May 16 - Quiet day at home

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard at home
American Goldfinch - feeder (2f, f) (m, 3f)
Blue Jay - feeder
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Gray Catbird - heard at home; Heaton Creek Road
House Finch - feeder (m,f)
Indigo Bunting - feeder (m)
Mourning Dove - feeder
Northern Cardinal - feeder (2m) (f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow - feeder
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)

Raccoon - feeder (2:25pm)

May 15 - Year Bird #118 - Green Heron

May 15, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard at home
American Goldfinch - feeder (f, m)
Barn Swallow - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Blue Jay - feeder; elsewhere on the home place (1)
Brown Thrasher - on the home place chasing a Gray Catbird
Carolina Chickadee - feeder; heard at the pond
Chimney Swift - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Chimney Swift - on the home place (4)
Common Raven - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe - Heaton Creek Road
European Starling - Heaton Creek Road
Gray Catbird - heard in the yard; pond (1); elsewhere on the home place (2) one being chased by a Brown Thrasher; Heaton Creek Road (1)

Green Heron - pond - year bird #118
Hooded Warbler - heard on the home place
Indigo Bunting - feeder (m); elsewhere on the home place (m) might be the same one as at the feeder

Mourning Dove - feeder (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow - feeder (1); elsewhere on the home place (1); Heaton Creek Road (1)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
Wood Thrush - heard at home

Bullfrog - pond (3)

Water Strider - pond

May 14 - Run Cricket, Run!

May 14, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard at home
Blue Jay - heard at home; on the home place (4)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Chimney Swift - on the home place
Gray Catbird - on the home place (2)
Mourning Dove - heard at home
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - yard (m)
Song Sparrow - heard in yard; on the home place (1)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder

Bullfrog - pond (2)

large brown cricket - seen while mowing

Groundhog - on the home place
Raccoon - feeder

Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond

May 13 - Tigers Everywhere!

May 13, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard at home; village (3)
American Goldfinch - feeder (1); village (m)
American Robin - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Blue Jay - heard at home
Brown Thrasher - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Chimney Swift - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Common Grackle (4-5)
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee - heard at home
European Starling - Heaton Creek Road (1); village (12)
Gray Catbird - on the home place
Mourning Dove - Heaton Creek Road (1); village (1)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f)
Red-winged Blackbird - Heaton Creek Road (1); heard in village
Song Sparrow - on the home place (1); Heaton Creek Road (3) one w/nesting material
Tree Swallow - village (2) they flew across the yard at the electric company and within 2-3 feet of my face! Wow!

Virginia Opossum - porch 1:00 am
White-tailed Deer - village - dead

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
Barn Swallow (2)
European Starling (2)

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
Mourning Dove

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (6)
Dark-eyed Junco
European Starling
Mourning Dove - heard
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - heard

Eastern Chipmunk

Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - heard

Pipevine Swallowtail - at least (21) I got to hold several!
Spicebush Swallowtail
Tiger Swallowtail

Skunk - smelled

Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (5)
American Robin

Tiger Swallowtail (19+)

Watauga County, North Carolina
Tiger Swallowtail (2)

Johnson County, Tennessee
Tiger Swallowtail (4)

Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Robin
Northern Cardinal (m)

Tiger Swallowtail (13)

Fish Springs, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee
Common Grackle
European Starling

Tiger Swallowtail

Valley Forge, Carter County, Tennessee
European Starling (2)

Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Robin (6)
Chimney Swift (7)
Common Grackle (11)
European Starling (21)
House Sparrow (f)
Killdeer (3)
Mourning Dove (4)
Northern Cardinal (f, m)
Rock Pigeon (5)
Tree Swallow (2)

Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee
American Crow (2)
American Robin
Barn Swallow (2)
Blue Jay - heard
Brown-headed Cowbird (m, f)
Chimney Swift (2)
Common Grackle (2)
European Starling (11)
House Sparrow (f, 2m)
Mourning Dove (4)
Northern Mockingbird
Rock Pigeon (4)

Tiger Swallowtail

May 12 - Thieving Raccon and Agressive Catbird

May 12, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard (3) saw (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m, 2f)
American Robin - yard (1); elsewhere (2)
Barn Swallow - yard/feeder (5); elsewhere on the home place (2); elsewhere (3)
Blue Jay - yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Bluebird - yard (f)
Eastern Phoebe - on the home place (1); elsewhere (1) being bombed by a Gray Catbird
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere on the home place (m); heard elsewhere (1)
European Starling - on the home place (1); elsewhere (1)
Gray Catbird - on the home place (1); elsewhere (1) bombing an Eastern Phoebe
House Finch - feeder (m)
Mourning Dove - feeder (2); elsewhere (3)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow - on the home place (1); elsewhere (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder

Bullfrog - pond

Raccoon - raiding the feeder in bright sunlight at 5:53 pm then on the porch at 7:00 pm

May 11 - 11 Birds

May 11, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard
American Goldfinch - feeder (2f, 2m)
American Robin (2)
Blue Jay - heard
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m, f)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f)
Northern Flicker
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow - heard

May 10 - Three nice warblers in the yard

May 10, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (3)
American Goldfinch - feeder (m, f)
American Redstart - yard (m)
American Robin (5) one was gathering grass
Black-and-white Warbler - yard
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (1-2); elsewhere (3-5)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Chimney Swift
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Gray Catbird
Hooded Warbler - heard
House Finch - feeder (f, m)
Mourning Dove (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Song Sparrow (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler - yard (2); elsewhere (2) possibly same two as in yard

Bullfrog - pond (2)

Pipevine Swallowtail

Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond (2)

Our raccoons are not so polite!

