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August 22, 2026 [LINK / comment]

Birding in Virginia, September 2025

Here we resume the never-ending endeavor to catch up with blogging about birding... (The last such "episode" was on August 7.)

September 1: Along Bells Lane I saw a Blackburnian Warbler (female or young), along with more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, hawks, and flycatchers.

September 5: Jacqueline and I came upon a big cluster of various birds as soon as we started walking along Bell's Lane late this afternoon: Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Wood Pewees, a Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and a Cape May Warbler doing amazing aerobatic stunts! A Cooper's Hawk (first year) soon showed up in search of a meal. Later on I came upon a Yellow Warbler (young or female), and was lucky to get a couple photos before it scurried away. Fall migration is/was in full swing!

Bell's Lane (September 5, 2025.)

September 8: I couldn't make it to the hawk watch, but I ended up getting some nice views of hawks when Jacqueline and I went for a walk around the trail at Mill Place in Verona: a Red-shouldered and a Sharp-shinned, which briefly engaged in an aerial tussle. On the way there (and back out again), we stopped at the big pond behind Hardee's, where I saw two Green Herons, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Solitary Sandpiper. But the big highlight of the day was spotting a pair (M & F) of Blue Grosbeaks hopping around the thick bushes near the parking lot. I heard some odd call notes, and thanks to the usually-reliable Merlin app (!), I was able to determine the species. It was quite a day!

Mill Place (September 8, 2025.)

September 12: I haven't had much luck along Bell's Lane lately, just a Cedar Waxwing on Wednesday and an American Redstart today, among the Eastern Phoebes, woodpeckers, sparrows, and other regulars. The hummingbirds out back provide lots of entertainment, but they seldom pose in good lighting conditions.

September 13: We had a nice variety of warblers and other neotropical migrants on our Augusta Bird Club field trip up in the Blue Ridge this morning. Many of them were either too fast or too well hidden to properly identify, but the ones here are fairly certain: Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Scarlet Tanager (male, in non-breeding plumage), Tennessee Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Blackpoll Warbler. We also saw a probable Blackburnian Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and Least Flycatcher, as well as an Eastern Phoebe, a Cedar Waxwing, and several American Goldfinches and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. It was just wonderful!

(Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 610, September 13, 2025.)

September 17: During Penny Warren's bird walk along Bell's Lane I saw an American Redstart, which has been the most common warbler species there since the spring, as well as a Northern Parula (underside view), a Red-bellied Woodpecker, some Eastern Phoebes, and a family of Cedar Waxwings rounding out the day's highlights. I never saw the Magnolia Warbler that Scott Priebe found.

September 18: A brief visit to Bell's Lane late in the afternoon paid off big time, as I saw multiple Palm Warblers -- the first ones of the season for me, and possibly of the year! Other highlights included Cedar Waxwings, a N. Flicker, E. Phoebe, and the first American Kestrel I have seen in months. (It was too far away for a good photo.)

September 19: Jacqueline and I walked all the way around Yulee's Trail in Montgomery Hall Park, but virtually all the birds we saw were at the top of the hill, where we started. The Red-breasted Nuthatch was a big surprise, and the Black-throated Green and Magnolia Warblers were also very nice finds.

September 20: Jacqueline and I hiked all the way up to the top of the Madison Run trail yesterday (five miles each way!), and we saw a few good birds along the way. Two of the species were maddeningly difficult to photograph (Swainson's Thrush and Black-throated Blue Warbler), but I eventually got good images of them. In both cases we saw multiple birds in two different locations. In contrast, the Pine Warbler, Black and White Warbler, and E. Wood Pewee seen here were more "cooperative," but one or two mystery warblers (such as the one or ones in the bottom right below) will remain in doubt. Overall, the birds were much scarcer than I would expect during the peak of migration season.

(Madison Run trail, September 20, 2025.)

