On a potentially stormy and dark Saturday afternoon I walked down Forest
Service Rd. 3520 (a.k.a Handicapped Road) that begins on the east side of Max
Patch Road at about 4200 feet. The highlights of the half mile walk
consisted of a good variety of birds including a family of immature Indigo
Buntings being led through the forest by the adult female; and, Black-throated
Green, Black-throated Blue (female), Canada and Hooded Warblers. The photos
included from this walk would have not been possible without fill flash due to
very dim light. On a nice Saturday morning the gap on Westley Creek Road
(approx. elevation 4300 feet) was explored. I was surprised to find several
Golden-winged Warblers along the sides of the road north of the gap before the
road entered the forest. Often they would perch in the giant Cow Parsnip
plants that lined the road. There are gorgeous views from the gap looking
eastward toward Crabtree Mt. and the mountains beyond. In addition to the GW
Warblers, Chestnut-sided and Ovenbird warblers were present, along with Indigo
Buntings, Field and Song Sparrows, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, and one
female Rose-breasted Grosbeak was observed. A few photos help capture the
experience.
Alan LenkAsheville
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