May 9 - FOS May Beetle

May 9, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - home place (2); elsewhere (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (m, 3f)
American Robin - yard (1); elsewhere (8)
Barn Swallow (2)
Blue Jay - yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (4)
Brown Thrasher - home place (1); elsewhere (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Chestnut-sided Warbler - yard (m)
Chimney Swift - heard on the home place
Common Grackle (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Bluebird - yard (f)
Eastern Phoebe - home place (1); elsewhere (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere (f)
European Starling (5)
Mourning Dove - feeder (2); elsewhere on the home place (1); elsewhere (2)
Northern Cardinal - yard (f); elsewhere on the home place (2m); elsewhere (m)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird (2m, f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow - home place (1); elsewhere (1)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
White-breasted Nuthatch - immature & adult
Wood Thrush - heard at home

Bullfrog - pond (3)

May Beetle - bathroom window, First of Season
Pipevine Swallowtail - yard

Chipmunk
Raccoon - porch (2)

Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond (2)

May 8 - Wish I could SEE what I hear!

May 8, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard at home; elsewhere on the home place saw (2); elsewhere saw (5)
American Goldfinch - feeder (f)
American Robin - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Blue Jay - heard at home; elsewhere on the home place saw (1)
Canada Goose - heard at home
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2)
Chestnut-sided Warbler - heard at home
Common Yellowthroat - heard at home
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe - on the home place (1)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
Gray Catbird - on the home place (1)
Hooded Warbler - heard at home
Mourning Dove - yard (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f, m)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - yard (m); elsewhere on the home place (m)
Song Sparrow - on the home place (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard on the home place

Bullfrog - pond (5)
Salamander - pond (2)

Silver-spotted Skipper - yard
Tiger Swallowtail - yard
Unidentified damsel fly - pond - 1.25 - 1.5 inches long, very pale blue
Water Strider - pond (3) two of which were mating

Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond (3)

May 7 - FOS Silver-spotted Skipper

May 7, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - home place (1); elsewhere (5)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m, 2f)
American Robin - village (2)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere (2)
Barn Swallow
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay - yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (4)
Brown Thrasher - yard
Carolina Chickadee - heard at home
Commond Grackle - yard
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Bluebird - yard (f, m)
Eastern Phoebe - home place
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling (18)
Gray Catbird - pond
Mourning Dove - yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (1); elsewhere (1)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f); yard (m)
Red-breasted Nuthatch - heard at pond
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - home place (m)
Song Sparrow - home place (3)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere on the home place (1)
Bullfrog - pond (4)
Green Frog - pond
Salamander - pond
Silver-spotted Skipper - home place, First Of Season
Tiger Swallowtail - feeder (1); yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (2); elsewhere (1)
Water Strider - pond
Chipmunk - middle of yard, ran under the apple tree to get away from the mower
Racer (snake) - driveway
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (2)

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
Mourning Dove
Raccoon - baby - dead

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow - heard
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee

May 6 - Hitchhiking Yellow Jacket and Grasshopper

May 6, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere on the home place (1)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m, 3f)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere on the home place (2)
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (3); elsewhere on the home place (3)
Brown Thrasher - on the home place
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Common Raven - heard at home
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Phoebe - on the home place
Eastern Towhee - heard at home
Gray Catbird - pond (2)
Mourning Dove - yard (2); elsewhere on the home place, saw (1) and heard another
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f); pond (m, 3? - chasing each other through the brush and too much shadow to be sure of gender); elsewhere on the home place (m)

Song Sparrow - feeder (1); heard another elsewhere on the home place
Tufted Titmouse - feeder

Bullfrog - pond (9) new high count for year

big brown Cricket - escaping from the big, bad lawnmower
Grasshopper - rode on my left knee for about 5 minutes while I was mowing
Pipevine or Spicebush Swallowtail - various spots on the home place but could not get a good enough look to be sure which species

Tiger Swallowtail - feeder (1); elsewhere on the home place (1)
Yellow Jacket - rode on the hood of the mower for a while as I was mowing

White-tailed Deer - (6) on the home place, headed for the yard but couldn't see from where I was mowing if they made it there or not

Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond

May 5 - All around the home place...

May 5, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - pond
American Goldfinch - feeder (2f, 2m)
American Robin - on the home place
Blue Jay - home place (4+)
Brown Thrasher - on the home place
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere on the home place (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2); elsewhere on the home place (2)
Eastern Towhee - heard on the home place
Gray Catbird - yard (1) plus three other sightings elsewhere on the home place but it could have been the same bird or it's mate thought we do have 3-4 individuals around

Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f)
Northern Flicker - heard on the home place
Pileated Woodpecker - on the home place
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - on the home place
Song Sparrow - on the home place
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard on the home place
Bullfrog - pond (3)
Salamander - pond
Eastern Amberwing - pond [best match on eNature.com]
Pipevine Swallowtail - on the home place
Rambur's Forktail - pond [best match on eNature.com]
Tiger Swallowtail - on the home place
Water Strider - pond
Raccoon - porch
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond (4)

May 4 - Year birds #105-117

May 4, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - at home (4); Heaton Creek Road (1); Sugar Hollow Road (1); village (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2f); Heaton Creek Road (m)
American Robin - at home (1); Heaton Creek Road (2)
Barn Swallow - Heaton Creek Road (2+)
Belted Kingfisher - Heaton Creek Road
Black-and-white Warbler - at home
Blue Jay - at home (3); Heaton Creek Road (4); Sugar Hollow Road (1)
Canada Goose - heard at home
Carolina Chickadee - home
Chimney Swift - Heaton Creek Road (2)
Common Grackle - village
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Towhee - heard at home
European Starling - Heaton Creek Road (1); Sugar Hollow Road (1); Hwy 143 (2); village (1)
Gray Catbird - Home (1); Heaton Creek Road (1)
Hooded Warbler - heard at home
Mourning Dove - heard at home; Heaton Creek Road (4+)
Northern Cardinal - Hampton Creek Road (m)
Northern Flicker - Home (1); Heaton Creek Road (1) nesting
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Heaton Creek Road (1); village (1)
Pileated Woodpecker - Dark Hollow Road
Red-Winged Blackbird - Sugar Hollow Road (m, f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Home (m)
Song Sparrow - home (1); heard at village
Turkey Vulture - at home (1); village (6)
Wood Thrush - heard at home
Bullfrog - pond
Salamander - pond
Tiger Swallowtail - Hampton Creek Road (1); village (1)
Cottontail - at home
Virginia Opossum - Dark Hollow Road - dead
Six-spotted Fishing Spider - pond - probably a lifer

