Four RBC members visited Highland County on Saturday, February 10 to search for eagles and hawks. Only one Red–tailed Hawk was seen in the morning. After lunch, a return to the west side of Snowy Mountain led to the observation of two immature Golden Eagles. Later off the mountain we found two Rough-legged Hawks, one light phase and one dark phase. Also seen in the afternoon were six Red-tailed Hawks. Other birds observed included a Purple Finch, American Pipit and a Killdeer. There were three other birding groups roaming around the area making a crowd! A beautiful fun day of birding.
Hillandale Park - One RBC member braved the Valentine’s week ice storm and made the crunchy walk on the 2-3 inches of ice/snow along the frozen paths at Hillandale on February 15. With temperatures in the 20s and a cloudy sky the bird activity was a bit slow. However, the near constant activity of Bluebirds during the hour walk provided a hint of spring. Blue Jays and Crows called regularly and a Red-bellied Woodpecker tapped away near the cabin. It was interesting to watch a Carolina Wren fly from tree to tree searching the trunk roots for breakfast. Twelve species rounded out the morning.
Bird Sightings - Ken Hinkle
Several RBC members got to see a Chukar that was staying around a feeder along Shen Lake Drive during the second week of February. When I pulled up in the driveway to look for this bird, there it was walking right toward us. It walked right under my truck before I could get a picture and vanished for a moment. Momentarily we spotted it in a yard on the other side of street behind us. The Chukar likely crossed to the other side via a culvert. This striking looking bird which is member of the partridge family is not native to America, but was imported from Eurasia. Sibley says Chukars are regularly released in all states for hunting. I am wondering if this bird might have been brought here for the field trials of falconers held in Rockingham County about a month ago.Mike Smith recently saw a Phoebe near his place east of Elkton. During the Valentine Day’s ice storm he watched a Winter Wren gleaning food from the mossy rocks along a creek. Mike has also had two Brown Creepers at his suet feeder along with host of woodpeckers including a Sapsucker and a Hairy.
Chuck Auckerman was able to add a new species to his yard list on February 12 when he saw a pair of Hooded Mergansers behind his house on North River in Bridgewater.
Clair Mellinger observed a flock of American Pipits just below the dam at Silver Lake on February 17. A female Northern Shoveler and some Canvasbacks have also been recently sighted at the lake.
On February 20 Charles Ziegenfus and his JMU ornithology class found a Tundra Swan, six Canvasbacks and four Wood Ducks on Lake Campbell. A flock of Gadwalls and the usual numbers of Ring-necked Ducks have been wintering at this water body. At Lake Shenandoah Charles and his students observed 30 Hooded Mergansers with some more Ring-necked Ducks along with the numerous Canada Geese. On the North River below the bridge in Bridgewater Charles reported six Canvasbacks and a female Ring-necked Duck. Tom Mizell had seen a Redhead above the bridge the previous evening. Proceeding on south into Augusta County the JMU group spotted a Red-headed Woodpecker along Badger Road where this species is still a pretty reliable find. Charles was really more excited about another sighting along Badger Road, a Merlin. He said the class had super looks at the Merlin that remained on its perch while they zoomed in on it with a 50-power scope. On their way back they saw six more Canvasbacks, three Green-winged Teal, four Snipe, and a Killdeer along Mossy Creek.
I have again had oodles of White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows in our yard all winter with 50 or more most any evening and the two species about equally divided. We have also had more Cardinals that usual, sometimes 8 or 10 in the late evening with a few more females than males. A Sapsucker and Hairy Woodpecker are still fairly regular visitors to the suet. I do have many fewer Goldfinches than usual this winter. In past years Goldfinches have swarmed around the thistle feeders that I had to refill about every two days. This year I only have two to three Goldfinches at a time on the feeders, and a refill will last for a week or two. Has anyone else noticed a decline in Goldfinches this winter?
PRESIDENT: Wayne Shifflett
14559 SE side Rt. 340
Grottoes, Va. 24441
540-249-4416
cell phone – 520-971-3549
wayneshif@aol.com
VICE PRESIDENT: PROGRAMS – Kay Gibson – 249-5287
VICE PRESIDENT: FIELD TRIPS – Tom Mizell – 828-6059
SECRETARY: Phyllis Showalter - 433-0391
TREASURER: Steve White – 833-6726
GOLDFINCH GAZETTE - Ken Hinkle - 540-828-3782 kenhink@ntelos.net