The end of November marks the departure of many of our summer avian species and autumn migrants, and the arrival of some of our winter visitors. With nearby fields, woods, lakes, and mountains, staying close to home can be just as productive for good birding as traveling longer distances.
Wood Ducks
Wood Ducks
Swamp Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Late season Blue-headed Vireo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Walt Childs and I drove the short distance to Crozet, and logged 30 avian species at Lickinghole Creek and Reservoir. We saw a pair of American Wigeons - one was an adult male and the other either an immature male or possibly a leucistic adult, or perhaps a hybrid with another duck species. We added a Pileated Woodpecker at Beaver Creek Reservoir and a Swamp Sparrow at Old Trail to end the trip with 32 avian species.
American Wigeons
American Wigeon, Green-winged Teals, and Ring-billed Duck
Ruddy Ducks
Immature Northern Mockingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Song Sparrow
Light rain fell over night and early this morning, and the drizzle had just ended when I got to the trail. Although it was still cloudy and a bit gloomy, there were a good number of birds on the trail, and I ended up with 25 avian species there.
Cedar Waxwings
Cedar Waxwings
Blue Jays
Gray Catbird
Northern Flickers
Northern Flicker
Northern Mockingbird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler