Daryl, Dave and Mike,
Congratulations to you guys for finding the Townsend's and Black Terns. It
appears that you fellows had a great birding day, and got some great photos.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
-----Original Message-----
From: bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Daryl Owens
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 9:03 PM
To: Buchanan County Bird Club
Subject: [bcbirdclub] Townsend's Solitaire - Grandfather Mtn. NC
This morning Dave Worley, Mike Sanders and myself woke up before the Jungle
Fowl and headed for Grandfather Mountain, NC to try for the very rare
Townsend's Solitaire that has traveled far from its breeding range in the
northwest part of the country for a visit. We arrived just minutes after
the park opened and still had to wait in line for a few minutes to get in.
We went straight to the top of the mountain, walked out in the middle of the
mile-high swinging bridge and found the bird perched in the top of a spruce
tree, where we, as well as many other birders, oohed and ahhed at this
beautiful thrush as it seemed to pose for the many camera lenses that were
pointed at it. We then went to the Nature Center to find Red-breasted
Nuthatches, Juncos and Pine Siskins at the bird feeders, but struck out on
the Red Crossbills that the park naturalist, Jessee Pope, had said were
coming several times a day. After leaving there we drove to Shady Valley,
TN where we tried and failed to find a Virginia Rail. Mike then treated
Dave and I with a ride on his pontoon on S. Holston Lake to find the second
addition to my life list for the day, Black Terns. We also relocated the
two Laughing Gulls Mike had found yesterday and four Caspian Terns mixed in
with the fourteen Black Terns. After this we headed to Musick's campground
where we didn't find much and finally to Paddle Creek ponds where we found
two Spotted Sandpipers. Our beautiful day of birding was then capped off by
an Osprey and an adult Bald Eagle seen together briefly above us over Paddle
Creek pond. Thinking that that would be hard to top, we pointed our wagon
northward and headed home. Thanks to my two great traveling companions for
a great day of birding and thanks especially to Mike for sharing his
stunning photography that follows!
Daryl Owens,
Oakwood VA
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