September 22: I had my first real warbler "fallout" of the season along Bell's Lane in the morning! Magnolia Warblers (top right) and American Redstarts (top left) were present in multiple locations, while the Northern Parula and Black-and-white Warblers seen here at the lower right were in the same area of dense foliage and vines in the lowland stretch of the road not far from "Cujo Corner." Also in that area was a Swainson's Thrush and an Eastern Wood Pewee or two. Finally, in the thick bushes in front of the small pond was a Cape May Warbler -- the fifth warbler species of the day! Nearby I also saw Eastern Phoebes and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Red-shouldered Hawks were screaming off and on, but I didn't see any of them today.

(Bells Lane, September 22, 2025.)

September 26: In the morning Jacqueline and I did a bit of birding along the brand-new Shenandoah Village Rd. that connects the Target shopping center to South Delphine Avenue on the south side of Waynesboro. There were many American Goldfinches and American Robins, as well as some very special birds: Yellow-billed Cuckoo (elusive as ever), Cape May Warbler (top left in the first composite image), and Blackpoll Warbler. In the afternoon we went to Bell's Lane, where I saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker, some Cedar Waxwings, an Eastern Phoebe, and an American Redstart.

September 29: Along Bell's Lane I found multiple Eastern Phoebes, Magnolia Warblers, and American Redstarts. There were 6-8 Eastern Bluebirds checking out the holes left by woodpeckers in a birch tree near the small pond.

Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological (2025) page.

August 7, 2026 [LINK / comment]

Birding in Kansas (& Virginia), August 2025

This episode of my birding adventures from last year begins with my trip out west to see my brothers in the southwestern suburbs of Kansas City.

August 3: The birding aspect of my recent road trip to Kansas got off to a surprising start when I walked across the motel parking lot to see an Indigo Bunting that was singing at the crack of dawn. (This was in the town of Cookeville, east of Nashville, Tennessee.) I soon heard TWO White-eyed Vireos in the bushes, and eventually got a photo of one. That was a big surprise! In the back yard of my brother Dan's house that evening, I was startled to see multiple Eastern Wood Pewees, chasing insects all around. They were regulars in the backyard throughout my stay there.

August 5: At the Corporate Woods Park, in Overland Park two days later I was flabbergasted to see a Northern Parula, at the very western edge of its range! (It's at the top left of the composite photo below.) Its song was different than what I am familiar with, and Merlin helped with the ID. There was also an Eastern Phoebe, a RED-eyed Vireo, and other species including many American Robins. It was a bit odd to be in a dense woodland with high-speed traffic passing nearby along I-470. On the way back to my brother's house, I noticed a Red-tailed Hawk flying above, and stopped to take a photo of it. In the evening we saw the Eastern Wood Pewees and a Great Crested Flycatcher or two.

(Corporate Woods Park, in Overland Park, Kansas, August 8, 2025.)

August 7: I explored Shawnee Mission Park, in the fringes of the western suburbs, and while there was an interesting trail in the woods above the south side of a big reservoir, there just wasn't a whole lot of bird action. I heard a Red-eyed Vireo or two, and saw some Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Wood Pewees, and Eastern Bluebirds there.

August 8: For the first time, I explored South Lake Park, which is a pleasant neighborhood recreational area in Overland Park. Kansas marks the western edge of the ranges of many eastern bird species, such as Carolina Wrens, which are only found near Kansas City and the southeastern part of the state. In general, these "yardbirds" are less common than here in Virginia, and are largely absent west of Kansas. Other highlights: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, and Eastern Kingbirds.

August 9: I took a solo mini-trip about 50 miles west to the state capital of Kansas: Topeka. There I saw a Eurasian Collared Dove near the capitol building. On the way back to the Kansas City suburbs, I stopped at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center on the south side of Lawrence, where I saw my first Great Egret of the year. I also spotted some Wood Ducks, a Pied-billed Grebe, a Yellow Warbler, and a Common Yellowthroat, along with the usual birds.

