Black-throated Green Warbler Was One of the Highlights at Broad Run

Black-throated Green Warbler.
Photo by Michael Sciortino

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) held our quarterly bird walk at Broad Run Stream Valley Park in Brambleton on October 19, 2024. John Denice, Bruce Hill, and Michael Sciortino hosted six other birders on a perfect fall day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the birds were active. The group recorded 46 species during the 2.5-mile hike.

We were excited to be joined by three participants who were new to Loudoun County with one moving to the county the week before. It was great to discuss what excellent birding opportunities exist in Loudoun and the importance of LWC. We hope to see them again at some of our events.

We started the walk from the parking lot near the recently opened shops. There was ample opportunity for parking and excellent coffee afterwards at the Paris Baguette. We heard and saw a Belted Kingfisher as it patrolled the small pond nearby. We watched numerous Chipping Sparrows fly from tree to tree. We have not paid much attention to this smaller pond in the past, but it is now attracting a good number of birds so we will be sure to monitor it during future walks.

Green-winged Teal.
Photo by Michael Sciortino

We crossed under Evergreen Mills Road via the tunnel and turned toward the stream as numerous Killdeer called from overhead. Just past the boardwalk area the bird activity really picked up with Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets calling as they worked the treetops. We were excited to hear and see two Winter Wrens skulking low in the brush as they interacted. This was a first-of-season sighting for many of the attendees. We added two more Winter Wrens during the walk for a total of four. We began hearing the high-pitched frequencies of a Brown Creeper as well, but could not get our eyes on it.

One of the highlights of the walk was a late Black-throated Green Warbler that provided excellent looks and ample time for photographs in excellent light. The warbler was foraging on the tips of higher tree branches and was accompanied by numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers. Yellow-rumped Warblers were well represented on all segments of the walk, and we ultimately recorded 20 of them.

As we turned back towards the east, we approached the large pond to eye eight waterfowl in a tight grouping. They were too far to identify, and we were worried that they would get spooked and fly off. The light was coming from the opposite direction to further complicate any identification. As we slowly got closer, we were able to identify them as eight Green-winged Teal, one of the smallest dabbling ducks around. The group include females and immature males. The teals eventually did fly to the west right past us, and the green speculums were in plain view as they flew.

At the walk’s end, as a bonus, we spotted two Bald Eagles soaring overhead, and that is always a great way to end a bird walk.

The complete list of birds for the walk is shown below and can be seen on eBird at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S199466026.

Photo by Michael Sciortino

Species List:
Mallard 4
Green-winged Teal 8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 4
Mourning Dove 1
Killdeer 17
Great Blue Heron 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Bald Eagle 2
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 5
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 4
Carolina Wren 7
European Starling 12
Brown Thrasher 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
Eastern Bluebird 5
Hermit Thrush 3
American Robin 12
Cedar Waxwing 4
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 6
Chipping Sparrow 6
Field Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 4
White-throated Sparrow 12
Song Sparrow 12
Swamp Sparrow 1
Eastern Towhee 2
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 8