Most birds molt some or most of their feathers here at the end of the breeding season and so they spend a lot more time preening, feeding, and bathing. The nestlings have been out of the nest for a a while now and are on their own, so the "empty nesters" have some me time now. But molting is hard work and requires extra energy and time. With no territory to defend, singing rates slow (although you can still hear most species at least once a day while still present on the breeding grounds). Another thing to keep in mind is that many forest interior species like Scarlet Tanager move to shrubby habitats and edge areas after breeding, so the woods get a little quieter with birds moving around.

This "post breeding wandering" as its known brings out of place birds to your yards and bird baths at this time of year. Some are already truly migrating. These would include Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean Warbler, most of the swallows, and most of the shorebirds we will be seeing this month and next. But some are just wandering. Birds of prey are especially known for this including most of our North Carolina Bald Eagles heading north in the summer to as far as the Great Lakes, before turning south again in September and October. We are already seeing Great Egrets, Osprey, more Great Blue Herons, and others as this wandering mode kicks in.

A special thank you to those High Country Audubon members who came out to the Meat Camp Creek Environmental Studies Area on Saturday to clean up the creek.

We will have our regular Wednesday walk at Valle Crucis this week. Start time 8:30 at first shelter behind the Mast Store Annex.

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/.

Goldfinches are finally about ready to nest. Photo by Steven Bullock.


Shorebirds like this Spotted Sandpiper will start to move through this month and next, especially after stormy weather. Photo by Steven Bullock


Molting is hard work, just ask this Indigo Bunting!