Birding SE Pulaski, Co. Virginia

[Anthony Phillips]

I went birding this morning in far SE Pulaski county VA, near the Boy Scout's Camp Ottari.  I started out on some of the local mountains, then made my way down along Big Laurel Creek for over a mile.  A lot of Blue-headed Vireos and Pine Warblers were seen on the mountains, and even a Ruffed Grouse.  Found 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes and 4 Winter Wrens along the creek.  I made my way back up through some abandoned fields and through some regenerating coniferous stands.  Here's my checklist of today's hike:

 

Birds-

Pine Warblers- 6+

Carolina Chickadees- 9

Wild Turkey- 1 (male heard)

Carolina Wren- 4

Tufted Titmouse- 3

American Crow- 5

Ruby-crowned Kinglet- 1

Rufous-sided Towhee- 2

Northern Cardinal- 4

Blue-headed Vireo- 11

Ruffed Grouse- 1

White-throated Sparrow- 1

Blue Jay- 5

Field Sparrow- 3

White-breasted Nuthatch- 3

Brown-headed Cowbird- 2

Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2

Common Raven- 1

American Goldfinch- 1

Brown Creeper- 1

Downy Woodpecker- 3

Winter Wren- 4

Louisiana Waterthrush- 3

Red-tailed Hawk- 1

Canada Goose- 6

 

Wildflowers-

Bloodroot

Bluets

Marsh Blue Violet

Periwinkle

Round-lobed Hepatica

Grape Hyacinth

2 Unkown species

 

Mammals-

Fox Squirrel- 3

Gray Squirrel- 1

Tracks of raccoons and deer, and scat from a wildcat were also found.

 

 

Many of the trees are budding, especially Yellow Poplars.  Downy Juneberries and apples are blooming as well.  Creek level, along with Little River's water level, is way down.  A good rain event would help things around here, and hopefully wash out the gullies.

         
          Anthony D. Phillips
           Snowville, VA
         

[Anthony Phillips]

Ohh, I also saw two species of butterflies;  Summer Azure & Dreamy Duskywing.

         
          Anthony D. Phillips
           Snowville, VA