Field Trip Report: New River Valley 2026
Photo: Blackburnian Warbler by Scott Priebe
Thumbnail Photo: Louisiana Waterthrush by Tom Frazier
We enjoyed an unforgettable weekend in the New River Valley for the VSO Spring Field Trip, May 1–3. More than 90 enthusiastic birders participated, tallying an impressive 119 species, including 21 species of warblers.
Special thanks go to Bill Akers and Jerry Via for organizing the outings and leading the trips throughout the weekend, including a bonus excursion Friday morning to Pandapas Pond, where participants were rewarded with outstanding views and many photographs of a female Red Crossbill and a cooperative Northern Parula. We also appreciated the assistance of several members of the New River Valley Bird Club who helped lead groups: Sally and Doug Pfeiffer, Mike Schultz, and Brent and Laura Slaughter.
Friday afternoon’s visit to the UVA Biological Station began with an unexpected surprise when a pair of Red Crossbills greeted us in the parking area. Blackburnian Warblers also put on a show, flitting through lower branches and giving participants exceptional looks.
On Saturday, we explored Glen Alton and Kelly Flats in Giles County, dividing into three groups to cover both locations. One memorable moment came with the accidental discovery of a Hermit Thrush nest containing eggs after the female flushed as birders gathered around a plant Jerry was pointing out. Blackburnian Warblers were abundant and cooperative despite often remaining high in the trees. Other highlights included Black-throated Blue Warbler, Brown Creeper, Scarlet Tanager, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Veery.
Sunday offered participants two excellent options: Deerfield Trail or the Duck Ponds at Virginia Tech. Both groups enjoyed outstanding looks at Baltimore Oriole and Warbling Vireo.
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the weekend such a success.
Meredith Bell
VSO Field Trip Co-Chair (now retired)
Trip Species List
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Common Merganser
Wild Turkey
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Kildeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Cedar Waxwing
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Eastern Bluebird
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Yellow-breasted Chat
Eastern Meadowlark
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Ovenbird
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Cerulean Warbler
Northern Parula
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
