I've been meaning to visit this beautiful place again
all winter after visiting it for the first time on the
Calmes Neck CBC. Well, I made it with one day to
spare. A short walk S on the Appalachian Trail from
Snickers Gap, Bears Den Trail Center is located just
.4 mi. south down Rte. 601 by car. The Center is
affiliated with the Blue Ridge Center for
Environmental Stewardship. A beautiful stone building
sits atop the hill and is used as a lodge for
visitors. A cabin is available for rental, too.
There's a nice little network of trails through the
forest besides the aforementioned Appalachian Trail.
Beautiful views can be obtained of the valley below on
the western edge of the property.
Highlight for me was a brilliant male PINE WARBLER,
seen feeding in a low tree and on the ground before
flying off into the woods with the rest of the
songbird flock. He was nice and bright, little
streaking below. I thought the flock had left the
area but I later relocated them closer to the lodge.
While looking for the warbler, who was singing high in
a Pitch Pine, I found a female RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
in the same tree. 3 EASTERN PHOEBES were present in
the area, at least 2 were singing. Not a bad 2 1/2
hrs. of birding considering the limited habitat
(forest, some edge), late start and windy conditions.
Full list below:
B. Vulture, 4
T. Vulture, 6
R.b. Woodpecker, 3
Y.b. Sapsucker, 1M
Downy Woodpecker, 4
Hairy Woodpecker, 2
No. Flicker, 1
Pileated Woodpecker, 1
E. Phoebe, 3
Am. Crow, 3
Car. Chickadee, 5
T. Titmouse, 2
R.b. Nuthatch, 1F
W.b. Nuthatch, 1
B. Creeper, 1
G.c. Kinglet, 8
Hermit Thrush, 1
Am. Robin, 2
Pine Warbler, 1M
D.e. Junco, 3
No. Cardinal, 2
Scott Baron
Fairfax, Va.
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