FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Roan Mtn Woodcock & Saw-whet Owls

[Dnldhlt@xxxxxxx]

Elizabethton (Herndon)TOS field trip report
Sat. evening, March 8, 2003
Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area (Carter Co.), and
Carvers Gap, Roan Mtn., (Carter Co.,TN / Mitchell Co., NC)

     Rather than our usual late winter trip for Woodcock at Orchard Bog in 
Shady Valley, we chose to search Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area near 
Roan Mtn. for the enigmatic Bogsucker, based on Allan Trently's report of an 
individual that he flushed there last summer.  Three AMERICAN WOODCOCK were 
heard calling, not near the marsh where we at first expected them, but higher 
on the slope in the patchy old-field growth near the forest edge.  The 
elevation there is approximately 3300 ft. On the walk back to the cars, near 
the parking lot a VIRGINIA RAIL was heard calling.
     We proceeded to Carvers Gap (elev. 5512 ft.) to listen for owls.  Oddly, 
there was no wind there (the wind in the Cove must have been cold-air 
drainage).  Conditions were perfect, and we were there only a minute before 
we heard a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL in the distance.  We walked up the road 
toward the Rhododendron Gardens and stopped near the nestbox below the road.  
After a few moments we were entertained by at least two Saw-whet Owls.  At 
least one was probably close enough to see, but we couldn't lay eyes on it.
     A brief stop at Twin Springs to try for Barred Owls was unsuccessful, 
perhaps due to windy conditions.
     Participants were Don Holt, Howard Langrich, Larry McDaniel, Allan 
Trently, Linda and Derek Newman and their neices Laura and Leeanna Robertson. 
 (The Newmans were once the owners of the farm that is now Hampton Creek Cove 
State Natural Area, and had a pleasant reunion with the current caretaker of 
the property.)

Don Holt
Johnson City, TN
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