Buchanan
Volume 9 Issue 1 January 2010
The Long-billed Curlew - January
The first Long-billed Curlew to come to Buchanan County arrived at a farm in the Breaks Community on December 21, 2008. BCBC member, David Raines was made aware of the bird by his neighbor, Ed Bailey on December 24. David correctly identified the unusual bird and promptly notified other Buchanan County Bird Club members who rushed to see it.
As soon as word got out that this really unusual western visitor was in the area, birders from as far away as Pittsburgh, PA came to see and photograph it. The Curlew was still there in January and remained there until January 21, when the freezing cold weather finally forced it to leave for warmer climes.
David Raines and his neighbor, Ed Bailey, received the Birder of the Month Award for finding and identifying this most unique visitor to the area.
Russell County Outing and Celebration - January
On January 17 several members of the Buchanan County Bird Club accepted the invitation from Tom and Laverne Hunter to go on a birding outing in Russell County, led by Tom. The group birded during the chilly morning and found 32 species, including a red-phased Eastern Screech Owl, Red-tailed and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Loggerhead Shrikes, Common Ravens, Eastern Meadowlarks and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
After the birding Jerry and Jane Thornhill hosted the group for a delicious lunch at their beautiful home in Lebanon, where they served chicken gumbo, pork barbecue, cole slaw and baked beans.
Unknown to Dave Worley this was also a surprise birthday party for him. He received several gifts from friends and members of the Russell County Bird Club. It was a very enjoyable day with some good birds and good friends.
Burkes Garden Outing - February
The Buchanan County Bird Club made its annual trek to Burkes Garden on February 14th. Members of the BCBC were joined by members of the Russell County Bird Club. We were looking for raptors, Golden Eagles in particular, and we were not disappointed. Golden Eagles winter every year in the Garden. We had eleven sightings of Golden Eagles and one sighting of a Bald Eagle. That's the highest count we have ever gotten in one day. One Golden Eagle came directly overhead and gave us great opportunities for photographs. We found 38 species for the day. Some of the more interesting birds, aside from the eagles were an American Kestrel, Belted Kingfishers, Black Ducks, Gadwalls, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintails, Great Blue Herons, Common Ravens, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Ruffed Grouse and Wilson's Snipe.
Raven Research - February
I, spent February 20th with Josh Felch, a University of KY student doing research on Raven nests. He had come to gather some data on the Common Raven nest that Don Carrier, David Raines and I had found on April 12th last year near the Dismal River here in Buchanan County. Josh and I spent the cold morning observing the nest site from the valley below, watching an adult raven as it flew around the area of the nest.
After lunch we climbed the steep hill to get a closer look at the nest. As we got higher we saw two ravens circling overhead. The nest seemed to be in use. There was lots of white wash (raven droppings) below the nest. The nest was too high and too dark to get a good look inside to see if there were eggs. We quickly gathered some data, took some photos then went back down the mountain. After we got back to the valley we looked up to see four ravens flying together.
Roger Mayhorn
Tom Hunter Finds a Snow Goose - February
This Snow Goose was found by Tom Hunter at "The Mudhole" near the intersection of Elk Garden and Green Valley Road in Russell County on February 26.
Snow Geese are uncommon visitors to the area. When they do drop in, it is usually during spring or fall migration.
Searching for Peregrines - March
Early on the morning of March 19th Ed Talbott III found an adult Peregrine Falcon flying over the gorge in the Breaks Interstate Park. Even though the Virginia Department of Game had been releasing young Peregrines in the park for a couple of years in the hope that a pair would return to nest there, no adults had been sighted up that time.
The next day David Raines and my wife, Lynda, and I went to the park to try to see the falcon. Just before Lynda and I arrived David saw two Peregrines on a cliff on the opposite side of the gorge. We searched for them but couldn't find them. We hoped that the pair would establish a nest within the gorge, but they were nowhere to be found after March 20th. Maybe next year.
