This time of year can bring some interesting birds to the High Country, especially after passing tropical systems so be on the lookout. Two weeks ago, a first county record American Golden Plover was seen and photographed by Dr. Jim Parnell out at Mount Vernon near the bobolink fields.

See this message below from Jesse Pope with High Country Audubon.

Hello High Country Auduboners,

After a year in formation, the new High Country Audubon chapter will hold its first Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 15. It will take place at the LMC Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station on Puckett Road. Admission for this event is a covered dish to share at the potluck supper, which will be served at 6:15 p.m. Bring your own dinnerware, drinking cup, eating and serving utensils and napkins. Lawn chairs are encouraged also, since seating will be limited. Beverages will be provided by Chapter board members.

There will be a bird walk at 5:00 p.m. to start the evening, led by an LMC student doing his senior project on the breeding birds of the Elk Preserve, our by our very own Dr. Stewart Skeate.

“The Best of 2007 in Words and Pictures” will highlight the chapter’s annual report and the always popular “conservation minute” will address Cleaner Bird Feeders. The Board will share its excitement about future activities, hummingbird banding at Grandfather Mountain, hawk watching, and a possible Florida field trip.

To find the Field Station from the traffic light at Highways 105 and 194 in downtown Banner Elk, go west 2.9 miles on 194, towards Elk Park, to Puckett Road. Turn left on Puckett Road for 1/10th of a mile, cross the Elk River and take the first left into the parking lot. For more about the annual meeting, contact Jesse Pope, highcountrybirder@yahoo.com or call 828-733-4326. You can read more about the High Country Audubon at www.geocities.com/hcaudubon/index.html, where there is chapter news, information about the listserve and links to other important bird sites.

Louisiana Waterthrush are already migrating south and on the move. One was seen at the pond at valle crucis last week. Photo by State Parks


There seem to be plenty of black rat snakes around this year like this one seen a few weeks back raiding a woodpecker cavity at Valle Crucis. Photo by Don Mullaney


Goldfinches are one of our last nesters and won't start til the end of this month usually. This pretty male was photographed by Don Mullaney.