FreeLists / tn-bird / [tn-bird] Smoky Mountains

[Charlie <cmmbirds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Folks,

Been busy leading hikes lately, but it's been exciting in Great Smoky
Mountains National Park.!  Dwarf-crested Iris leads the flower hit
parade.   

At least 2 very large patches of ramps have been found (and left
undisturbed!) by Tremont naturalists the last 2 days.

A hike up Ramsey Cascades (Cocke County) yesterday was birdy despite
the rain.  A couple of singing Winter Wrens were the highlight, but
there were loads of Black-and-white Warbler (15+ singing males), gobs
of Black-throated Green Warblers (no idea - heard them from all
around.  One female had something in her bill, but I couldn't tell
what.  Too early for young, so I assume it was nesting material), a
number of Yellow-throated Warblers and Blue-headed Vireos.  One BHVI
had nesting material in it's bill.  One bird sounded a lot like a
Black-throated Blue Warbler, but I'm just not sure.  There were a
handful of Louisiana Waterthrushes, and one small thrush that I
couldn't see enough of.

Around tremont (Blount County) today I saw and heard pretty much the
same species, except the wren.  I also had my first Red-eyed Vireo of
the year.  One Phoebe really confused me with some sort of call that
sounded a LOT like an Acadian Flycatcher - which I wouldn't expect
for a couple more weeks.

Also had my first Broad-winged Hawk of the year today.  Perfect
timing.  I was pointing out to the kids, who'd just found a
caterpillar, that the Tuliptree buds were opening.  Told them that
meant food for caterpillars, which means food for warblers, which
means food for hawks, and voila!  It flew overhead.  So nice of
Mother Nature to help out now and then.

I'm hiking  Chestnut Tops Trail tomorrow, so I expect lots of
flowers.  Had 24 species there last week, in just a 300 yard stretch.

Good day!

charlie

=====
**************************************************
Charlie Muise, Senior Naturalist
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Townsend, TN  lat 35 deg, 38'23"  long 83 deg, 41'22"

"Do something. If it works, do it again. If it does not work, do something 
else. But above all else: Do Something." (Franklin Delano Roosevelt)

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