Some may have seen Scott Somershoe's Facebook posts about his bike big day
yesterday in Colorado. Scott and I had been talking about doing a big day
by bicycle for a few years before either of us actually tried one. After I
moved back to Northeast Tennessee, Scott did one in he Nashville area and
was able to check off 106 species. Since then I have been thinking about a
good route for both birds and biking in this area. In mid April Tom McNeil
and I scouted a route that would start at Carver's Gap before dawn and end
up in Elizabethton or Johnson City, however far I made it before dark. On
April 29th I started out at 0500 at Carver's Gap, rode over to Hampton
Creek Cove, then over Pond Mountain to Watauga Lake. After the lake I was
headed towards Watauga Dam but got a flat on Siam Rd. I was running late
so I headed to Elizabethton to finish out the day. Before the flat I was
on track to break 100 species, but in the end finished with only 92
species. I never really threatened Scott's mark, but it was fun combining
biking with birding. More details here (http://tenbirdsblog.blogspot.com/)
if anyone is interested. I am trying to figure out a better route for next
year - less cars and dogs, more birds, and no flats. Anyone want to come
along? : )
Thanks to Tom McNeil for all the help.
David Kirschke
Johnson City, TN
http://tenbirdsblog.blogspot.com/