(TOP RIGHT at Topeka, Kansas; the rest were at Baker Wetlands, south of Lawrence, August 9, 2025.)

August 11: I went to yet another neighborhood park in Overland Park, and soon heard a Great Crested Flycatcher as well as a Red-eyed Vireo, but didn't see either species. Later on, however, I spotted what turned out to be a Least Flycatcher zipping around some thick bushes. I'm pretty sure the two birds on the right side are different individuals of that same species, but they could be the same bird. Once again, Merlin helped pinpoint which species it/they was/were. Empids can be tough to distinguish! I also saw a Brown Thrasher, along with Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches, etc. Back home at my brother's house the usual Eastern Wood Pewees were very active, as usual.

(Sapling Grove Park, in Overland Park, August 11, 2025.)

August 12: My most noteworthy day of birding in Kansas was at the Overland Park Arboretum. It wasn't easy, however, as I had to endure swarms of nasty mosquitos for virtually the entire 2+ mile hike, through damp riverside woodlands and occasional clearings. I saw the usual Red-eyed Vireos and E. Wood Pewees along the way, finally hitting the jackpot when I heard and then saw a couple Acadian Flycatchers (top center in the composite photo below) -- at the western edge of their range! Later I took refuge in a small cabin designed especially for bird watchers, in the middle of a cluster of bird feeders. (No mosquitoes inside!) There I saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, some White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, an Indigo Bunting, and an odd-looking bird that I later determined to be a female Blue Grosbeak (top right) -- first one of the year for me! Back in the parking lot as I was about to leave, I heard (according to Merlin) a Blue Grosbeak, saw a couple Eastern Kingbirds, and then -- to my utter astonishment -- a Western Kingbird (top left), at the eastern edge of its range! After departing the arboretum, finally, I spotted three long-winged raptors that were flying in amazing acrobatic style over an open field about a mile to the southwest. My photos of them were terrible (poor lighting conditions), but I could see with my binoculars that they had white heads and big black eye rings. Mississippi Kites!!! (First Of Year).

(Overland Park Arboretum, August 12, 2025.)

August 15: On my final full day in the western suburbs of Kansas City, I finally saw some Baltimore Orioles in the treetops of a neighborhood park. Also present were American Goldfinches, Northern Flickers, and many American Robins, including a juvenile. Unfortunately, I never did see any of my long-shot target species (Greater Prairie Chicken and Henslow's Sparrow) while out west, and I didn't get any life birds, but I was satisfied with seeing a decent number of less-common birds.

August 23: Back in Virginia, Jacqueline and I went hiking along the Riprap Trail in the Shenandoah National Park. There we saw Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Red-eyed Vireos, Worm-eating Warbler, and a possible Tennessee Warbler.

August 27: After going to a car repair specialist in a remote part of northern Augusta County in the morning, we went for a walk around the Natural Chimneys, but about all we saw there were some Eastern Wood Pewees. Late in the afternoon we strolled along Bells Lane and saw a Red-shouldered Hawk, Cedar Waxwings, an American Redstart (F/J), and a Downy Woodpecker.

(Natural Chimneys and Bell's Lane, Aug 27.)

August 30: More migrating warblers were appearing along Bell's Lane late in the month, and I actually got some recognizable images with my camera. Most notably, a Canada Warbler (female or young) appeared in the thick foliage, but it didn't stay long.

Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological (2025) page.

August 4, 2026 [LINK / comment]

Birding in Virginia, July 2025

Here we go again, gradually getting caught up (blog-wise) with thrilling tales of birding from just over a year ago, gradually getting caught up to the present.

July 7: I ended up deciding to go birding on the Dowell's Draft trail (near Braley Pond), mainly in hopes of getting a better photo of a Northern Parula than in my previous outing in that part of Augusta County. I finally succeeded in finding one, but there results were only so-so. Much more conspicuous were the Scarlet Tanagers and American Redstarts. I also spotted Worm-eating Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, a Hooded Warbler, an Indigo Bunting, and an Ovenbird, but they were all very camera shy. I got some good exercise, at least. Ironically, the big highlight of the day was while I was driving through Churchville on the way to Dowell's Draft: a Bald Eagle flying overhead! So, I stopped in front of a house and took some quite photos.

