Trip Report

Mills River Migration

Old Fort, NC

August 27, 2020

Guide: Kevin Burke

We were out searching for any early migrants that may be moving through the area on this day trip. Starting at the Ingles in Mills River gave us a chance to see the EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES that nest at the farm behind the Ingles. The birds did not stop there though - we had a flyover EASTERN KINGBIRD and RED-TAILED HAWK - all before we got started! Our first official stop was at the North Mills River Recreation Area near the campground. We walked around a bit and had SCARLET TANAGER, AMERICAN REDSTART, and RED-EYED VIREO. A good start to the day. Our next destination was the Trace Ridge Trail and Horse Camp. We got into a nice little flock of migrants that included BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, WORM-EATING WARBLER, HOODED WARBLER, and NORTHERN PARULA. They were foraging for caterpillars and whatever else they could find to fatten up for the long trip South. Other birds in the flock were BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHERS, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, and AMERICAN REDSTART.

Once we were done with the forest, we moved into the open country of Mills River Park and Hooper Lane. We were in search of shorebirds and raptors, as well as anything else we could find. At Mills River Park a nice male BLUE GROSBEAK sat at the top of a Willow Tree. A family of NORTHEN MOCKINGBIRDS were feeding on a fruiting tree. BARN SWALLOWS flew past us and a single WILLOW FLYCATCHER gave us brief but diagnostic looks. Hooper Lane was a little humid, but we made the best of it. The first bird we saw over the trees was a MISSISSIPPI KITE. These slender raptors are in post-breeding dispersal here and can be seen feeding on the migrating dragonflies anywhere in the area. KILLDEER called from the sod fields. We soon saw a very long-distance migrant, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER. These sandpipers travel from the Arctic to South America every year and come through our area in large numbers every year. In with the ‘pecs’ and Killdeer was a WILSON’S SNIPE, an expected winter visitor but this one was a little early.

As we got a little later in the day the warm air started to rise, and the local BLACK VULTURE roost got up and started to circle. This flock is 75-100 birds strong and usually has other birds mixed with them, in this case a few more MISSISSIPPI KITES. We ended the day with 44 species in total. It was nice to get out and enjoy a good day of birding with like-minded bird enthusiasts! Migration is starting to get into full swing so get out there and enjoy the show!

Mills River Migration August 27, 2020

Species encountered: 43 species

Canada Goose
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Killdeer
Pectoral Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Mississippi Kite
Red-tailed Hawk
Downy Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird

    Red-eyed Vireo
    American Crow
    Fish Crow
    Carolina Chickadee
    Tufted Titmouse
    Barn Swallow
    White-breasted Nuthatch
    Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
    Carolina Wren
    European Starling
    Northern Mockingbird
    Eastern Bluebird
    House Finch
    House Sparrow
    American Goldfinch

    Field Sparrow
    Song Sparrow
    Eastern Towhee
    Red-winged Blackbird
    Eastern Meadowlark
    Worm-eating Warbler
    Hooded Warbler
    American Redstart
    Northern Parula
    Black-throated Green Warbler
    Scarlet Tanager
    Northern Cardinal
    Blue Grosbeak