May 13, 2005 [LINK]
Augusta Springs again
Knowing that peak migration season has nearly passed, yesterday I made it a point to see Augusta Springs for the second time this spring. When I arrived, I had a nice chat about ecology and the decline of amphibian populations with two elementary school teachers who were preparing a large-scale nature field trip. Fortunately, the bus full of kids did not arrive until I was almost done. I saw five first-of-season species altogether. The highlights, in rough chronological order:
- Red-eyed vireos
- Towhees (M, F)
- Field sparrow
- Indigo buntings (M)
- Cedar waxwings*
- Pileated woodpecker
- Solitary sandpipers (2)
- Spotted sandpiper
- Killdeer
- Wood ducks (2M, 1F)
- Green herons (FOS) (2)
- Blue-gray gnatcatchers, at nest
- Lincoln's sparrow (FOS)
- Yellow warbler
- Common yellowthroat (M)
- Wilson's warbler
- Scarlet tanagers (FOS) (2M, 1F)
- Rose-breasted grosbeak (FOS) (2M)
- White-breasted nuthatch
- Blue-headed vireos
- Worm-eating warblers (FOS) (2)
- [Wild turkey!]
The ones below the line were seen along a mountain trail a few miles to the northeast, where I stopped on my way back. In addition, I heard a Yellow-billed cuckoo, some Wood thrushes, a probable Yellow-throated vireo, an Acadian flycatcher, and a Hooded warbler.