(Dowells Draft & Churchville, July 7, 2025.)

July 12: I went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 610 for the first time this month. Neither the Kentucky Warbler nor the Yellow-breasted Chat were present, a possible sign that breeding season was over. Nevertheless, I did see an Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, and Hooded Warbler. I heard and glimpsed a Broad-winged Hawk, as well as a Cooper's Hawk soaring up above. Cerulean Warblers were still vocal, but they were staying out of sight in the tree tops, as usual.

July 17: Bell's Lane seemed to be full of bird families with newly-fledged youngsters in the afternoon. Most notable were the Eastern Kingbirds, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and Orchard Orioles; a first-year male is at top center, and an adult female is at lower right. Also seen were American Goldfinches and Eastern Phoebes. To my surprise, I didn't see or hear any Indigo Buntings.

(Bell's Lane, July 17, 2025.)

July 26: I went for a walk along Bell's Lane in the late afternoon, getting rained on just a bit. I saw Downy and Red-belled Woodpeckers, a Northern Flicker, as well as Eastern Kingbirds, Eastern Wood Pewees, an Eastern Phoebe, some Gray Catbirds, a Field Sparrow, and a female (or young) Orchard Oriole. The big highlight was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but of course, I couldn't get a photo of it.

July 28: The bright sun really brought out the colors of the birds in the afternoon along Bells Lane. I was thrilled to get my first good look at a Ruby-throated Hummingbird this year! In fact, there were TWO of them, squabbling over territory near "Cujo Corner"!! Other highlights included an Indigo Bunting (singing an unusual song), an American Redstart (adult male), several Eastern Kingbirds, an Eastern Phoebe, White-breasted Nuthatches, various woodpeckers, a House Finch, a family of Chipping Sparrows, and a female Orchard Oriole. Finally, I saw a probable Osprey flying overhead but couldn't get a photo.

Primary colors! (Bell's Lane, July 28, 2025.)

Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological (2025) page.

August 2, 2026 [LINK / comment]

Birding in Virginia, June 2025

Here goes yet another valiant effort to get caught up with blogging about my birding activities last year! As usual, the text is based largely on Facebook posts I was making at the time...

June 4: I got another "primary color trifecta" while hiking and birding with Jacqueline along the Falls Hollow trail around the middle of the day. I finally got my first photo of a Black & White Warbler of the year, along with a Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Ovenbird. Other highlights included Scarlet Tanager, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, and Acadian Flycatcher. Beautiful! We also heard but didn't see a Wood Thrush or two. In addition, Jacqueline was delighted to see a Baltimore Oriole as we were passing through the village of Westview, but my eyes were on the road.

June 7: I joined an Augusta Bird Club field trip to Highland County led by Allen Larner, with only one other member (Scott Priebe) showing up. We met with four birders from Fredericksburg at Bramble Hill, as the property once owned by the late Margaret O'Bryan is known. While everyone else was occupied elsewhere I located a pair of Golden-winged Warblers, the first ones I have seen in a few years! I don't recall ever seeing a female before, and this one was gathering nest material. The other highlights were Black-throated Blue, Canada, Magnolia, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, among some more common ones. We saw a Bobolink at the Blue Grass cemetery, and a Least Flycatcher at the Straight Fork meadow, along with an Alder Flycatcher which I only glimpsed. A Bald Eagle was north of Blue Grass, a Scarlet Tanager (F) was near Laurel Fork, and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was near the West Virginia border. We saw both a male and female of that species in fairly close proximity. Allen and Scott tabulated 71 species altogether.

A rare Golden-winged Warbler (F), carrying nesting material, along with other five other warbler species (all male). (Highland County, June 7.)

