September 14, 2016 [LINK / comment]
This morning I joined an Augusta Bird Club field trip led by Jo King to McCormick's Farm (located on the southern edge of Augusta County), and it was very successful. Not long after we started, Diane Holsinger recognized two Philadelphia Vireos that were mixed in with a Warbling Vireo or two, and I struggled to get in position for a photo, in vain. After an hour or so, after we had returned to the parking lot, I finally got a nice photo of one. Along the way, we had nice views of birds around the big pond, a brief glimpse of a Common Yellowthroat, a Red-tailed Hawk, some Eastern Wood Pewees, and what we thought was a Bay-breasted Warbler, but turned out to be a Chestnut-sided Warbler. We also saw a Kingfisher, a Great Blue Heron, and a young Green Heron, probably one of the ones I saw there in late August. I was happy to get some good photos of a Solitary Sandpiper, but was hoping to see more warblers. Call me greedy. After the others left, I stayed around for another 15-20 minutes in hopes of getting a better photo of a Philadelphia Vireo, but no such luck. I did, however, see a young Bald Eagle circling over a field to the north. Then I drove to nearby Willow Lake, and saw another Green Heron and another Great Blue Heron.
Philadelphia Vireos are similar to Warbling Vireos, but are slightly smaller, with distinctive yellow throat and breast. I'm pretty sure the last time I saw one was three years ago, on Bell's Lane. And by amazing coincidence, I spent four days in Philadelphia two weeks ago! (NOTE: As with many bird species, this one's geographic-based name has nothing to do with its actual range; Baltimore Orioles, Kentucky Warblers, etc. are most prevalent outside the respective city or state.)
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Eastern Wood Pewee, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-tailed Hawk, Green Heron (juv.), Solitary Sandpiper, Bald Eagle (juv.), and in center Chestnut-sided Warbler. Roll your mouse over the image to see the Philadelphia Vireo enlarged.
Enlarged images of some birds in that montage, and a few others, can be see on the Wild Birds yearly photo gallery page.