Friday morning, so I did a late morning hike on the Rockfish Valley Trail. I saw 16 avian species there, but the only one not on my Old Trail list was a Rock Pigeon. My original plan was return home via Route 151, but that road was a mess because of road work on my way there, so I decided to head up Route 664 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, head north with a stop along Route 610, and then take I-64 home. The tree colors were just past peak and beautiful, but there were almost no birds along my 14 mile drive up there. I did add a Common Raven to my week list.