Jane Yocum and Michael Sciortino led the June 11 Banshee Reeks bird walk on a morning that threatened serious rain. Thankfully, the conditions were much better than expected and the weather cycled between light rain and just low, overcast clouds. The rain did not affect our birding, however, and the group of 12 people were able to record 58 species during the more than three-hour trip. To shelter from any potential rain, we decided to primarily keep to wooded areas with as much canopy as possible.
Northern Parula.
Photo by Pat Whittle
We recorded a quick 20 species as we moved out of the parking area past the main field, on our way towards the Cathedral trail. Numerous Indigo Buntings and Prairie Warblers called from the adjacent fields, and the group was treated to good looks at both a male and female Blue Grosbeak along the Goose Creek trail. Yellow-breasted Chats whistled and cackled, while Tree Swallows patrolled the skies as we traveled. Jane was able to check each of the nest boxes as part of her bluebird monitoring activities.
As we turned off the Goose Creek trail towards the start of the Cathedral trail, we began to hear a Wood Thrush calling from deep in the woods. We would continue to hear these reclusive birds singing their flute-like sounds the rest of the way as we spent a good amount of time in or near the woods. The Cathedral trail was visually spectacular as usual, and it glistened with the recent rain while protecting us from the light moisture that was falling. Along the trail we started hearing Red-bellied Woodpeckers barking from the treetops.
The Goose Creek overlook area was once again teeming with numerous species including Eastern Bluebirds, Red-eyed Vireos, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, Orchard and Baltimore Orioles and Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but the highlight was at least two Northern Parulas that were not shy. We heard them calling at first and were fortunate to have one fly down from the upper canopy so that we could see it’s bluish-gray and yellow highlights. We spent a good amount of time finding, studying and photographing this little beauty.
We stayed in the Goose Creek bottomland along the Carter-Luck trail hoping to see or hear a Barred Owl, but they were quiet. As we moved along the winding path, we had numerous views of the Courtland Farm property on the far side of the creek. We recorded our only Red-tailed Hawk and a handful of Rock Pigeons resting on farm structures. Acadian Flycatchers, gnatcatchers and woodpeckers were active as well
Group looking at the Northern Parula.
Photo by Michael Sciortino
We meandered our way back to the Visitor Center after taking an obligatory peek at the Spring House Pond. It was quiet except for a few volunteers who were clearing brush on the pond’s embankment. On the Visitor Center porch, as we tallied our results for the day, we watched a few American Goldfinches and House Finches at the seed feeders. We kept our eye on a Ruby-throated Hummingbird that was resting on a nearby branch planning another trip to the feeder. As an extra bonus to our day’s observations, we watched in awe from the porch as an immature Bald Eagle flew across the property going from right to left and heading east. It was a great sight to see, and a great way to cap off a morning of soggy birding.
For a complete list of our bird sightings, see below or view on eBird at https://ebird.org/checklist/S112682281.
Species List
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 12 – Seen on the Courtland Farm structures.
Mourning Dove 8
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 – One flew over the field near the Raspberry field. The other was at the feeder at the Spring House.
Great Blue Heron 2 – Both along the Goose Creek at different spots.
Green Heron 1 – At the front pond.
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 2
Bald Eagle 1 – Immature flying east while we were tallying.
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1 – Perched across the field on Courtland Farm structure.
Belted Kingfisher 1 – Heard along Goose Creek.
Red-bellied Woodpecker 10
Downy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Acadian Flycatcher 5
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 8
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 3
Common Raven 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 6
Tree Swallow 12
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 12
Carolina Wren 12
European Starling 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Eastern Bluebird 8
Wood Thrush 2
American Robin 3
Cedar Waxwing 4
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 12
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 6
Song Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 3
Yellow-breasted Chat 8
Orchard Oriole 3
Baltimore Oriole 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Ovenbird 1 – At the front gate while waiting to enter.
Common Yellowthroat 8
Northern Parula 4
Prairie Warbler 10
Northern Cardinal 15
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 11