Cherohala Skyway, Graham County, NC
The North Carolina section of the Cherohala Skyway climbs from 2500 to over 5000 feet in elevation and the day looked like it was heading to be a beautiful one. We met at Stecoah Gap (where else?) where we birded for a while before heading towards the Skyway. We normally run this trip a little earlier in the spring, so we missed a few of the transient species. This was more than made up for by the returning migrants and we had outstanding views of Veery, Wood Thrush and Acadian Flycatcher. The views from the Skyway are always outstanding but the view was marred by the late frost that had blackened most of the emerging leaves and blossoms. So we had to be content with looking for warblers that were not feeding in the now shriveled silverbell blossoms. We had terrific views of several Golden-winged Warblers, as well as the obligatory Chestnut-sides, Black-and-whites and Hoodeds. A walk through a patch of spruce-fir forest was good for a few Golden-crowned Kinglets and Blackburnian Warblers, as well as excellent views of a Veery that fed within a few feet of us. We finished the day with coffee and more spectacular views from Snowbird Lodge - this is the life!
Chestnut-sided Warbler
| Turkey Vulture | Blue-headed Vireo |
| Broad-winged Hawk | Red-eyed Vireo |
| Mourning Dove | Golden-winged Warbler |
| Chimney Swift | Northern Parula |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Chestnut-sided Warbler |
| Hairy Woodpecker | Black-throated Blue Warbler |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Black-throated Green Warbler |
| Acadian Flycatcher | Blackburnian Warbler |
| Eastern Phoebe | Yellow-throated Warbler |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Cerulean Warbler (heard) |
| Blue Jay | Black-and-white Warbler |
| American Crow | American Redstart |
| Northern Raven | Worm-eating Warbler (heard) |
| Carolina Chickadee | Ovenbird |
| Tufted Titmouse | Hooded Warbler |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | Canada Warbler |
| Red-breasted Titmouse | Scarlet Tanager |
| Carolina Wren | Northern Cardinal |
| Winter Wren (heard) | Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet | Indigo Bunting |
| Eastern Bluebird | Eastern Towhee |
| Veery | Song Sparrow |
| Wood Thrush | Dark-eyed Junco |
| American Robin | Pine Siskin |
| Gray Catbird | American Goldfinch |