June 10: I was passing through the Shenandoah National Park on the way back from Dulles Airport (!), and wouldn't you know it, I scored another "primary color trifecta": Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, and Common Yellowthroat! These photos were taken at various overlooks in the central portion of the park, but mostly along the Pocosin Cabin trail. Cerulean and Chestnut-sided Warblers were every which way! Of note, I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year, a female.

Primary colors! (Shenandoah National Park, June 10.)

June 14: After the menacing clouds lifted early in the evening, I went for a walk along Bell's Lane. Right away I heard that Yellow-billed Cuckoo again, and this time I got a nice closeup view! Near Cujo Corner were a few Cedar Waxwings, and at the high point I heard the distinctive song of an Orchard Oriole. Soon I got a nice view of a first-year male, and he flew to another tree where an Eastern Kingbird happened to be perched. Nice combination shot!

June 21: I had another primary color "trifecta," at three different locations: by the construction site along Barterbrook Road (where the new bridge over I-81/64 recently opened), at the gate in front of Shenandoah Wetlands Bank (south of Stuarts Draft), and near the dam in front of Coles Run Reservoir in the Big Levels area. On the way, I stopped at the Cheese Shop to get some goodies and to see the Purple Martins for the first time this year. The Scarlet Tanagers were mating, so there may be some babies in the Coles Run area in a few weeks!

June 23: Bill Benish, Ann Cline, and I went on an "impromptu" sort of field trip today, hiking over four miles total along the Shenandoah Mountain trail south of the Confederate Breastworks. (We were thoroughly exhausted.) Nearly all of the target birds graciously made appearances; see the caption below. We also saw a Worm-eating Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, a Veery, some Dark-eyed Juncos (at the high point of our hike, where we turned around), and a Pine Warbler. We also glimpsed one or two possible Ruffed Grouses and heard some Indigo Buntings, Eastern Towhees, and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Missing in action: Hooded Warbler. All in all, nevertheless, a truly memorable day.

(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and (CENTER) Black-throated Green Warbler. (Shenandoah Mountain trail, June 23.)

June 28: I explored the Ramsey Draft are on the western edge of Augusta County, and achieved both of my objectives, in both cases with fledglings being fed by their respective parents. First, the Blackburnian Warbler, which are usually found high up in trees where it is difficult to see. This time they were right at eye level, thanks to the fledglings, who needed to be fed. It was the closest I had ever seen a Blackburnian Warbler, and I was thrilled to get such good photos. This was right next to the bridge over the stream immediately adjacent to the picnic area. Too bad the father (which has much brighter colors) wasn't there! Second, some Northern Parulas, which were my first ones of the year. Nearby were a Louisiana Waterthrush, Worm-eating Warbler*, and several Black & White Warblers. I also heard an Ovenbird and Wood Thrush in the vicinity. I then hiked up the Road Hollow trail, but hardly saw any warblers, just a Scarlet Tanager and an Eastern Wood Pewee. It was a truly memorable day!

Blackburnian Warbler (F), etc. (Ramseys Draft, June 28.)

NOTE: Three of my Blackburnian Warbler photos, including two with a fledgling that confirms that breeding has occurred in that location, are included on the Virginia Bird Atlas!

Additional photos and montages, including individual photos of some of the birds in the above montages, can be seen on the Wild Birds chronological (2025) page. (NOTE: I incorrectly wrote "2024" in the note at the end of the July 24 blog post, but the link itself takes you to the correct set of photos.)

July 24, 2026 [LINK / comment]

Birding in Virginia, May 2025

This is another episode in my "catch-up" blog posts about birding, the last one being seven days ago. If I can cover two in one post, rather than just one month as usual, and if I do three posts per week, I might get caught up with my birding blog posts by the middle of next month!

On May 1 I visited Bell's Lane early in the evening and saw Eastern Kingbirds for the first time this year. Also present were American Goldfinches, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, and Eastern Towhees. Also, plenty of Gray Catbirds, of course. There was also a Northern Flicker in the back yard. The next day I saw my first House Wren of the year along Bell's Lane.

