Rockfish Valley Trail, VA, 11/19/15

All photos are © Marshall Faintich


Stoney Creek (Wintergreen) 11/18/15

We had more than two inches of rain overnight, and light rain all morning. The rain was supposed to end by noon, and I went to the Rockfish Valley Trail at 12:30 under cloudy skies. I had thought that the birds might be active and looking for something to eat after all the rain. On my way to the trail, it started to drizzle, but I decided to look for birds and hoped that the drizzle would end quickly.


American Crow

As I approached the end of the downstream trail, there was a lot of avian activity. I got a quick view, and a poor but ID-worthy photo, of my first-of-season Fox Sparrow before it flew away. I could hear it singing near the middle of the field.


Fox Sparrow

When I was about one mile from my car, it started to rain fairly hard, and I had to take cover. By the time the rain finally ended about 2:00 p.m., and the sun came out, most of the birds were taking their afternoon siesta. But I was able to see 6 more sparrow species on the short hike, and had a total of 15 avian species.


Field Sparrow


White-throated Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow


Eastern Towhee


Dark-eyed Junco


Song Sparrow

In addition to the species below, I also saw a Belted Kingfisher, Turkey Vultures, Eastern Bluebirds, and heard Carolina Chickadees.


American Goldfinch


Northern Cardinal


Yellow-rumped Warbler



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