Six warbler species are presumably breeding at various locations along the first 12 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway: American Redstart, Black and White, Cerulean, Hooded, Ovenbird, and Worm-eating. I wanted to get up there to survey what little ones might be out and about yet. I knew that starting tomorrow, the parkway would be jammed with holiday tourists, so I decided to go today. I wasn't able to get there until 10:30 this morning, so I went to my two favorite warbler sites. First stop was at the south (upper) end of the large cirque near mm. 7.5, and I surveyed from close to the large rock outcropping in the middle of the cirque to almost all the way to mm. 8. All six warbler species were there, but I only heard Ovenbird (1), Cerulean (1), Worm-eating (at least 1), and Hooded (at least 2). I was able to get photos of the other two warbler species.
Male American Redstart
Female American Redstart
Female American Redstart
Female Black and White Warbler
Female Black and White Warbler
Female Black and White Warbler
Male Black and White Warbler
I got a quick look at, and poor photos of, a small bird there that had a complete eye-ring and wing bars. It might have been a young Black and White Warbler, or possibly a Least Flycatcher.
Unidentified species
I also saw two male Scarlet Tanagers, and a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk molting into its adult plumage.
Scarlet Tanager
Red-tailed Hawk
My next stop was at Hickory Springs Overlook (mm. 12), where I heard at least two more Hooded Warblers, and got good looks at an Ovenbird, a male Cerulean, and some American Redstarts. A male Redstart was foraging with three other Redstarts. One of the three looked to be an adult female, one a first summer male, and one a recently fledged juvenile.
Ovenbird
Ovenbird
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male Cerulean Warbler
Male American Redstart
Female American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
First year male American Redstart
Recently fledged American Redstart
I returned to the south end of the cirque, and this time was able to see a Worm-eating Warbler there, and an adult Red-tailed Hawk. The hawk flew from a tree close to where I parked, and most of the small birds seemed to be hunkered down. An indigo Bunting was singing, and a recently fledged Indigo Bunting was making chip sounds in deep foliage.
Worm-eating Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Red-tailed Hawk
Indigo Buntings
I was disappointed that I had not seen a Hooded Warbler, but only heard them this morning, and headed north on the parkway to I-64 for my drive home. Around mm. 1.5 on the parkway, I heard a Hooded Warbler, so I parked my car and got out for a look. There were three Hooded Warblers there. One was a female and the other two were males, presumably an adult male and its offspring. Most of the time I only see males of this species, and it was a treat to get some photos of the female. Note the partial hood on her head and a clear yellow throat.
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler
Female Hooded Warbler