Crozet, VA 2/26-3/2/2024
All photos are © Marshall Faintich
Old Trail
This report is a continuation of my report from February 26 when I logged 26 avian species, including a migrating Pine Siskin and an early season Pine Warbler that I first reported here on February 21. I did not see the Pine Siskin again, but the Pine Warbler is still singing at the southeast corner of Old Trail. We had a little bit of sunshine this week, but most of the time it was rainy, overcast, and/or windy, and my avian list for the week ended up at 36, including my first of season Rusty Blackbird.
Click here to read my report from February 26
Pine Siskin (February 26)
| | |
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Pine Warbler
Common Grackle (left); Rusty Blackbird (right)
Pileated Woodpecker
This female Red-bellied Woodpecker may be working on a nesting cavity
Killdeer
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Yellow-rumped Warbler
When I first started started birding in late 2006, I was aware that there were two color morphs of the White-throated Sparrow: white stripe and tan stripe above the eye. Several years ago, it was discovered that this species had three sexes, and just recently a fourth sex was determined.
Click here link to read about the four sexes of White-throated Sparrows
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
A pair of (lesser) Canada Geese have been hanging around the shallow end of the golf course pond, and I suspect they are a mated pair and there will be goslings later in the spring. There's also a small, secluded pond just off the gravel trail heading up to the schools, and I sometimes see skittish Wood Ducks there. As I slowly and quietly walked up a small hill to get a look, I spooked a small flock of Wood Ducks.
Wood Ducks
Eastern Painted Turtles
But there's also been a pair of Canada Geese in that pond, and I think that this is the first time I have seen geese in that pond. I saw them doing what appeared to be a mating ritual. One goose would raise up and honk, and then the other one would do the same. This went on for a couple of minutes, and then they gave up. I guess that one of them decided it wasn't in the mood :-)
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
Canada Geese
This week's list:
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Pine Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Killdeer
Red-shouldered Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Black Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rusty Blackbird
Turkey Vulture
Swamp Sparrow
Wood Duck
Common Grackle