Two well-seen Blue-winged Warblers were the highlight for the twelve people who showed up for the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s regular, every 4th Sat,. monthly bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship on June 22nd.
While not as birdy as last month, 55 species were found, first around the Visitor Center, then on the Sweet Run Loop & along Butterfly Alley, and then along Arnold Rd. There were only three warbler species, including a couple of Yellow-breasted Chats, one of which was seen by those who arrived early perched on a wire next to the parking area at the Visitor Center (VC).
Among the species seen were a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, a couple of Blue Grosbeaks, one seen by a few of the group near the parking lot at the end of Sawmill Rd, a lot of Field Sparrows and Indigo Buntings (the most plentiful species), and several Grasshopper Sparrows, heard only. In contrast to last month the only oriole was a first year male.
Last weekend’s walk was led by Joe Coleman & Del Sargent who were assisted by several good birders in the group.
Information on the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship can be found at http://www.blueridgecenter.org. Information on the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and its many free activities can be found at www.loudounwildlife.org.
Joe Coleman
The complete list follows:
Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship – MFF01, Loudoun, US-VA Jun 22, 2013 7:45 AM – 11:15 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) 55 species
Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker 4, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe 1, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird 4, White-eyed Vireo 3, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Fish Crow, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch 1, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Wood Thrush, American Robin 1, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher 1, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing 2, Blue-winged Warbler 2, Common Yellowthroat 3, Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak 2, Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird 4, Orchard Oriole 1, House Finch 1, House Sparrow 1.
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14477642
Photo of Blue-winged Warbler by Reese Burgoyne