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - Picnic Shelter #1 (4); elsewhere (2)
American Robin - campground (1); elsewhere (2)
Blue Jay - Picnic Shelter #1 (10-12); campground (1); elsewhere (1)
Common Yellowthroat - heard at Picnic Shelter #1 - year bird #106
Eastern Bluebird (f, m)
Eastern Phoebe - Picnic Shelter #1 (2); campground (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Towhee - Picnic Shelter #1
Gray Catbird - Picnic Shelter #1 (3)
Grey Catbird
Hooded Warbler - First sighting of the year! I've been hearing it since April 24. (year bird 100b?)
House Wren - heard at Picnic Shelter #1 - year bird #107
Magnolia Warbler - Picnic Shelter #1 (m) - year bird #108
Mourning Dove - heard
Northern Cardinal
Northern Parula - campground - year bird #109
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Palm Warbler -year bird #105
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Picnic Shelter #1
Song Sparrow - Picnic Shelter #1 (1); elsewhere (2)
Turkey Vulture - Picnic Shelter #1
Yellow-throated Warbler - campground
Eastern Chipmunk

Burbank, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Robin (4)
Baltimore Oriole - year bird #111
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
Common Grackle (2)
European Starling (8)
House Sparrow (m)
Indigo Bunting - heard
Northern Cardinal (m)
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-winged Blackbird (f, m)
Song Sparrow
Yellow Warbler - year bird #110

Golden-winged Warbler Curve, Hwy 143 climbing the Roan, Carter County, Tennessee
Chestnut-sided Warbler (2)
Golden-winged Warbler (m) - year bird #112 (lifer?)
Gray Catbird
Indigo Bunting (m)
Philadelphia Vireo - year bird #113 - Life Bird
Turkey Vulture

The group decided that the name of this pull-off should now be changed to Philadelphia Vireo Curve.

Hummingbird Hill, Hwy 143 climbing the Roan, Carter County, Tennessee
American Robin
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Phoebe
Gray Catbird
Mourning Dove
Rose-breasted Grosbeak - year bird #114
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (f)

Canada Warbler Pull-off, Hwy 143 climbing the Roan, Carter County, Tennessee
Red-tailed Hawk
Verry - heard - year bird #115
Winter Wren - heard - year bird # 116 - (lifer?)

Yup, no Canada Warbler at Canada Warbler Pull-off!

Carver's Gap, Mitchell County, North Carolina
Dark-eyed Junco (2)

Carver's Gap, Carter County, Tennessee
Canada Warbler - year bird #117
Dark-eyed Junco
Eastern Towhee - heard
Red-breasted Nuthatch

Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard
American Goldfinch (2m)
Barn Swallow (2)
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Chimney Swift
Chipping Sparrow (2)
Common Yellowthroat (2)
Eastern Bluebird (f)
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee (m, f)
Field Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
Mourning Dove - heard
Northern Cardinal - heard
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Yellow Warbler
Eastern Tailed-Blue - lifer
Meadow Fritillary (2+) - lifer
Pipevine Swallowtail (2)
Tiger Swallowtail (2)
Cottontail

Well, there you have it! A big birding day. Thirteen year birds, a lifer or two, and I finally got those 12 pages of field notes transcribed! Altogether I had 51 bird species, 2 amphibians, 4 butterflys, 3 mammals, and 1 spider. Definitely a day of intense intentionality.

May 3 - Owl, Owl, Where are you?

May 3, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Goldfinch - feeder (m)
American Robin (6)
Blue Jay - feeder (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Towhee - feeder (f, m); heard (1) elsewhere
European Starling (3)
Field Sparrow
Gray Catbird
Mourning Dove - yard
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard
Bullfrog - pond (2)

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
Eastern Phoebe

Went on an owl prowl with the folk from the naturalist's rally at the park. At Carver's Gap we tried for Northern Saw-whet, Eastern Screech, and Barred. Nada! Not a "peep".

At Twin Springs called for Eastern Screech, Barred and Great Horned. Nothing! Not a hoot, screech or anything!

Back at the Conference Center they tried calling in a Barred since some folk had heard one last night. A few thought maybe they heard a response but not me. Maybe I'm going deaf in my old age.

May 2 - Holding the Tiger

May 2, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Robin (3)
Blue Jay (2)
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Chickadee - heard at home (1); heard elsewhere (1)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee - at home (m) and heard another one elsewhere
Gray Catbird (2)
Mourning Dove - yard
Northern Flicker - heard
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - heard at home
Wood Thrush - heard at home
Yellow-rumped Warbler (3+)
Tiger Swallowtail - on my fingers! (yard)

Life Eliminates Art

OK, so maybe this blog ain't art but life is sure getting in the way! Was just about to work on catching up but the dog has broken her runner. Gotta go!

May 1 - Blue Jay Nest-building Day

May 1, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - pond (3); elsewhere (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (4f, 3m)
American Robin - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Blue Jay - yard (3) Two were building a nest; pond (2); elsewhere (3)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Common Grackle
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe - heard
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
European Starling (3)
Hooded Warbler - heard
Indigo Bunting
Mourning Dove - feeder
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f); pond (2m); elsewhere (m)
Northern Flicker - heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m)
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler - yard (f)
Pipevine Swallowtail - yard (1); feeder (1)
Tiger Swallowtail (4)
Cottontail
Raccoon - porch

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

April 30 - Big day in BM-A

April 30, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (7)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m, 2f); elsewhere (f)
American Robin (3)
Blue Jay - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Brown Thrasher (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Chipping Sparrow (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (1) It's hard to tell gender when the bird is in deep shadow and you can't see if it is brown or black!

