Venture to Heintooga Overlook and Blue Ridge, NC

June 16, 2004 with Beth Brinson

Over 40 species of plant were in bloom on our trip to the Heintooga Road off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Gray Beardtongue, Bowman's Root, Wild Columbine, Indian Paintbrush, and Pink Lady's Slipper were just some of the plants we observed along the roadside. Flame Azalea was at peak bloom at the forest edge with colors ranging from pale orange to a deep tangerine. The plant highlight of the trip was a large stand of Purple Fringed Orchid near Poll's Gap. At 5000 feet in elevation Heintooga is always good for more northern high-elevation birds and this trip was no exception where we had Common Raven, Pine Siskin, Black-capped Chickadee, and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Other bird highlights included Least Flycatcher, Hairy Woodpecker, and Canada Warbler, as well as great scope views of Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Blue-headed Vireo. At two different locations along the road we observed Wild Turkey hens with their chicks. We ended the day at Balsam Gap west of Waynesville where we picked up American Redstart and Scarlet Tanager and added to our flower list with the blooms of Poke Milkweed, False Goatsbeard, and the rare Glade Spurge.