April 16, 2026 [LINK / comment]
October 4: After going to the recycling center, I headed over to Montgomery Hall Park, and was not disappointed! There were multiple Magnolia Warblers (bottom left), American Redstarts, Northern Parulas (left), and Red-eyed Vireos as soon as I entered the woods around Yulee's Trail. Best of all, I saw my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet (top left) of the [fall season]* there! Later on I came upon some Swainson's Thrushes and several Northern Flickers, perhaps 7 or 8.
[UPDATE: But that's not all! Somehow I neglected to mention the most significant bird of that day: a Kirtland's Warbler, the very first one I have ever seen! Late in the afternoon I drove over to Coyner Springs Park in Waynesboro, after finding out about this incredible rare bird sighting. As soon as I arrived in the parking area I spotted several birders probing the bushes in obvious pursuit of something special. Before long someone saw it, and we carefully went back and forth in hopes of getting a better view. The light conditions weren't that good, but my photos were better than I had hoped for. Life bird!]
Montgomery Hall Park [and Coyner Springs Park, October 4, 2024. Roll your mouse over the composite image to see a larger image of the Kirtland's Warbler.]
October 5: I went hiking along the Shenandoah Mountain trail (on the border between Augusta and Highland Counties, 15 or so miles west of Staunton), about 3/4 mile south of Rt. 250 (near the Confederate Breastworks) and then back again. It was rather quiet most of the way, with a few Blue-headed Vireos and Eastern Phoebes, but not much else. During the return phase I saw a Hairy Woodpecker, a young Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a couple Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a Cape May Warbler. The "winter" birds arrive earlier in the mou.
Shenandoah Mountain trail, October 5, 2024.
October 7: A walk along Bell's Lane in the morning yielded two warbler species (Yellow-rumped and American Redstarts), and probably a Common Yellowthroat, based on their loud "TSCHAT" calls. Also present were a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker**, assorted woodpeckers (such as the Downy here), and a Swainson's Thrush or two, as well as many of their American Robin and Eastern Bluebird relatives. Finally, I saw one or two Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and I think I heard a White-throated Sparrow. Most of the photos I took that day, and for the next two weeks or so, were only so-so.
October 11: I paid a brief visit to Bell's Lane late in the afternoon, and finally got a decent view of some White-throated Sparrows, confirming my first-of-season observation for this species. You can hear them all around, but they are still very shy -- perhaps getting used to their new surroundings. Other highlights included a couple Ruby-crowned Kinglets (chasing each other), some Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wrens, and a Red-bellied Woodpecker.
October 12: On Bell's Lane, I finally saw a Palm Warbler for the first time this fall, as well as a few Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was amused to see an Eastern Bluebird checking out the nest hole that had been made this past spring by a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and the previous occupant soon showed up as well! A couple Eastern Phoebes rounded out the brief outing.
October 13: Jacqueline and I hiked along the Appalachian Trail to the top of Bear Den Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park, beginning on the northern side at Beagle Gap. (Our last time there we approached from the south.) Bird highlights included a Field Sparrow, some newly-arrived White-throated Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, and a noisy Common Raven. We also heard Eastern Towhees and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
October 15: I did my walk along Bell's Lane this morning before the temps got into the 90s, and I had some nice surprises. The White-eyed Vireos are still singing, and I also heard an Eastern Screech Owl repeatedly whinnying in the vicinity. Wow!! I was also surprised to see a Black-and-white Warbler as well as a Worm-eating Warbler, along with the "usual suspects": Eastern Towhees, Field Sparrows, Eastern Kingbirds (not shown), Indigo Buntings, and an Eastern Phoebe.
October 19: I saw my first (lowland) Dark-eyed Junco of the season out back on Friday (the 18th), but couldn't get a photo of it. Then on the trail upstream from Braley Pond yesterday, I must have seen 40 or 50 of them! Otherwise it was fairly quiet bird-wise: just a few Eastern Towhees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, a Hairy Woodpecker, and various sparrows, including a Swamp Sparrow.
October 25: After a busy week I found some time to visit Bell's Lane late this afternoon, and I was amply rewarded with a nice first-of-season view of a male Purple Finch. Just beautiful perched in the sunlight! There must have been 40 or more Cedar Waxwings in various places, along with tons of frantic American Robins, a few White-throated Sparrows, an Eastern Phoebe, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a distant American Kestrel. I also heard and barely glimpsed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
Bell's Lane, October 25.
October 26: I went to the Cowbane nature preserve in hopes of seeing one of the Orange-crowned Warblers found there recently. No luck in that regard, but I did see plenty of Palm Warblers! At least a dozen, and probably 15 or more. Other highlights included Eastern Bluebirds and Cedar Waxwings (both numbering in double digits), as well as a Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Red-tailed Hawk, and some Song Sparrows and Swamp Sparrows.
Additional photos -- both composites (montages) and individual photos, will soon become available on the Wild Birds chronological (2024) page.