June 20, 2025 [LINK / comment]
NOTE: This is another "catch-up" blog post based on Facebook posts from April of last year.
April 7: I was quite surprised to see a Hermit Thrush in the bushes out back in the morning, a sign that migration is definitely under way. In the afternoon along Bell's Lane I saw some Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes, American Goldfinches (turning yellow!), Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Tree Swallows, and at least two Brown Thrashers! (I saw one of the latter at Montgomery Hall Park yesterday, my first one of the year!)
(Bell's Lane & north Staunton, April 4)
April 13: I really wanted to go on Allen Larner's field trip to Piney Grove, but I just had too many other things to do. Instead, I squeezed in about 45 minutes along Bell's Lane late this afternoon, and was rewarded with a nice view of my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the year! Plus some American Goldfinches, Eastern Towhees, and Red-winged Blackbirds, all of which have been singing loudly and proudly as breeding season gets underway.
(Bell's Lane, April 13)
April 19: I saw my first Gray Catbird of the year out back this morning, and as expected, there were more of them along Bell's Lane! I also spotted my first Chimney Swift of the year up above. Other highlights included Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhees, American Goldfinches, Tufted Titmice (in frantic courtship mode), various sparrows, some Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped warblers, and a distant Eastern Phoebe.
(north Staunton & Bell's Lane, April 19)
April 20: I went on a serious nature hike for the first time in several weeks, walking around the Augusta Springs wetlands. Right away I had a nice view of a Palm Warbler, my first one of the year. After that, however, it slowed down for quite a while. After crossing the long boardwalk I heard and then saw a Pine Warbler. At that point, however, I was stalked by an unfriendly stray dog, and had to wait for about 20 minutes before it backed off. Then I headed up the upland trail, but didn't see much other than woodpeckers (including a Hairy!) and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher or two. On the return leg I came across Louisiana Waterthrushes at two different places, and then an Ovenbird, both likewise FOY for me. As I approached the trail crossing near the restroom I was surprised to hear a Yellow-throated Vireo, and eventually managed to get some nice photos of it. My fourth first-of-year bird of the day! There were also a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and Eastern Phoebes. Overall, it was a very rewarding day!
(Augusta Springs, April 20)
April 26: We had quite a variety of woodpeckers out back this morning, including Pileated, Red-bellied, Downy, and even a pair of Northern Flickers! Late in the afternoon I strolled along Bell's Lane and spotted several Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as an American Goldfinch.
April 27: After doing the recycling, I headed over to the Cheese Shop in Stuarts Draft, and sure enough, the Purple Martins were there! Later I spent a couple hours at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro, where I saw my first Blue-headed Vireo of the year (probably a record late FOY date for me), as well as FOY Great Crested Flycatchers and to top it off, a Chestnut-sided Warbler (also FOY)! Other highlights included Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Louisiana Waterthrush, a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets, American Goldfinches, and a surprise Swamp Sparrow! Then I went to Riverfest and said hello to Rich Wood, Bonnie Hughes, and Antonio Martinez, who were manning their respective displays for the Augusta Bird Club.
(near Stuarts Draft & Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro, April 27)
April 28: In Staunton, the most reliable place to see Scarlet Tanagers during breeding season is Betsy Bell Hill. So, that's where I went this afternoon, and eventually my quest paid off. My first one of the year! Along the road to the top I also saw a Great Crested Flycatcher and quite a few Yellow-rumped Warblers, as well as an Eastern Towhee. On the way down I heard a Red-eyed Vireo and after a few minutes got a look at him. FOY bird #2! Back near the parking area I was startled to see an Ovenbird only about 15 feet away, and managed to get a photo of it just in time.
(Betsy Bell Hill, April 28)
Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, will soon become available on the Wild Birds chronological (2024) page.