European Starling (11)
House Finch (m)
House Sparrow (2m, f) These are new in this area. With so many people building and moving into the neighborhood guess it was inevitable. We have had starlings for several years now. I like having new birds, but there are way too many people!! Sorry folks but I wish you had picked somewhere else to invade. I guess I understand better how some people feel about "invasive" birds, but so far I prefer the birds. *Grumpy Old Man steps down from his stump*

Mourning Dove (2)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird (4m)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (f, m)
Song Sparrow - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Tree Swallow (3)
Pipevine Swallowtail - feeder We don't have a butterfly feeder. The Pipevine seems to like to flutter by the bird feeders and scare the goldfinches! Yes, the goldfinches are scared of it. When it flies by they twitter and zoom away!

Tiger Swallowtail

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (4)
American Robin

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Robin
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Red-winged Blackbird (m)

Heaton, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
Dark-eyed Junco

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
American Robin
Virginia Opossum - dead

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (7+)
Barn Swallow
Carolina Chickadee (4)
Chimney Swift (3)
Dark-eyed Junco (2)
Eastern Towhee (m)
European Starling
House Finch (m)
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin (2)

I don't recall having this long a list for Beech Mountain (Avery) before. Too busy working I guess, but this evening the weather was fine and I took a few minutes break outside and that's what I saw!

April 29 - Day of the Starlings

April 29, 2008

Happy Birthday, Nancy!!

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere (3)
American Goldfinch - feeder (m, f)
American Robin
Blue Jay (5)
Canada Goose - heard
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling (22+)
Hooded Warbler - heard
House Finch - feeder (2m)
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (2m)
Red-winged Blackbird (4m)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m); elsewhere (m, f)
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2); elsewhere (1)
Wood Thrush - heard (2)
Raccoon - porch
Virginia Opossum - dead

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (3)

Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee
European Starling (2)

Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (4)
American Robin (3)
Chimney Swift (5)
Common Grackle
Eastern Phoebe (2)
European Starling (60+)
House Sparrow (7f, 3m)
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon (10+)
Song Sparrow - heard

April 28 - More Hummingbirds

April 28, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m, f)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere (3) including (1) nesting
Blue Jay - feeder (1); pond (1); elsewhere (4)
Brown Thrasher (1-2) separated by more time than space to be certain it was two individuals but I think they probably were.

Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
Gray Catbird
Hooded Warbler - heard
House Finch - feeder (m)
Mourning Dove - yard (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f, m) He flew up to the feeder she was on and she gave him the seed that was in her beak! I've seen a male feed a female several times but I don't remember seeing a female feed a male before.

Northern Flicker (m, f) mating in a large poplar tree.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (2m, f) for a total of (5) individuals - new high count

Song Sparrow - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
Wood Thrush - heard
Bullfrog - pond
Raccoon - on the porch sometime after midnight. There were two on the porch this evening but by the time I got there one had scampered and I only saw one.

Millipede (1/2 - 2/3) Same kind as yesterday only a little slimmer and missing it's head and then some.

April 27 - Year Bird #104 Gray Catbird

April 27, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - yard
American Goldfinch - feeder (m)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere (2) one of them nesting
Blue Jay - feeder (2); elsewhere (7)
Brown Thrasher - heard
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere (f, m)
European Starling - yard
Gray Catbird - pond - year bird #104
Hooded Warbler - heard
Mourning Dove - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (2m)
Northern Flicker - heard
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m, f) FOS female
Song Sparrow (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
Wood Thrush - heard (2)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - yard (3); elsewhere (2+)
Bullfrog - pond
Small frog - pond
Pipevine Swallowtail
Water Strider - pond
Raccoon - porch
Millipede - I brought it home and took the photo below. Actual size is 2 inches long.

April 26 - Year Bird #103 Indigo Bunting

April 26, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (8)
American Goldfinch - feeder (m); elsewhere (1)
American Robin (2)
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay - feeder (1); pond (1)
Brown Thrasher (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Towhee (2) and heard at least (2) more
European Starling (3)
Indigo Bunting - feeder (m) - year bird #103
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f); elsewhere (f)
Pine Siskin
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Song Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard (2)
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - (3)
Pipevine Swallowtail (3)
Raccoon - porch

April 25 - Year Bird #102 Barred Owl

April 25, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (3m, 2f)
American Robin (2 nesting) I've been trying to get a good enough look at a nesting bird to identify it. Finally today I got to identify it.

Barred Owl - heard - year bird #102
Blue Jay - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Carolina Wren
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling
Mourning Dove - heard
Northern Cardinal (m)
Northern Flicker - heard
Pine Siskin - feeder
Song Sparrow - feeder
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Wood Thrush - heard (2)
Yellow-rumped Warbler - yard (3+); elsewhere (8-10)
Bullfrog - pond
Pipevine Swallowtail - yard
Water Strider - pond

April 24 - Close encounter with a glowing bat

April 24, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (3)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2m)
American Robin - yard (1); elsewhere (3) one nesting
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (3); pond (1); elsewhere (1)
Brown Thrasher - pond
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere saw (1) and heard another
Carolina Wren
Chimney Swift
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m); elsewhere (m, f) and heard another. The male was displaying for the female, tail-fanning etc.

