Thirteen participants led by Joe Coleman and Michael Sciortino showed up for the monthly bird walk on August 26 at Sweet Run State Park.  During a very humid morning, we found a total of 41 species. Except for a brief detour out to where the power line crosses the Arnold Road, the group stayed in the heavy shade provided by the Park’s mature oak-hickory forest.

Some of the group at Piney Run.
Photo by Joe Coleman

Signs of this summer’s drought were everywhere with many of the trees not only dropping their leaves early, but their undeveloped fruit as well. The water level in Piney Run was so low we were able to easily ford it without needing to use the bridge.

The 41 species included two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, a large kettle of Turkey Vultures, a Red-headed Woodpecker, both Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, two American Kestrels, several vocal flycatchers including at least five Eastern Wood-Peewees and four Great Crested Flycatchers. We also had a Common Raven that flew near us several times, and a couple of Cedar Waxwings. And just as we were ending the walk, a White-eyed Vireo greeted us with its song.

The most exciting find of the morning was a mystery bird (see below) that the group couldn’t readily identify. The bird elicited a great deal of debate over whether it was some kind of vireo or one of the challenging fall warblers. After looking over the photos and noting the wing bars, full eye ring and pale underparts, the group decided it was probably a first-year Chestnut-sided Warbler. However, not everyone agreed with this decision.

For the complete list of birds, see below or view on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S148125754.

Is this a young Chestnut-sided Warbler?
Photo by Michael Sciortino

Species List
Mourning Dove 7
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 35
Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
American Kestrel 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 6
Acadian Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 4
Eastern Kingbird 4
White-eyed Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 6
Common Raven 1
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 4
Tree Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 4
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Carolina Wren 5
European Starling 22
Gray Catbird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
American Goldfinch 8
Chipping Sparrow 4
Eastern Towhee 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 5
Indigo Bunting 1

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