Hello all
This morning a group of 10 birders from The Augusta Bird Club made the trek
over to Highland for a early summer birding outing. In the short time we
were there we netted 70 species of birds for the day . Big misses for us
were Least , Alder Flycatcher , grasshopper , Savannah , Vesper Sparrow.
Another miss was Black - billed Cuckoo & Mourning Warbler . ( due to the
timing of the day ) Our biggest find was on the way up to Margaret O '
Bryan's place we ran into John ( forgot last name -- Sorry ) who was leading
a tour group from Texas showed us the Long - eared Owl just about 2 tenths
of a mile from the O ' Bryan's place . The area is where you can get Golden
- winged Warblers in which there were two . After that we went up to the O'
Bryan's place & got R T Hummers , 3 or 4 Golden - winged Warblers , Chat ,
House Wren . After talking to Mrs. O ' Bryan & thanking her for sharing her
birds we headed off for Rt. 642 to South Laurel Fork .On the way we saw a
couple of Imm. Bald Eagles Rt. 640 & 637 & Bobolink . After getting on Rt.
642 & getting up in the mountains we got Hermit & Veery , Pee - wee
,Acadian , Chest - nutsided , Magnolia ,B T Blue , B T Green , Yellow -
rumped , B & W Warbler , Ovenbird, Redstart , Common Yellowthroat ,Canada
Warbler , Scarlet Tanager , R B Grosbeak , & Junco .
Any way all had a good day of birding in Highland County with the best bird
by far was the Owl Which was a life bird for many including me . I have
been chasing that bird for years & I have caught up to it .
Allen Larner
Staunton