Hooded Warbler - heard - year bird #100
Mourning Dove
Orchard Oriole (m) - year bird #101
Pine Siskin - feeder
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - yard (1); elsewhere (m)
Song Sparrow - pond (1); elsewhere (1)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
Wood Thrush - heard
Yellow-rumped Warbler (4)

Bullfrog - pond (4) new high count. I had spotted two and was about to leave when I heard a croak, the first of the year. Rescanning in the direction of the croak I spotted two additional bullfrogs. They gave themselves away!

Salamander - pond (2)
Damselfly - pond (1) very pale blue damselfly about 11/2 inches long making egg-laying motions around the edge of a broken lily pad. From what I can find I think it was probably a bluet of some sort.

Pipevine Swallowtail - pond
Water Strider - pond (3)
American Red Squirrel - yard
Eastern Red Bat - year/life mammal - I heard something flying toward me from behind and whirled around in time to see an orangeish bat swoop to within about four feet of my head. I was in a small meadow about 40 feet from the edge of a small grove in bright sunlight at 4:35 pm. The fur on this bat seemed to glow in the sunlight and I watched it fly around the meadow and head towards our driveway through the woods at the upper end.

Raccoon - porch

Rare Gene

see more crazy cat pics

April 23 - Year Bird #99 Black-throated Blue Warbler

April 23, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - (9)
American Goldfinch - feeder (m, f)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere (1 nesting)
Black-throated Blue Warbler - year bird #99
Blue Jay - feeder (3); elsewhere (4)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Common Grackle (2)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder
Eastern Phoebe - yard
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling (36+)
Mourning Dove - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (3)
Northern Flicker - heard
Pine Siskin - feeder This ornery little bird was sitting on the tube feeder grabbing sunflower seeds as fast as it could and throwing them far and wide. I don't know if it ever slowed down long enough to eat any but when I got back home this evening the seed level was down three inches!

Red-winged Blackbird - heard
Song Sparrow - heard
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Bullfrog - pond
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail - FOS; elsewhere (2); yard (1)
Eastern Grey Squirrel (2)

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
Eastern Towhee - heard

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (11)
Dark-eyed Junco (2)
European Starling (6)
Mourning Dove
Tufted Titmouse

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
American Robin (7)
European Starling

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (2)

Driving with the windows down sure makes it easier to hear the birds even if it is harder to see them while driving.

April 22 - Year Bird #98 Wood Thrush

April 22, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (5)
American Robin - yard (2); elsewhere (1)
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay - feeder (3); elsewhere (3)
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Chickadee (3)
Carolina Wren - This wren pointed out the Brown Thrasher for me. As I was observing the wren it flew into a tree and as I refocused on it I saw something behind it. It was a Brown Thrasher well hidden further back in the branches. I never would have seen it if the wren had not shown it to me.

Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m) this morning; also heard (2) calling in the evening.
Mourning Dove (3)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Northern Flicker - heard several times but could not find it (them.)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m); elsewhere (1 or 2m)
Song Sparrow - feeder
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
White-throated Sparrow
Wood Thrush - heard - year bird #98
Yellow-rumped Warbler (3)
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Water Strider - pond (2)
American Red Squirrel - pond
Gray Squirrel
Raccoon - porch

April 21 - Year Birds #95-97

April 21, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere (4)
American Robin (3)
Black-and-white Warbler - year bird #96
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (7); elsewhere (5+)
Dark-eyed Junco - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee (f) I think this is the first female of the season here.
European Starling (9)
Mourning Dove - feeder (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (2m)
Northern Flicker - yard (2); elsewhere (1)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (7)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Song Sparrow (2)
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler - year bird #95
Bullfrog - pond
Water Strider - pond (3)
Gray Squirrel
Groundhog - dead
Virginia Opossum - dead

Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (2)
Rock Pigeon

Valley Forge, Carter County, Tennessee
European Starling (7)
Great Blue Heron
Mallard (2)
Rock Pigeon (3)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (5+)
American Robin (2)
Chimney Swift
Common Grackle (20+)
European Starling (21+)
House Sparrow (6+)
Mallard
Mourning Dove (4)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4)
Osprey - year bird #97
Rock Pigeon (7)
Turkey Vulture
Groundhog - dead

Sycamore Shoals State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Robin (6)
Blue Jay (2)
Canada Goose (34+)
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
Chimney Swift (5)
Chipping Sparrow (7)
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Bluebird (f)
Eastern Towhee
European Starling (6)
Field Sparrow
House Finch (2m, 2f)
Mallard (7m, f)
Mourning Dove (3)
Northern Cardinal (2m, 2f)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (5+)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow (2)
Gray Squirrel (2)

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

April 20 - Another day at home

April 20, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - heard (2+)
American Robin (2)
Blue Jay - feeder (1); elsewhere (3)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Chimney Swift
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m) and heard another
House Finch - feeder (m, f)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Song Sparrow - feeder
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (2)
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Raccoon - porch
White-tailed Deer - yard (3)

April 19 - All within walking distance of home

April 19, 2008
Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere (1) and heard (4+)
American Goldfinch (m)
Blue Jay - feeder (2); elsewhere (8+)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Common Raven
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
House Finch - feeder (f, m)
Mourning Dove - feeder (2)
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m, f); elsewhere (m)
Northern Flicker - yard
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Pine Siskin - feeder
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Song Sparrow (1) and heard (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Turkey Vulture (2)
White-throated Sparrow
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Salamander - pond (2)
Small frog - pond
Water Strider - pond
American Red Squirrel
Raccoon - on the porch at 9:10 am

April 18 - Back home with Tigers

April 18, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (1) and heard another
American Robin (2)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (3)
Tufted Titmouse - heard
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
American Red Squirrel
Groundhog

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (3)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored}

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Robin
Common Grackle
European Starling (2)

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (6)
American Robin (5)
Blue Jay (5)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (3+)
Carolina Chickadee (4)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored}
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee - heard
European Starling (5)
Mourning Dove (1) and heard another
Northern Cardinal (m)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Tufted Titmouse - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Yellow-rumped Warbler (2+)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Water Strider - pond
Cottontail

