Wanting to prep for a big hike out west, Saturday I ventured to Mt. Leconte for the first time. Veery was plentiful at lower elevations, and Black-Throated Blue and Black-Throated Green Warblers, along with Blue-Headed Vireos were common up to Alum Cave Bluffs. Inspiration Point area had a few Red-Breasted Nuthatches calling. Just past the cave bluffs I heard, then watched two Peregrine Falcons chasing each other over the balds below. Also at this point I saw my first Black-Capped Chickadee at around 5000 feet. A little higher someone hiking in front of me pointed to the left, and I looked and saw a small raptor with shortish tail and rounded head. It kept moving, and with people hiking right behind me, I was only able to watch it for 15-20 seconds as it floated by and then back over the trail. It looked somewhat like a small hawk, but too small, so I suspect an owl. Northern Saw-Whet Owl comes to mind, but odd in the middle of the day. By the time I got to the edge of the trail and pulled up my binoculars, it had flown off. Between Mt. Leconte lodge and Mt. Leconte summit, I got great looks at Black-capped Chickadees at two locations, heard and saw an Eastern Wood Pewee, and heard two Hermit Thrushes near the summit, one just out of sight on the other side of an evergreen. Three Eastern Towhees were singing at Myrtle Point, and Dark-Eyed Juncos were all along the summit ridge and upper elevations. A few Winter Wrens were singing from 5500 feet up to Leconte Lodge; I didn't know what bird was singing until I got good looks at one on the summit ridge.
Rain and hail soaked me on the return, then when I got to my car, I noticed the whole side had been smashed. A truck had swerved to avoid a car and knocked mine over two feet, bending the axle and/or wheel. No additional species seen while waiting for towtruck at parking area or visitor center.
Species seen:
Veery, many seen and heard
Black-Throated Blue Warbler, 15+
Black-Throated Green Warbler, 4
Chestnut-Sided Warbler, 3 heard only
Blue-Headed Vireo, several heard
Red-Breasted Nuthatch, 4-5 heard
Peregrine Falcon, 2
Black-Capped Chickadee, 6 seen and heard (State Bird for me)
Dark-Eyed Junco, many seen and heard
Golden-Crowned Kinglet, 2 heard
Winter Wren, 4-5 heard and seen
Eastern Wood Pewee, 1 seen and heard
Hermit Thrush, 2 heard only near summit
Eastern Towhee, several heard only
Gray Catbird, 1 heard only
small owl possible Saw-Whet seen, but not confirmed
Ken Oeser
Hendersonville, TN
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