Roger Mayhorn
New Great Blue Heron Colony - March
On March 20th Tom Hunter saw a Great Blue Heron flying with a tree branch in its beak near the intersection of Elk Garden and Green Valley Rd in Russell County.
On March 28th Jerry and Jane Thornhill were in the area and found a nest with adult Great Blues on the nest. This is the first Great Blue Heron colony found in that area. Two nests were built and occupied during the nesting season.
Getting to Know You - March
As part of the "Getting to Know You" program, a VDGIF program to introduce people to the birding and wildlife trails in Virginia, the Russell County bird club held a birding outing in the Cove area of Tazewell County on March 22nd. Tom and Laverne Hunter led 18 participants, made up of Russell and Buchanan County birders, through the valley. It was a beautiful, sunny day and 41 bird species were found, as well as White-tailed Deer, Fox Squirrels and Groundhogs. The group members really enjoyed the day. Dave Worley passed out copies of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail guides, provided by the Virginia Department of Game.
First Herring Gull in Buchanan County - April
On April 11th a Richmond birder, Fenton Day, was birding in Buchanan County. At Poplar Gap in the early morning fog he found a second year Herring Gull, the first time this species had been found within the county.
Breaks Park Outing - April
Marie Miller, David Raines and Ed Talbott III participated in a BCBC outing in the Breaks Park on April 18th. They found lots of great birds, starting off with a Yellow-throated Warbler and Scarlet Tanager in the parking area near the restaurant. The three birded the Garden Hole and Camp Branch at the Russell Fork River. Several more of the wood warblers were found including Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, Black-and-white along with Louisiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird. Many other species were found throughout the foray. Ed's beautiful photos of the area and the plants can be found at
http://www.pbase.com/aquilaet/breaks18
Don Carrier and I would have attended the outing, but they were busy birding on a rather quickly organized trip to Florida.
Roger Mayhorn
Brewster's Warbler in Russell County - April
Tom Hunter found and photographed this striking Brewster's Warbler on Reynold's Road in the Clifton Farm area of Russell County on April 26th. Tom had stopped to look at some vireos when he saw this unusual bird. For those who don't know, a Brewster's Warbler is the result from the mating of a Golden-winged Warbler and a Blue-winged Warbler.
On the same outing Tom watched a Golden Eagle being attacked by crows and ravens.
Tom's photos of the birds of the day can be found at his website at
In all of the 37 years that Lynda and I have lived on Compton Mt we had never seen a live Bobolink on the mountain. On April 29, 2009 I looked in the backyard and there was a male Bobolink feeding in the grass. On May 8 Lynda and I saw a small flock of 10 birds feeding at a farm about 3 miles from our place. As the old saying goes,"When it rains it pours". That was unusual enough, but then on September 16 fellow birders, Mike Sanders, Gary Cooper and I were watching migrants n the backyard when an adult Bobolink in non-breeding plumage was spotted in a White Pine tree. Later the bird came down to to drink and bathe in the yard stream. The species took its time about coming to our place, but when it did, it came all at once.
Getting to Know You Birding - Breaks Park - May
Just as the Russell County Bird Club did, Lynda and I led a bird walk on behalf of the Buchanan County Bird Club in the Breaks Park on May 6, as part of the Getting to Know You program of the Virginia Department of Game. Mike Sanders of Bristol, VA was the only birder to show, but we had a very enjoyable day birding with Mike within the Park. We got 30 species for the day and Mike managed to get the elusive Swainson's Warbler as a lifebird.
Grasshopper Sparrow - Poplar Gap - May
On May 25 Don Carrier and I drove to Poplar Gap, also known as South Gap to do some birding and especially look for Horned Larks and Grasshopper Sparrows. We found both. Years before when the area was covered with trees these two species were not found there, but when the area was cleared for Poplar Gap Park both species moved in. The Horned Larks are there year round, and the Grasshopper Sparrows arrive in the spring to nest there. Because of the heavy woodlands of Buchanan County there are only a few places within the county where these two grassland species can be found.