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

April 17 - Plenty of driving, not so many birds

April 17, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
American Goldfinch
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (2)
Pine Siskin (2)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cottontail (2)
Gray Squirrel (3)
White-tailed Deer (4)

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (3)

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
Mourning Dove (2)

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Robin (3)

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Robin
Eastern Towhee - yard (m)
European Starling (9)
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal - yard (m)
Raccoon - porch

April 16 - Cottontail with a death wish

April 16, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow - heard (3) saw (2)
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee (4)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (2)
Downy Woodpecker (m)
Hairy Woodpecker (m)
Mourning Dove (2)
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch (m)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Tufted Titmouse (2)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chipmunk
Cottontail - with a death wish. It had already crossed the road but turned back and ran down the middle of my lane for a while before deciding it was ready to let me pass and veered on across the road and let me by. Around another curve or two was a normal cottontail. It finished crossing, sat on the side of the road and watched me go by. (2)

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
European Starling (4)
Mourning Dove (4)

April 15 - Tax Day Run Around

April 15, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (8)
American Robin (6)
Carolina Chickadee (4)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (11)
Downy Woodpecker (m, f)
Hairy Woodpecker (f)
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3)
Tufted Titmouse (2)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Wild Turkey (m)
American Red Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Groundhog
White-tailed Deer (6)

Genesis Wildlife/Buckeye Lake, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (3)
American Robin (2)
Blue Jay (2)
Carolina Chickadee (2)
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (4)
Eastern Towhee (2m)
Mallard
Mourning Dove (2)
Northern Flicker
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (3)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Song Sparrow
Gray Squirrel (3)

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
American Robin

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
American Robin
Cooper's Hawk
European Starling
Mourning Dove

Heaton, Avery County, North Carolina
Wild Turkey (f)

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
European Starling
Mourning Dove (4)

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Robin (3)
Carolina Chickadee - yard
European Starling (22+)
Northern Cardinal (m)

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (3)

Hampton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

Valley Forge, Carter County, Tennessee
Mourning Dove

Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee
American Robin (4)
European Starling (6)
Killdeer
Raccoon - dead

Sycamore Shoals State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
Eastern Towhee - heard 2-3
Mallard
Northern Cardinal - heard
Northern Rough-winged Swallow

April 14 - Year Bird #94 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird

April 14, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow
American Goldfinch (m)
American Robin (4)
Carolina Chickadee (2)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (3)
Downy Woodpecker (f, m)
Hairy Woodpecker (f, m)
Northern Flicker
Pine Siskin
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Red Squirrel
Gray Squirrel

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (6)

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Robin
European Starling (3)

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (6)
American Goldfinch - feeder (3f, 4m); yard (1) total (8)
American Robin - yard (2)
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay - feeder (1); elsewhere (3)
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Chickadee - yard (2)
Chipping Sparrow
Common Grackle (25+)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling (3)
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - feeder (m) year bird #94
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Virginia Opossum - dead

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Robin

April 13 - Juncos 13

April 13, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (2)
American Goldfinch (2m, 2f)
American Robin (7)
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (13)
Downy Woodpecker (m, f)
Hairy Woodpecker (f, m)
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin
Red-breasted Nuthatch (3)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch (2)
American Red Squirrel
Cottontail
Gray Squirrel

April 12 - Year Bird #93 - Chimney Swift

April 12, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
American Goldfinch (f, 2m)
Brown-headed Cowbird
Carolina Chickadee (2)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (3)
Downy Woodpecker (m, f)
Hairy Woodpecker (m, f)
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch (2m)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chipmunk
Gray Squirrel (3)
Red Squirrel

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2)
Chimney Swift (2) - year bird #93
European Starling (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder

April 11 - Roan Mountain 666

April 11, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (3+)
American Robin (2)
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (5)
Eastern Towhee - heard
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Chipmunk
Gray Squirrel

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
European Starling

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
American Robin
European Starling

Elk Park, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
Common Grackle (3)

Roan Mountain, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow
American Goldfinch - feeder (5m, 3f)
American Robin (6)
Blue Jay - yard
Carolina Chickadee - feeder
Common Grackle (6)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} - feeder (2)
Eastern Towhee - feeder (m)
European Starling (6)
Killdeer
Northern Cardinal - yard (m)
Pine Siskin - feeder
Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - yard
Cottontail - dead
Virginia Opossum - dead
White-tailed Deer (2)

Roan Mountain State Park, Carter County, Tennessee
American Crow (3)

April 10 - The nuthatches didn't read the book!

April 10, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow
American Goldfinch (2f, 2m)
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (2)
Downy Woodpecker (f, m)
Hairy Woodpecker (m, f)
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin (2)
Purple Finch (f, 2m)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (4)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chipmunk
Gray Squirrel (2)
Red Squirrel

I read somewhere that Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches do not occupy the same territory. "If you have one you don't have the other." Well, that is just wrong! I have on many occasions observed both Red and White sharing the same feeder as I did today. I guess one cannot believe everything one reads! "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1Thessalonians 5:21

April 9 - Semi-friendly Red-breasted Nuthatch

April 9, 2008
Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow (4)
American Goldfinch (m, 2f)
American Robin (2)
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored} (11+)
One of the juncos today was hopping around on my car with nesting material looking very interested in the space below the windshield wipers while another one watched. I opened the door and suggested that they find a safer place to nest. They took my advice.

Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Mourning Dove (2)
Pine Siskin (4)
Purple Finch (m, 2f)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2+)
I sidled up to one at the feeder and it waited until my hand was just over a foot from it before flying about three feet away to a tree branch. I backed off and it came right back to eat so I let it dine in peace.

