Field Trip Report: New River Valley 2022
Photos, clockwise from top left: Glen Alton - Carol Mullen, White-eyed Vireo-Seth Honig, Muscovy Duck - Laura Mae, Chestnut-sided Warbler - Cindy Hamilton
Thumbnail Photo: Scarlet Tanager - Seth Honig
Meredith Bell, VSO Field Trip Co-Chair
We had an unforgettable weekend in the New River Valley for the VSO summer field trip June 17-19—for several reasons. There was a severe thunderstorm Friday afternoon in the middle of our trip to the Mountain Lake Biological Station, which resulted in a treacherous descent on Rt. 700, with fallen trees and limbs on the road. Everyone returned safely to the hotel, and we had gorgeous weather the rest of the weekend with lots of birds and special friendships formed or renewed.
Many thanks to Bill Akers and Jerry Via, who led the trips and put in many hours in advance checking out the field trip areas to make sure the birds would make an appearance when we arrived. And appear they did, with 103 species (including 17 warbler species) tallied over the 3 days.
We appreciated the water and other extras they provided for us on Saturday, as well as the assistance from several members of the New River Valley Bird Club in helping to lead groups: Anna Altizer, Debby Applequist, Kristi DeCourcy, Phil Lehman, Sally & Doug Pfeiffer, Mike Schultz, Brent & Laura Slaughter, Chris Sokol, and Doug Weidemann.
On Saturday we visited Glen Alton and Kelly Flats in Giles County. We divided into four groups and then came back together in the parking lot for lunch. A Chestnut-sided Warbler greeted us in the parking lot with vigorous singing that continued throughout the morning. Among the highlights: Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Brown Creeper, Scarlet Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Louisiana Waterthrush. At Kelly Flats we found Veery, Hermit Thrush, and Wood Thrush.
Mt. Lake Biological Station - Photo by Shirley Devan
On Sunday participants had two options. One group visited Deerfield Trail just a few miles away and got Orchard Oriole, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Eastern Kingbird. The other group went to Caldwell Fields and found Prairie Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Red-headed Woodpecker.
Thanks to all who attended and enjoyed this special weekend. The complete list of species seen or heard is shown below.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Kildeer
American Woodcock
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Eastern Screech Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker - Photo by Doug Pfeiffer
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acadian Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo - Photo by Pam Scrima
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Barn Swallows - Photo by Cindy Hamilton
Cliff Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco - Photo by Pam Scrima
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-breasted Chat
Orchard Oriole
Orchard Oriole - Photo by Nancy Barnhart
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Blackburnian Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting