On the walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in NW Loudoun County last Saturday morning, 13 birders enjoyed the first glorious full day of fall and seeing numerous migrants. It was nice to have several Maryland and West Virginia birders join us as well.
The best bird was an Olive-sided Flycatcher, nicely teed up in the dead branches of a tall tree and showing the dark vest, big head, and erect posture.
Perhaps the first Orange-crowned Warbler to be spotted on our walks on this property was seen by several, as were a Kentucky (common breeder here), Nashville, and 5 other warbler species. Two Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (shown here) perched for good views, one with the beginnings of his rose breast.
Blue Jays poured almost constantly overhead – there must have been over 100 streaming through on their migration. Several large flocks of Cedar Waxwings joined the ranks flying through trees in search of berries.
Following is the list of 43 species:
Mallard,Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, No. Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, E. Wood-Pewee, E. Phoebe, Blue Jay, Am. Crow, Com. Raven, Tree Swallow, Car. Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Car. Wren, E. Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Eur. Starling, Cedar Waxwing, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, Nashville Warbler, No. Parula, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Com. Yellowthroat, E. Towhee, Field Sparrow, No. Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Am. Goldfinch.