Tufted Titmouse
Turkey Vulture
White-breasted Nuthatch
Chipmunk
Cottontail (3)
Gray Squirrel (3)
Groundhog
Red Squirrel
White-tailed Deer
Brown Stinkbug

Genesis Wildlife/Buckeye Lake, Beech Mountain, Watauga County, North Carolina
American Crow – heard
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee
Dark- eyed Junco {slate-colored} (5)
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Towhee – heard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal (2m)
Northern Flicker
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2)
Song Sparrow
Chipmunk
Gray Squirrel (3)

Beech Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow (3)
Song Sparrow

Banner Elk, Avery County, North Carolina
American Crow
Mourning Dove (2)

Please vote!

I added a poll (top of sidebar) asking if you find it helpful to have each species linked to more information about it. I thought it would be helpful but am finding it takes a bit of time to do so. If no one cares (uses) the links then I may stop making them. So please vote and let me know what you think.

April 8 - New season high Bullfrog and Tiger count

April 8, 2008
North Carolina - Watauga County - Beech Mountain
American Crow (3)
American Goldfinch
American Robin (4)
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] (3)
Downy Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Pine Siskin (4)
Purple Finch (2m, 3f)
Red-breasted Nuthatch (2)
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red Squirrel

North Carolina - Watauga County - Beech Mountain - Genesis Wildlife/Buckeye Lake
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored}
Mourning Dove - heard
Northern Cardinal (f)
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (4)
Song Sparrow
Gray Squirrel (4)

North Carolina - Avery County - Fall Creek
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored}

North Carolina - Avery County - Heaton
American Crow (2)

North Carolina - Avery County - Elk Park
American Crow
Common Grackle (2)
Mourning Dove
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow (5)
American Goldfinch - yard (2m, 3f)
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee - yard (2)
Eastern Towhee - heard
European Starling (5)
Mourning Dove (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Bullfrog - pond (3) season high count
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (2) season high count

Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain State Park
American Crow (2)

North Carolina - Avery County - Beech Mountain
American Robin (2)
Dark-eyed Junco {slate-colored}
Mourning Dove (3)

April 7 - FOS Tiger Swallowtail

April 7, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow - yard (2); elsewhere (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (1) + heard (3) others
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2); elsewhere (1)
Common Grackle (2)
Cottontail - dead
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe
Killdeer
Mourning Dove (2)
Northern Cardinal - (m, f) under our mostly empty feeder, he would find a sunflower seed, shell it, and run over and feed it to her.
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Song Sparrow - feeder
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - first of season
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1) + another (1) heard at the same time

Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain State Park
White-tailed Deer

North Carolina - Avery County - Elk Park
American Crow
Common Grackle (5)
European Starling
Virginia Opossum - dead

North Carolina - Avery County - Heaton
Northern Rough-winged Swallow

North Carolina - Avery County - Banner Elk
American Crow
Unidentified Hawk - probably Red-tailed

North Carolina - Avery County - Beech Mountain
American Crow

North Carolina - Watauga County - Beech Mountain
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] (3)
Mourning Dove
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-tailed Deer (2)

North Carolina - Watauga County - Beech Mountain - Genesis Wildlife/Buckeye Lake
American Crow - heard
Carolina Chickadee (3)
Chestnut-sided Warbler (f)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] (4)
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee (m)
European Starling
Gray Squirrel (3)
Mourning Dove
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (2)
Pied-billed Grebe
Song Sparrow - heard

April 6 - A snake like no other

April 6, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow - yard (2); elsewhere (3)
American Goldfinch (7)
American Robin (2)
Blue Jay - yard (1); elsewhere (5+)
Carolina Chickadee (2)
Carolina Wren - yard: there were two but I only got to see one
Eastern Phoebe (2)
European Starling
Northern Cardinal (f)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Pine Siskin (3)
Red-shouldered Hawk I don't remember one of these around here for a long time if ever
Turkey Vulture (3)
Water Striders - pond
Common Garter Snake - boggy area at edge of yard: best guess, that's what it looked most like but it didn't MATCH any of the 200+ pictures I scanned online. I did read many, many times that the coloration was HIGHLY variable. It was about 2 feet long, very slender, with a clearly defined, thin back stripe, little checker-board spots along the side, with a lighter band before the belly. Sounds like the written descriptions but no luck finding a picture match.

April 5 - Brown-headed Cowbird

April 5, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow (6)
American Goldfinch - feeder
American Robin (8)
Blue Jay - feeder
Brown-headed Cowbird (2) following a flock of unidentified blackbirds
Bullfrog - pond
Canada Goose (2)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere (4)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored]
Eastern Towhee - heard
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal (2f, 2m)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Raccoon - porch
Salamander - pond
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Water Strider - pond

April 4 - Not a great birding day

April 4, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow - heard
American Goldfinch - feeder
Blue Jay - feeder
Bullfrog - pond
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f); elsewhere (f)
Raccoon - porch
Salamander - pond (2)
Small frogs - pond (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
Water Striders - pond

April 3 - last Killdeer seen at 9:55 pm

April 3, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow (8)
American Goldfinch - feeder (8)
American Robin (5)
Blue Jay - feeder (2)
Blue-headed Vireo
Carolina Chickadee - feeder, yard (3); elsewhere (2)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Eastern Bluebird (m)
Eastern Towhee (m)
European Starling (2) mating
House Finch (3m, f)
Mourning Dove - heard
Northern Cardinal - feeder (f), yard (m,f); elsewhere (2m, f)
Pileated Woodpecker (m)
Pine Siskin - feeder (2)
Red-breasted Nuthatch - feeder
Song Sparrow (3)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Turkey Vulture (2)
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-tailed Deer (4+)
White-throated Sparrow (2)

Tennessee - Carter County - Hampton
Virginia Opossum - dead
Rock Pigeon (2)

Tennessee - Carter County - Valley Forge
Rock Pigeon (2)

