[TN-Bird] Savage Gulf trip

From: "Rikki Hall" <rikki@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: TN-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:05:58 -0400 (EDT)
I just spent two nights camping in Savage Gulf State Natural Area at the
Sawmill Campsite.  Savage Gulf is the confluence of three floodplains
through which underground creeks flow, making periodic above-ground
excursions.  It is on the western escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau
between Chattanooga and Nashville.  The Chattanooga McMinnville Stage
Coach once rolled through Savage Gulf.


< a
href=http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=16&n=3923847.00008169&e=625344.000001442&datum=nad83
title='topozone.com display'>UTM 16 625344E 3923847N</a> (WGS84/NAD83). 
The topo does not show several significant sinks through which a great
deal of water flows.  Wide riverbeds are dry but for infrequent bouts of
flooding, because water ducks underground and back to the surface as it
heads toward the Collins River, tributary of Caney Fork of Cumberland
River.

I have never been in a place so thick with WORM-EATING WARBLERs.  I hope
it is a wider trend, but I believe it is a consequence of the integrity of
the Savage Gulf forest.  I also had the delight of camping near a KENTUCKY
WARBLER and hearing him sing all morning long.  He was elusive, but I got
a few long looks.  I disturbed a bird in a thicket that flew out of sight
before I could see more than thin markings around the eye.  I think it was
a female Kentucky.

A BLUE-HEADED VIREO had me thinking a great-crested flycatcher had arrived
until I finally realized one of the vireo's phrases was a fine imitation
of the flycatcher's whoop call.  I never saw a great-crested nor heard its
laugh, but I did hear a vireo mix flycatcher mimicry into his repertoire
around camp both days.

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS were abudnant, as were BLACK-THROATED GREEN
WARBLERs, HOODED WARBLERs, NORTHERN PARULA and RED-EYED VIREOS.  A
WHIPPOORWILL joined a pair of BARRED OWLS and various frogs in the
nighttime chorus.  A BLUE-WINGED WARBLER came through camp on the second
morning, singing many times and giving good looks.  I thought I scared a
female OVENBIRD from a nest, but saw no nest.  She walked about fifteen
feet away before I continued down the trail.  A breeding pair of
BLACK-N-WHITE WARBLERs was among the many seen and heard, lots of
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERs too.

SCARLET TANAGERs chirped and occasionally sang, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOWs flew overhead, along with RED-TAILED, RED-SHOULDERED, and
BROAD-WINGED HAWKs.  RED-BELLIED, DOWNY, PILEATED, and likely more
woodpeckers were there.  RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDs buzzed the camp, and I
watched RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET males flare their crowns during an
altercation.

Year-round residents included CAROLINA CHICKADEEs and WRENs and NORTHERN
CARDINAL.

Rich wildflower display in the gorges, spectacular ledges and waterfalls
along the rim, sinkholes that swallow rivers in the bottomlands,
outstanding trail guide free at Ranger Stations and visitor center.

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[TN-Bird] Savage Gulf trip

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