12/04/14 to 20/04/14.Stage 2 In Richmond VA. Bon Air Neighbourhood - a birders garden.

Saturday 12 April to Sunday 20 April
In and around McCaw Drive, Bon Air, Richmond VA


Most of what you read about below was seen from the house, mainly the rear garden or to give it the USA name the yard.  Almost as soon as we arrived the mood changed; the weather was much warmer with temperatures over 30 degrees C at the start and there were more birds to be seen in this suburban location.  Temperatures fell from Monday to Friday but they were still significantly higher than in Boston, MA.

• The state bird of Virginia is the magnificent Cardinal with it's bright red plumage and striking crest and it certainly did not disappoint.  This was by far the most common bird seen here all week - what a treat.

Cardinal
Library picture

• Almost as colourful was the Eastern Bluebird which showed up several times during our stay.  This was perhaps my favourite bird.

Eastern Bluebird
Library picture

• Several birds of prey flew overhead including Turkey Vultures

Turkey Vulture
Library picture

• and Black-headed Vultures.

Black Vulture
Library picture

•  We even had the Red-shouldered Hawk land on the ground at the bottom of the yard as well as give us splendid aerial views.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Library picture

Red-shouldered Hawk
Library picture

• As you can see from the picture below, the American Goldfinch is nothing like it's European counterpart but matches it's great beauty by virtue of it's lovely yellow colouration.

American Goldfinch
Library picture

• Other interesting birds included Purple Finches

Purple Finch
Library picture

•  and the almost identical House Finches

House Finch
Library picture

• the Carolina Chickadee 

Carolina Chickadee
Library picture

• the Brown Thrasher 

Brown Thrasher
Library picture

• the Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse
Library picture

•  and the Prairie Warbler seen on a walk with the kids and the dog on a nearby trail

Prairie Warbler
Library picture

The birds just kept coming and within days I had added 

• a White-throated Sparrow with it's characteristic white throat and distinctive yellow spot in front of the eye

White-throated Sparrow
Library picture

• the Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird
Library picture




Blue Jay

Blue Jay
Library picture






the Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren
Library picture

•  and the Eastern Towhee  to my list.

Eastern Towhee
Library picture

• Woodpeckers are another of my favourites and I soon saw a female Downy Woodpecker in the nearest tree to the house

Female Downy Woodpecker
Library picture

This is the smallest woodpecker in the USA: it lacks the red spot of it's male counterpart.

Finally I can add the following birds to the list:

• a White-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch
Library picture

The colouration is so different from the UK equivalent but it is still readily recognised as a Nuthatch.

 and

• a Gray Catbird seen when we all visited Agecroft Hall, an Elizabethan House, transported from the Manchester area in the 1920's 

Gray Catbird
Library picture

• Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron
Library picture

• One of my most exciting experiences was when I witnessed a flock of Cedar Waxwings fly into the large White Oak trees just to the rear of the house.  

Cedar Waxwing
Library picture

New species added to-date:
Carolina Wren
Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Turkey Vulture
Back Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
White-throated Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Bluebird   (10)
Purple Finch
House Finch
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Brown Thrasher
Downy Woodpecker
Prairie Warbler
American Crow
Blue Heron
Catbird   (20)
Eastern Towhee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cedar Waxwing



I cannot believe the range of birds one can see in a simple garden setting.  The colour and the singing were a joy to experience.  No wonder I placed a couple of chairs around the garden at strategic points so that I could enjoy a true birding phenomenon.  Adam and Jean - you have a mini nature reserve here!