[va_co_birding] Re: Giles County - Ruffed Grouse & Red-breasted Mergs

Larry is right; this is another whole area for discussion: where to go 
birding in ____ county.

Although we have a Virginia birdfinding guide, and VDGIF is publishing 
their birding trail guides, there are still literally dozens of places to 
go birding in Virginia that are generally unknown. They might never make it 
into print - some of them shouldn't, for various reasons - but it's nice to 
be able to find them if we want to find them.

In that part of the world that Larry is talking about, I have always liked 
SR 621, which turns off US 460 in Montgomery County near Pandapas Pond 
(other side of the highway). It parallels Craig Creek for miles, eventually 
crossing into Craig County and finally coming out on a highway that leads 
back south (more or less) to Roanoke. Much of the land is USFS with some 
clearcut areas at various stages of regrowth, some mature forest, and some 
open areas. Saw my first Olive-sided Flycatcher up there, among other things.

Up in Giles County, I am a fan of Butt Mountain - the first place I ever 
saw a Blackburnian Warbler building a nest. Some of the areas up there you 
might need a 4WD vehicle to reach. Lots of birds and black bear, too.

Both of these areas hold the possibility of Red Crossbills... I've seen 
them along the Craig Creek Road two or three times, but not in recent years.

CMS

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