On May 3 I drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, hoping to see the Kentucky Warbler that had been reported near the telecommunications tower along Route 610. Indeed, I found it! All six birds pictured below were the first ones of that species I had seen this year. At the first BRP overlook, I heard and soon saw Indigo Buntings (center), and along Rt. 610 to the south I saw (clockwise from top left) American Redstarts, a Kentucky Warbler (appropriate on Kentucky Derby Day!), a Hooded Warbler, a Cerulean Warbler up in the tree tops (as usual), and an Ovenbird very close by. Wow!!!

Blue Ridge Parkway, May 3, 2025.

On May 9 I saw my first Yellow Warbler of the year while walking along the Mill Place trail in Verona in the morning. It was hard to see as it hopped around the willow branches, but I finally got a nice look. On the other (north) side of the pond, I noticed an Eastern Kingbird near the ground, which seemed strange until I noticed it (presumably she) was gathering nesting material. I also heard and glimpsed an oriole, but couldn't be sure which species it was. Over on Bell's Lane I spotted some kind of yellowish warbler in the tree tops, but my photos were inconclusive. I also heard a Common Yellowthroat (FOY) and White-eyed Vireo, but didn't see either one. I did, however, get a nice look at a Red-bellied Woodpecker guarding his (presumably occupied) nest hole! Nearby was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher darting about.

On May 11 Jacqueline and I went hiking in the Shenandoah National Park for the first time this year, from McCormick Gap to the top of Bear Den Mountain and back, about 3 miles round trip. The birds more than lived up to my expectations! We saw Yellow-breasted Chats (my first of year) at two different overlooks, plus multiple American Redstarts (bottom left), Hooded Warblers (bottom center), Chestnut-sided Warblers (top right), and Scarlet Tanagers; the latter two were also first of year. Indigo Buntings, Ovenbirds, Red-eyed Vireos, and Wood Thrushes (the latter three not pictured) rounded out a spectacular day.

Bear Den Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park, May 11, 2025.

On May 15 I visited Bell's Lane in the afternoon, by which time the sun was out. I saw four birds for the first time this year, and got photos of three of them: Eastern Wood Pewee, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Orchard Oriole. I also saw a Baltimore Oriole fly into a big tree. (I had heard both oriole species previously, so it's really only two FOY species.) The other highlights included a White-eyed Vireo, at least three American Redstarts, a Red-eyed Vireo, some Brown Thrashers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Meadowlarks. Finally, I heard a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Common Yellowthroat. Yesterday, I also checked out Bell's Lane, but the light conditions were too poor for decent photos. I did hear a Black & White Warbler (FOY) very close by, but never saw it.

On May 16 I walked to the top of Betsy Bell Hill, hoping to see a Black & White Warbler, but without success. I did, however, see a Scarlet Tanager, some E. Wood Pewees, Red-eyed Vireos, and Great Crested Flycatchers.

On May 17 I went back up to the Blue Ridge Parkway / Route 610, and that Kentucky Warbler (bottom right) was still in the same location, by the telecommunications tower! I also had a great closeup view of a male American Redstart there. A mile or so to the south I heard a Cerulean Warbler, but I had to wait over a half hour before I got a good view of it. I also saw M & F pairs of Hooded Warblers and Black-throated Blue Warblers (FOY for the latter) there, as well as more Redstarts (M & F) and an Eastern Towhee or two. At the Humpback Rocks picnic area I saw an Eastern Wood Pewee, and at the Hickory Springs overlook I had a nice view of an Indigo Bunting, but none of the hoped-for Chestnut-sided Warblers. Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos were heard in multiple locations, but I didn't see any. Still no Black & White Warblers!!

