The

Raven's

Nest

September 2024

Friends,

I had a Proud Dad moment this week. My daughter is off to college, and she started her college experience with a campus group that runs 5-day outdoor trips for incoming freshmen. When she got back to campus, she proudly reported that she had inspired her group to become birders during their trip. As she recounted her tales of hearing barred owls in the daytime and great horned owls at night, identifying the songs of eastern wood-pewees and red-eyed vireos, talking with a student from the west coast who had never seen a blue jay before (“...but you have Steller’s Jays out there, which are cool too!”), and even identifying a nighthawk flying over the campus on her return, my heart swelled with pride and joy.  

It is always inspirational to imbue the next generation with values we hold dear. And the love of birds, the responsibility to protect them, and the desire to preserve the places they need to flourish, are among the most important lessons we can teach our progeny. It’s important because if the next generation doesn’t understand the importance of protecting the places that birds need to survive, feed, and breed, then there is no guarantee that those places will continue to exist. We are always one generation from pursuing myopic incentives and practices that threaten the health and existence of not only our feathered friends but also the rest of life on this planet, including us.  

That’s a big responsibility! But it's also a wonderful opportunity–and rewarding when you do so. So, I encourage everyone to try to bring members of the next generation into the birding community. Blue Ridge Audubon has some wonderful opportunities to do just that this fall– including this Sunday’s Birds and Bagels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, our regular Saturday Bird Outings, or our annual Swift Night Out coming up on September 26. So come out and join us–and bring your children, invite your young neighbors, or tell the kids at your church about it. It’s never too early to start welcoming the next generation of birders into the flock! 

Best,

John Koon

President, Blue Ridge Audubon

Birds & Bagels

Sunday, September 8

Ridge Junction Overlook

Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter is hosting an early morning birding event at Ridge Junction Overlook on Sunday, September 8 at 8 am. Ridge Junction Overlook, near Mt. Mitchell State Park, is one of the best spots in the Blue Ridge to experience the fall migration of warblers and other passerines. Hundreds of birds can pass through the gap in the mountains here over the course a morning, and numbers tallied have included over 25 species of warblers!

We'll supply the coffee and bagels. Bring your binoculars, a chair, and wear some warm clothes. The nearest restrooms are at Mt. Mitchell State Park, 2.5 miles away. Rain date is Sunday, September 15. Check our Facebook page for updates!

Swift Night Out

Thursday, September 26

Asheville

Fall is the season for Chimney Swift migration! During migration, these birds gather in large flocks in the evenings to roost communally in chimneys, smokestacks or hollow trees--and it is quite a sight to see them swirl into their roost at dusk!

Blue Ridge Audubon's annual Swift Night Out will be held on Thursday, September 26, on the roof of the Civic Center Garage in Asheville. We'll gather at 6:45 pm and watch as the swifts gather overhead before swirling into a nearby chimney after sunset. We've had as many as 3 - 4000 swifts in recent years, so please join us for this free event and enjoy the spectacle! For updates in case of inclement weather, please check our website and Facebook page. 

Audubon North Carolina Summit

October 4 - 6

Durham, NC

Register now! This fall, Audubon members and birders from across NC are invited to our biannual summit, happening Oct. 4 - 6. Co-hosted with New Hope Bird Alliance, there will be a suite of workshops and field trips for you to hone your advocacy skills and enjoy the magic of fall migration in the Piedmont. Space is limited, register now.

Beaver Lake Workday

Tom Tribble

A big thank you to the volunteers at our August 17 work day: Florrie, Kim, Jim, Kitti, Roberta, Jovi, Alicia and Anna. The group removed 4 wheelbarrow loads of Japanese stiltgrass at the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. 

We'll have another workday at the Sanctuary on Saturday September 7 from 9:00-12:00 - of course, you can leave whenever you like. Our focus will again be on pulling Japanese stiltgrass. It is an annual and we try to target it in late August and early September before it goes to seed. It is easy to pull. No tools needed, just gloves. We will have a pile of gloves. It's best to wear long pants, long sleeves and closed shoes as there is some poison ivy - not a lot but some. There is no need to register - just show up.

