This spring day trip will be spent birding mostly on the Walcott Tract which is off of Green River Cove Road in Polk county. This will be mostly a walking trip, but it will be on easy terrain. Comfortable footwear is recommended along with water, snacks and a bagged lunch.

Walcott Tract is part of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and consists of a lovely variety of habitat. A stroll through this tract will bring one in and out of lush forest to more open areas for a variety of great birding. Part of this trail runs alongside the river which is a great area to locate Louisiana Waterthrush and Belted Kingfisher. Other expected spring migrants (and residents) include Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Blue Grosbeak. Swainson’s Warbler and Kentucky Warbler are good possibilities along the tract as are Hooded Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Yellow-throated Warbler. Woodland birds such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Black and White Warbler, and Scarlet Tanager can be expected. Field Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, and a host of other returning spring migrants and local residents are great possibilities as well!

If time permits, we will also swing down to Lake Adger to finish off the trip looking for Prothonotary Warbler, Wood Ducks, and a possible migrating Osprey and Bald Eagle.

Come join Vicky in welcoming back our migrants and resident birds of the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Western North Carolina!