On May 18 I went to Bell's Lane mostly for exercise, and had two interesting sightings: a young Cooper's Hawk up above, and a very small bird with a thin beak hovering like a hummingbird next to some bushes. I soon realized to my utter astonishment that it was a Least Flycatcher, and I managed to get a couple photos before it got away. Wow! This was near Carolyn Ford's gate where we always look for owls in the winter. Nearby were some Brown Thrashers, Song Sparrows, and a Northern Cardinal.

On May 20 I hiked along the Chimney Hollow trail for the first time this year, and saw most of the birds that usually frequent that location this time of year. I saw my first Acadian Flycatcher (bottom left) and my first Black-throated Green Warbler of the year, and heard (but did not see) my first Blue-headed Vireo and first Northern Parula of the year. Other birds heard only: Red-eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-and-white Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and two Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Finally, I saw three other warbler species, shown on the right (top to bottom): Worm-eating, Ovenbird, and Louisiana Waterthrush. NOTE: There were quite a few fallen trees, some of which have been sawed and removed from the trail, but it is totally blocked at one spot.

On May 22 Jacqueline and I went for a walk along Bell's Lane in the afternoon, where we saw numerous Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows, and heard some of the latter species' babies clamoring for food inside the nest boxes. A female Red-bellied Woodpecker was tending to a nest hold near "Cujo Corner," while a two Eastern Kingbirds were noisily hunting for insects in the pastures. The highlight of the day was hearing and then seeing a male Orchard Oriole very close by.

On May 24 I led an Augusta Bird Club field trip hiking to the Reddish Knob-Bother Knob area on the northern tip of Augusta County, not quite reaching it due to all the time and energy it took getting there. It was about 3 miles altogether, plus more distance walking around various other bird hot spots along the way, including the Reddish Knob summit. I was joined by six club members, and we had a great time. Interestingly, while we were still gathering in the Food Lion parking lot, we noticed a flock of 30 or more Cedar Waxwings feeding on the berries they love. A very auspicious beginning! Later we had a great closeup view of an Indigo Bunting at the Briery Branch Reservoir, and then on the way up had great views of Chestnut-sided Warblers, a Scarlet Tanager, and a Common Yellowthroat. (The latter was a first-of-year sighting for me.) Thanks to a new member (Christine), I also saw (very briefly) a Black-and-white Warbler for the first time this year. Finally! At Crossbill Corner, we saw a Black-throated Blue Warbler, an American Redstart, a Brown Thrasher, and finally a dozen or so Red Crossbills. While there we met with William Leigh Tern, who gave us some good tips on what to look for. Next, we drove up the road a ways toward Bother Knob and hiked about a mile and a half each way. There we saw a Blackburnian Warbler, a Canada Warbler, and a Black-throated Green Warbler, along with a few Dark-eyed Juncos. I finally saw my first Blue-headed Vireos of the year as well! We heard several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Veeries, but never saw any. We also had a great closeup view of a Chestnut-sided Warbler while at the summit of Reddish Knob, as one shown in the first composite photo. In sum, it was a truly spectacular day, with ideal weather and fun companionship.

SEVEN WARBLERS! Reddish Knob, May 24, 2025.

SIX NON-WARBLERS! Staunton, Reddish Knob, etc. May 24, 2025.

On May 30 Jacqueline and I went for a casual walk along Bell's Lane late this morning, and I was pleased to see a Common Yellowthroat (female) there for the first time this year. (I had heard a male singing there previously.) Other highlights included Indigo Buntings, an Orchard Oriole, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Towhee, and White-eyed Vireo. I also heard a Baltimore Oriole and possibly a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.

Finally, on May 31 I paid a visit to the waterfall in Folly Mills (south of Staunton) for the very first time. I was glad (and quite surprised) to see a Red-headed Woodpecker, but it was hard to photograph in the tree tops. Other highlights included some Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Wood Pewees, a Scarlet Tanager, and a Wood Thrush. I also caught brief glimpses of a Louisiana Waterthrush and an Acadian Flycatcher.

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.