On Friday morning Scott Turner, Brenda Richards, Gary Cooper, Vivian Cooper,
Jennifer Quinn, Roy Knispel, Jim Anderson and I had an excellent trip to Roan
Mountain. We birded at Carver's Gap, Hummingbird Hill, Twin Springs Picnic Area
and a roadside pull off near Carver's Gap. We had 32 species which is pretty
good that high up.The weather turned out great.
Highlights were a Broad-winged Hawk and Canada Warblers at the pull off, an
Alder Flycatcher, a Winter Wren, a Common Yellowthroat, a Hooded Warbler,
Chestnut-sided Warblers and 8 Red Crossbills at Carvers Gap, Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks and Pine Siskins at Hummingbird Hill, Least Flycatchers, Veerys, a
Black-throated Blue Warbler and a Scarlet Tanager at Twin Springs.
The crossbills were spotted flying over and then landing in a tree not too far
off. Jim was able to photograph one of them. He also got an amazing picture of
a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in flight.
Complete list: CG = Carvers Gap, HH = Hummingbird Hill, TS = Twin Springs
Picnic Area, road = roadside pull off.
Turkey Vulture 2 CG
Broad-winged Hawk 1 road (not by all)
Mourning Dove 1 CG, 1 HH
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 6+ HH
Alder Flycatcher 1 CG
Least Flycatcher 2+ TS
Eastern Phoebe 1 HH, 1 TS
Blue-headed Vireo 1 CG, 1 road
Red-eyed Vireo 1 road
Tufted Titmouse 1 road
White-breasted Nuthatch 1 HH
House Wren 1 HH
Winter Wren 1 CG (Scott)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2+ CG
Veery 1 CG, 2+ TS
American Robin 2+ CG
Gray Catbird 2+ CG
Brown Thrasher 1 HH
Cedar Waxwing 6+ CG
Common Yellowthroat 1 CG
Hooded Warbler 1 CG
Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 CG
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 TS (Larry)
Canada Warbler 2 road
Eastern Towhee 2+ CG
Dark-eyed Junco 2+ CG
Scarlet Tanager 1 TS (Larry)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 4+ HH
Brown-headed Cowbird 1 HH
Red Crossbill 8 CG
Pine Siskin 4+ HH
American Goldfinch 4+ HH
Lunch at Smoky Mountain Bakery was a fine way to top off the day. Thanks to all
who attended.
Larry McDaniel
