October 9, 2006 [LINK / comment]

Flush with thrushes

The deluge finally ended yesterday, and today turned sunny at last, after the fog burned off. I walked over to the trail behind the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad, which was quite soggy, and saw an interesting mixture of summer and winter birds, including quite a few thrushes that were devouring berries. I also heard and then saw the first White-throated sparrows of the season. Today's list:

• Ovenbird
• Swainson's thrushes (6+)
• Gray-cheeked thrush
• Red-eyed vireos
• White-throated sparrows (FOS)
• Red-bellied woodpecker
• Goldfinches
• Phoebe
• Ruby-crowned kinglet
• Indigo bunting (JM)
• Plus many Blue jays, Catbirds, etc.

At the Augusta Bird Club meeting this evening, one of the staff members of the Wildlife Center of Virginia showed a Barred owl, an American kestrel, and a Broad-winged hawk. They are unable to return to the wild and therefore used for educational purposes. It was quite a thrill to see them up close. They seem smaller than you might guess.

I have nearly completed the Birding Locations page, which makes it easy to find directions to almost any of the major bird-watching destinations in this area. It will be transferred to the Augusta Bird Club Web site before long.