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.