Jack Ogburn phoned in a rare bird last week with a Black-crowned Night Heron at the Meat Camp Creek Environmental Studies area for our second county record for this species! I have not a chance to go see if it might still be around, but be on the lookout. Also present on Friday at the same location was a Great Egret.

Most of our breeding species have returned now and I think Willow Flycatchers are finally back, as are a few Cedar Waxings. Most of the breeding warblers have returned including Ceruleans at Milepost 270 near Jeffress Park, Golden-winged Warblers at Elk Knob Gamelands, and others. A few lingering migrants are still passing through including Blackpoll Warblers, Cape May Warblers, and Northern Waterthrushes.

For more information on birds in the High Country call the Watauga Birding Hotline at 828-265-0198. Also visit www.ncaudubon.org, www.carolinabirdclub.org, and the new High Country Chapter website at www.geocities.com/hcaudubon/.

Also seen last week was a Great Egret also at Meat Camp. Photo by Steven Bullock


Golden-winged Warblers are back including this one I banded last week. Notice the signs of hybridization with the yellowish wash to the upper chest.


Cerulean Warblers are back at their usual haunts. Photo by Cornell Laboratory