Roger Mayhorn
First Green Heron on Compton Mountain - May
On May 26 after hearing songbirds giving danger calls I went into the field near my house and found this Green heron perched in a tree. The bird stayed around for a few minutes then took to the air and disappeared among the trees. It was the first sighting I have had of this species on the mountain, and wasn't one I expected. Oddly enough we have had 3 sightings of Great Blue Herons at this location, one was perched in the large tree in the front yard eyeing our goldfish pond.
First Bald Eagle Nest - South Holston Lake - May
Tom Hunter took this photo in May of the first Bald Eagle nest found in extreme Southwest Virginia, when the Russell County Bird Club visited a home near the nest. The nest was found on South Holston Lake early in the spring, and the two eagles were observed throughout the breeding season as they hatched, reared and fledged one chick. The eagles, being protective parents were observed driving away Red-tailed Hawks and Common Ravens that came too close to the nest.
Coalfield Folklife Festival - June
Members of both the Buchanan County and Russell County Bird Clubs helped with the first Coalfield Folklife Festival that took place in and around Grundy the first week-end in June. Don Carrier, Tom and laverne Hunter, David Raines, Ed and Michelle Talbott, Dave Worley and I led bird walks during the festival. David also called in Barred Owls much to the delight of about 20 observers in the Breaks Park at night.
Lynda Mayhorn took charge of the Buchanan County Bird Club table and Bluebird Trail table at the Booth Center of the Appalachian School of Law, where many of the events were set up. She was also the greeter and gave directions to those entering the lobby of the Booth Center.
Our bird club has already been asked to participate in the festival again this year.
Lawrence's Backcross Warbler - June
I photographed this female Lawrence's Backcross Warbler in my yard on June 25. At first I thought it might be just an unusually marked Blue-winged Warbler, but after posting it on VA-birds I was pointed to other photos of a male Lawrence's very similar to this female. It is evidently a backcross with a Blue-winged Warbler, which gives it many Blue-winged characteristics.
Roger Mayhorn
Warbler Day - September
Our annual Warbler Day was held on September 12 at our house here on Compton Mountain. Twenty-eight birders were there to enjoy the fall migrants. Fifty different species were sighted throughout the day with eleven species being warblers. It was a beautiful fall day and everyone got to see some beautiful birds, have a nice lunch and converse with other birders. More photos can be found at http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/warbler_day_2009 Some of the species seen during the day were American Redstarts, Black-and-white, Blackburnians, Black-throated Greens, Chestnut-sideds, Hoodeds, Magnolias, Northern Parula, Tennessee, Yellow-rumped and Yellow-throated Warbler. Other notables were Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, seven Broad-winged Hawks circling high against the white clouds, a calling Red-shouldered Hawk, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwings, Gray Catbird, Indigo Buntings, Northern Flickers, Red-eyed Vireos, two Yellow-throated Vireos, a Red-headed Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanagers, two Summer Tanagers, a Swainson's Thrush, a Wood Thrush and two Wild Turkeys. Roger Mayhorn
First Buchanan County Collared Dove - October
This Eurasian Collared Dove made an appearance in our yard on Compton Mountain on October 14. This is the first reported sighting of the species for the county. These birds have been found in Lebanon in Russell County to our south and in other nearby counties. Since this species has been extending its range eastward and has been found in Kentucky and Tennessee, and as close as Lebanon and Blacksburg, Virginia, it was just a matter of time before these birds came to our area. In a few years it will probably be a common sight to see these birds mixed in with Mourning Doves at our feeders. More photos of this bird can be found at http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/eura_col_dove
Roger Mayhorn
Double-crested Cormorant in Buchanan County
On October 20 Ed Talbott II found a Double-crested Cormorant, like this one, on the Levisa River not far from his home at Big Rock,VA. On October 22 Ed saw the bird again perched on top of a coal silo near the Big Rock bridge just at dusk. He and his wife, Mary, went back the next morning and Ed managed to get a photo of the bird before it flew off down the Levisa. The bird was not seen after that date.
