April 15, 2026 [LINK / comment]
(This is another episode in my valiant efforts to get caught up with my blog posts about birding; the last such post was on February 22.) My first big bird outing of September was on the 6th, driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Actually, Jacqueline drove.) The highlights were Black-throated Green Warblers (two different ones shown below), Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Parula, Red-eyed Vireo, Magnolia Warbler, and Tennessee Warbler.
Blue Ridge Parkway, September 6.
Three days later (September 9), I joined an Augusta Bird Club bird walk along Bells Lane, where a variety of confusing fall warblers were present, along with both a Red-eyed and a Yellow-eyed Vireo. Finally, we also saw a Red-tailed Hawk and a Great Crested Flycatcher.
Bells Lane, September 9.
On September 14, I went birding at Augusta Springs for the first time in a while. Sure enough, I saw some nice migrating species, but the only warblers were at the very end, in the bushes along the north stretch of the boardwalk. Clockwise from top left: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Goldfinch*, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Tennessee Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Phoebe, and (in the center below) a probable Nashville Warbler. Also seen: Cedar Waxwings and Indigo Buntings.
Augusta Springs, September 14.
The very next day (a Sunday), we went hiking at Calf Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park. I came about several clusters of neotropical migrants, and the highlight was no doubt getting great closeup looks at Black-throated Blue Warblers. I think it was the first time I had seen this species all year. Nearby were Pine Warblers (bottom left), Red-eyed Vireos, an Eastern Wood Pewee (bottom center), and goodness knows what else. This was on the north side of the Little Calf Mountain. It was indeed quite a weekend of birding and healthy exercise!
Calf Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park, September 15.
During the latter half of the month, I made the usual trips to Bells Lane, as well as to Montgomery Hall Park and Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro. Nothing really spectacular on those occasions, however. Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological (2024) page.