Field Trip Report: SW Virginia 2024

Photo: Birders at Saltville by Monica Hoel

Thumbnail Photo: Eastern Kingbird by Ani Allard

Report By: Meredith Bell, VSO Field Trips Co-chair

We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather or more enthusiastic participants for the VSO June 7-9 field trip to Southwest Virginia. We tallied 118 species while exploring Grayson Highlands State Park (GHSP) on Friday, Saltville and Hungry Mother State Park (HMSP) on Saturday, and Grindstone Campground on Sunday.

The positive experiences shared by the 80+ attendees would not have been possible without our fabulous local team: Rebecca Currin, Bob Riggs, Beth Lancaster, Patty & Joe Elton, Monica Hoel, and Steve Hopp. Deep gratitude to each of them for their enthusiasm and expertise throughout the weekend.

One of the most touching moments occurred at the tally Saturday evening when VSO Membership Secretary Shirley Devan handed Bill Akers and Jerry Via their individual Myrian P. Moore Award pins. This is the highest honor awarded by VSO for decades of service to the organization. It was a very special opportunity to recognize two of VSO’s most outstanding and cherished members.

Other highlights included:

• 19 species of warblers and 5 species of vireos

• GHSP – Many species found only at high elevations: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Vesper Sparrow, Veery, Canada and Magnolia Warblers. Spectacular views for those who hiked to the top of Little Pinnacle and the few who made it to Big Pinnacle.

• Saltville – wide variety of species due to unique conditions: Virginia Rail, Golden-crowned Kinglet, 4 species of vireo including Warbling Vireo, Black Tern, Yellow Warbler.

• HMSP – Pileated Woodpecker family, with two young males almost ready to fledge, Louisiana Waterthrush family, and excellent looks at Hood Warbler.

• Owl Prowl led by Park Ranger Avery Smith Saturday night, with Eastern Whip-poor-will being heard in addition to Eastern Screech and Barred Owls.

• Grindstone – nice variety of warblers, Winter Wren, Veery

• Old Brunswick Road (one of the many bird-on your-own sites recommended by Rebecca Currin) – Boblink, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, American Kestrel

Thanks to all who attended and enjoyed this special weekend. The complete list of 118 species seen or heard is shown below.

Make plans to join us for the always-popular weekend in Chincoteague September 6-8. Check out the VSO website or the summer newsletter for details.

Canada Goose 
Wood Duck
Mallard
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove 
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Chimney Swift 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Kathy Richardson

Virginia Rail
Kildeer
Black Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron 
Black Vulture

Black Vultures by Don Alexander

Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker by Deborah Humphries

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker 
Hairy Woodpecker 
Northern Flicker 
Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers by Deborah Humphries

American Kestrel
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird 
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acadian Flycatcher
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing by Brent Slaughter

Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Grasshopper Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco by Kathy Richardson

Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-breasted Chat
Bobolink
Eastern Meadowlark
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush by Deborah Humphries

Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Summer Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting