Our area Bobolinks are moving around now and other migrants are coming through as well and I saw a flock of 8 in a field where they did not breed this year so listen for their little "plink" notes as they fly overhead.

I was out at Valle Crucis Park last night and had a flock of about 75 Chimney Swifts so they are starting to gather in larger migrant flocks now. Swallows are about all gone now with just a few lingering Barn Swallows around. Be on the lookout over the next couple of weeks for Common Nighthawks (or bullbats) to fly overhead about dusk. These Whip-poor-will relatives can be quite numerous in the evenings around the end of the month into Labor day.

I was at Riverside Park in Wilkesboro last week and had good numbers of Killdeer (80+) and they are re-seeding some fields there that should attract other shorebirds as well so if you are in the area, be sure to check the fields out. It looks like a great spot for Upland Sandpiper or Pectorals. Speaking of shorebirds, check the Optimist fields if we get good rain from Fay.

We will not have a Wednesday walk this week, but i will be back next week.

For more information on birds in the High Country call the Watauga Birding Hotline at 828-265-0198. Also visit www.ncaudubon.org, www.carolinabirdclub.org, and the new High Country Chapter website at www.geocities.com/hcaudubon/.

This Monk Parakeet was seen and photographed in Davie County by Auduboner Phil Dickinson of Forsyth Audubon.


Merrill Lynch spotted a Mourning Warbler in northern Watauga for a fourth County record.


Look for Common Nighthawks the end of this month. They roost like this during the day. Photo by Jeff Lewis