Double-crested Cormorants are normally ocean birds, but do come inland to large lakes and rivers.
BCBC Outing - Hinton WV October
On October 24 nine members of the Buchanan County Bird Club were joined by four members of the Bibbee Nature Club of Bluefield to bird the Bluestone Dam and surrounding areas. The group found 52 species including several species of waterfowl and an immature Bald Eagle. After the birders ate lunch at the Hinton DQ, which offers great views of the New River, the group headed downstream to bird along the river as far as Sandstone Falls (photo). Those there for the outing from the BCBC were Don Carrier and son Christian with Christian's girlfriend, Alexus, Janice and Fred Martin, Roger & Lynda Mayhorn. Those who joined us from Bibbee were Allen and Mindy Waldron and Jim and Judy Phillips.
Great White Heron in Russell County - October
Tom Hunter found this Great White Heron near the confluence of the Clinch and Little Rivers in Russell County on October 31. The bird is a subspecies of the Great Blue Heron, but is normally found much farther south in the Florida Keys. After Tom posted this sighting with photos to the internet several birders were able to go see and photograph the bird. The bird stayed around for a couple of weeks. This is one of only a handful of sightings in Virginia.
More of Tom's photos of the bird can be found on his web site at
Northern Goshawk in Tazewell County - November
In Spite of the fact that it was Friday the 13th Dave Worley had some good luck when he saw a Northern Goshawk in Tazewell County near Southwest Community College. He saw the bird just north of the college on U.S. Rte 19. Dave was lucky indeed because that is a species that is not often seen in the area.
BCBC Christmas Party and Club Celebration
Members of the Buchanan County Bird Club met at the Peking Restaurant on December 14 for the annual club Christmas party and the celebration of the club's anniversary of its 8th year since its beginning in December of 2002. Members enjoyed their meal and conversation, then birding gifts were exchanged. Without opening their gifts each person listened as club secretary Lynda Mayhorn read a narrative of the year's past events. Each member had to listen closely and everytime the words left or right were heard the gift had to be passed to the person in that direction. When the narrative finished the person kept the gift in his or her possession. Everyone had an enjoyable evening with good food and fun with birding friends.
2009 Buchanan County's Second CBC
After having to reschedule the 2009 Christmas Bird Count because of a snowstorm the count finally took place on Thursday, December 31. Don Carrier, Tom Hunter, David Raines and I went out in spite of a few inches of snow that later turned into a steady rain. Lynda stayed at home and counted the birds at our feeders and also provided warm soup for us birders who had gone into the field. Thirty-five species with a total of 639 birds were counted for the day, the low number partly attributed to the weather conditions. The 2008 count had resulted in 56 species with 2903 birds counted. Tom Hunter is the official BCBC Compiler for the CBC.
Roger Mayhorn
Hummingbird Visitor on Christmas Day
Just at dusk on Christmas Day Grundy BCBC members, Johnnie and Betty Ratliff, saw a hummingbird come to a hummingbird feeder they keep in their yard. Since they have had several visits by hummers during the colder months in past years they always keep a feeder ready. This time the bird hovered at the feeder for a few moments then left. Johnnie retrieved the feeder and refilled it with fresh food and took it back outside. Just after putting the feeder back in place the hummer returned to feed again. Johnnie was close by, but it was getting so dark he couldn't see enough of the markings to make and identification of the species. The bird left and was not seen again. It may have been a Rufous Hummingbird like the one in this photo. That is the species most often seen at feeders in the Eastern U.S. during winter. In December of 2003 Johnnie and Betty had a Rufous Hummingbird at their feeder for almost a month.
