[bcbirdclub] Burkes Garden Outing
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <mayhorn@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 23:08:29 -0500
Hi All,
Today, the 9th, twenty-two members and friends of Buchanan County Bird Club
gathered to bird Burkes Garden in Tazewell County. The day's weather began with
a crisp 37 degrees and beautiful sunshine. Black Ducks and Mallards were the
first waterfowl encounters of the day at the entrance pond to the Garden.
The first surprising bird of the day was an adult Bald Eagle found perched on a
dead snag near the stream not far from the pond. Eagle-eyed Tom Hunter spotted
the bird, and within seconds another Bald Eagle was spotted on the ground
nearby. The second eagle flew up to perch near the first, giving everyone great
views with binoculars and scopes.
As the day progressed Golden Eagles were spotted. At one time four Golden
Eagles were observed in the air at once. Two of them were doing aerial
courtship displays with diving and attempts at locking talons. The group
finished the day with 10 Golden Eagles.
Red-tailed Hawks seemed to be everywhere with everyone hoping for a
Rough-legged Hawk. Finally Tom Hunter got a look at one, as it quickly
disappeared. Later Mollie McCutcheon spotted a beautiful adult Rough-legged
playing on the wind. With the bird flying and kiting with the mountain as a
backdrop the gray and white really stood out, especially the white undersides
where the bold black patches were in sharp contrast to the white under body and
wings. Four Rough-leggs was the high count for that species by the end of the
day.
As the day advanced the wind began to pick up, and by noon some of the gusts
were strong enough to cause birders to stagger around as if they had been
partaking of the grape a bit too much. Then again it may not have been the wind
at all. It may have been the amusing antics of Don Carrier, Jerry Thornhill and
Mollie McCutcheon as they did a lifebird dance in the middle of the road, after
having just gotten great looks at their first Rough-legged Hawk. There are
photos to prove it.
After having lunch at the Garden's country store the group braved the wind and
went in search of waterfowl. It wasn't long before several Teal and Mallards
were found along a section of stream. Everyone got good scope views.
The BCBC was not the only group birding Burkes Garden today. Members of the New
River Valley Bird Club and the Watauga Bird Club of North Carolina were also
present to enjoy the scenery, the great birding and the great fun. It was a day
to remember.
Below is the complete list of 40 species found in the Garden today.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
Golden Eagle 10
Bald Eagle 2
Rough-legged Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 17
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Kestrel 6
Northern Harrier 1
Common Raven 27
American Crow 200+
Canada Goose 2
Green-winged Teal 17
American Black Duck 14
Mallard 49
Hooded Merganser 1
Great Blue Heron 5
Belted Kingfisher 2
Killdeer 8
Wild Turkey 2
Turkey Vulture 1
Black Vulture 2
Mourning Dove 10
Rock Pigeon 49
Northern Cardinal 1
Blue Jay 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 5
Carolina Wren 1
American Goldfinch 21
Eastern Meadowlark 7
Horned Lark 55
American Robin 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Song Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
House Sparrow 30
Red-winged Blackbird 10
European Starling 800
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