Tennessee - Cater County -Elizabethton
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling (8)
Killdeer (4)
Mourning Dove (2)
Rock Pigeon (2)

2 States, 2 Counties, 2 April...hmm, coincidence?

April 2, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
Blue Jay - feeder (3) + (1) in yard
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
American Goldfinch - feeder (4)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (3); elsewhere (1)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Pine Siskin - feeder
American Crow (5)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Song Sparrow - yard
Salamander - pond (4) I need to learn to identify these
Small frog - pond
Bullfrog - pond (2)
Water Strider - pond
Red-winged Blackbird (m) sitting in an apple tree harmonizing with a Brown Thrasher
Brown Thrasher - sitting in an apple tree harmonizing with a Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (m)
Eastern Towhee - heard
Eastern Bluebird (m)
Mourning Dove - heard
European Starling (2)
American Robin (2)
Common Grackle
Raccoon - porch

Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain State Park
American Crow (4)
White-tailed Deer (2)

North Carolina - Avery County - Heaton
American Crow

North Carolina - Avery County - NC194 between Heaton and Banner Elk
Virginia Opossum - dead

North Carolina - Avery County - Banner Elk
American Crow (3)
American Robin

North Carolina - Avery County - Beech Mountain
American Crow (5)
American Robin
Mourning Dove (4)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored]

April 1 - Passenger Pigeon & Carolina Parakeet

April 1, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere (20)
American Goldfinch - feeder (3)
American Red Squirrel (3) new high count. I can only remember seeing two at a time there before.
American Robin - yard; elsewhere (5)
Blue Jay - feeder (1); yard (6); elsewhere (1) doing hawk calls
Brown Thrasher - yard
Bullfrog - pond
Canada Goose (2) so close but not quite over the yard.
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (1) + yard (1); elsewhere (2)
Carolina Wren - heard
Common Raven - heard
Cooper's Hawk perched in a tree about thirty feet away. Then it swooped into a row of forsythia and flushed (6) European Starlings.
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored]
Eastern Bluebird (2m)
Eastern Phoebe - yard
Eastern Towhee - heard
European Starling (12)
House Finch (2m, 2f)
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal (m, f)
Pine Siskin - yard actually in a pine tree!
Salamander - pond
Song Sparrow - feeder (1); elsewhere (2)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Turkey Vulture
Water Striders - pond

and so ends March...

March 31, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow (5)
American Robin (7)
Blue Jay - feeder (2); elsewhere (6)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (2)
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Eastern Towhee (m)
Northern Flicker [yellow-shafted]
Pileated Woodpecker - heard (2)
Raccoon - porch
Song Sparrow - feeder
Tufted Titmouse - feeder
White-throated Sparrow

Well March was a good birding month. Thirty-four year birds. Several lifers including the Eurasian Collared-Dove. Hope April can live up to March!

Blue-headed Vireo and two more year birds

March 30, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
American Crow (3)
American Goldfinch - feeder
American Red Squirrel
American Robin (11)
Blue Jay - feeder (1); elsewhere (6)
Blue-headed Vireo - year bird
Brown Thrasher
Bullfrog - pond - first one this year
Bullfrog tadpoles - lots at the pond
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2); elsewhere (2)
Carolina Wren - yard (1); elsewhere (1)
Chestnut-sided Warbler - yard (f) - year bird
Common Raven
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (1); elsewhere (4)
Eastern Towhee (m)
European Starling (2)
House Finch (2f, m)
Northern Cardinal - yard (f, m); elsewhere (f, m)
Pileated Woodpecker - heard
Pine Siskin - feeder (3); yard (16+)
Raccoon - porch
Red-breasted Nuthatch - feeder (1); elsewhere (1)
Salamander species - pond (2)
Sharp-shinned Hawk (2) - year bird
Song Sparrow - feeder; elsewhere (4)
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse - feeder; elsewhere (4)
Turkey Vulture - yard (2)
White-breasted Nuthatch
White-throated Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Rusty Blackbird & American Redstart

March 29, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
Blue Jay - feeder (2) + yard (1); neighbor's (4+)
Tufted Titmouse - feeder (1); elsewhere (5)
American Robin - yard (13)
American Crow - yard (1); elsewhere (3)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder (2); yard (5)
Song Sparrow - feeder
Red-breasted Nuthatch - feeder
Northern Cardinal - feeder (m); elsewhere (2m, 2f)
American Goldfinch - feeder (2) + yard (2)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (1); neighbor's (2)
Northern Flicker [yellow-shafted] (1m, 1?)
Red-winged Blackbird - yard (2m, 15f); neighbor's (32f)
Pine Siskin - feeder
Red-bellied Woodpecker - yard
Eastern Phoebe (2)
Rusty Blackbird - pond (4) - year bird
American Redstart - pond (2m) - year bird
American Red Squirrel (1m, 1?)
Brown Thrasher
Carolina Wren with nesting material
White-throated Sparrow
House Finch (f, 2m)
White-breasted Nuthatch
Great Blue Heron
Common Raven
Eastern Towhee - heard

Titmice to Coons

March 28, 2008
Tennessee - Carter County - Roan Mountain
Tufted Titmouse (3)
Blue Jay - feeder (2); neighbor's (1)
Dark-eyed Junco [slate-colored] - feeder (2); neighbor's (2)
American Goldfinch - feeder (6)
American Crow (7)
Carolina Chickadee - feeder; neighbor's
Song Sparrow - yard; neighbor's
Water Strider - pond
American Red Squirrel
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Towhee - heard
Northern Cardinal (m, 2f)
Carolina Wren
Turkey Vulture
Eastern Phoebe - feeder
Pine Siskin - feeder
American Robin
Eastern Bluebird (m)
Brown Thrasher
Red-breasted Nuthatch - feeder
White-breasted Nuthatch
Raccoon - porch (2)