Asheville Butterfly Trail

Danielle Lenaway 

Asheville Butterfly Trail had their ribbon cutting ceremony August 29th at the Asheville Visitor Center. There was a great turnout with city council members, Bee City USA members and other environmental groups plus various local volunteers. There will be 15 trail stations throughout Buncombe county. Each station showcases native butterfly wings at human- scale, along with educational signage, weblinks, butterfly maps, a butterfly trail passport and more. For more information about sponsoring one of the stations or to visit contact info@beecityasheville.org 

September can be an exciting month to observe migrating birds in Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary. In fact, during the September month, you have the highest probability of the year to see the following:

1.   Bay-breasted Warbler

2.   Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers

3.   Common Nighthawk

4.   Gray-cheeked Thrush

5.   Magnolia Warbler

6.   Nashville Warbler

7.   Philadelphia Vireo

8.   Swainson’s Thrush

9.   Tennessee Warbler

10. Wilson’s Warbler

Gray-cheeked Thrush

by Jay Wherley

Wilson's Warbler

by Jay Wherley

Many of the above species have an asymmetrical Fall migration route vs. Spring migration route which leads to better chances for observation now. Other species are more likely to move south in flocks in the Fall making observations easier (e.g. Common Nighthawk).

Notable recent sightings at Beaver Lake include Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Solitary Sandpiper.

Jackson Park, Hendersonville

Saturday, August 10

Vicky Burke

We had a wonderful bird walk, despite 20 brave folks donating their blood to the pesky little Jackson Park mosquitos! In the end, this caused us to end the walk a little early, but not before a few delightful surprises - mainly a Yellow-billed Cuckoo which was a lifer for some of the participants. Afterwards, some of us carried on to Kings Bridge Conservation area, where we were able to observe some good Raptor activity along with the Mississippi Kites and Swallow-tailed Kites that have been reported in that area during the last couple of days. 

Photo: Mississippi & Swallow-tailed Kites by Alan Lenk

Owen D Park/Warren Wilson College Fields, Swannanoa

Saturday, August 17

Vicky Burke

We had a beautiful walk on August 17 in Swannanoa. While the usual Tree Swallows were absent from the ponds, we did have some incoming Warbler activity. Things are certainly shifting in the world of migratory birds! The highlight of the day was actually the Blue Grosbeak - a beautiful male sitting atop a twig in the farm field, with blooming blue Chicory plants surrounding him.

Plants for Birds at Beaver Lake, Asheville

Saturday, August 24

Randy Richardson

A group of 18 plant enthusiasts joined naturalist Randy Richardson amid lovely late summer weather for our August Plants for Birds outing. Botanical highlights included late summer favorites like Joe Pye Weed, Black & Brown-eyed Susans, Ironweed, Cardinal Flower, and Wingstem. And we saw some less common species such as the featured American Groundnut as well as Common Boneset and Swamp Loosestrife.  

Although the bird life consisted mostly of the usual suspects, we did see a number of interesting dragonflies and damselflies near the lake. We had good views of Eastern Amberwings, Slaty Skimmers, Common Whitetails, Widow Skimmers, a Variable Dancer, and a type of Bluet. And shortly after our introductory discussion on the importance of caterpillars, a sharp-eyed participant spotted a Saddleback Caterpillar on an American Hornbeam leaf - be careful, these guys can sting!

Every year, millions of birds die during migration when they become disoriented by bright lights in urban areas. Help make North Carolina safer for birds this fall—go #LightsOutNC. Learn more.

Blue Ridge Audubon is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, serving Buncombe, Henderson, and surrounding counties in western North Carolina.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are

tax-deductible to the extent

allowed by law.

Raven's Nest Editor: 

Jennie Burke

jennifer_bradbury85@yahoo.com

Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter

PO Box 18711

Asheville, NC 28814

Blue Ridge Audubon's mission is to protect birds and the places they depend on. We believe that a world in which birds thrive is a world that benefits all living things.

Our vision is a vibrant and just community where the protection of birds and our natural world is valued by everyone.