The day started cold but the birds were singing as we entered the gated road at Stecoah Gap. American Redstarts were everywhere. A singing male Cerulean Warbler sang in the distance but after a while came down low in the canopy and allowed everyone close-up views of his beautiful markings. Blackburnian, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers all came in for good looks. The vireos allowed comparison as Blue-headed, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos were all seen. At one point toward the end of the walk a single Silverbell tree had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Red-eyed Vireo and male Black-throated Blue Warbler all eating caterpillars from the shriveled Silverbell blossoms. After lunch we made a stop at Tulula Bog in a light rain where Northern Parulas and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were singing and the group had good looks at White-eyed Vireo and Hooded Warbler.
Canada Violet
Black-and-white Warbler
| Birds | |
| Turkey Vulture | Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Mourning Dove | Red-eyed Vireo |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | White-eyed Vireo |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Northern Parula |
| Downy Woodpecker | Black-throated Blue Warbler |
| Hairy Woodpecker | Black-throated Green Warbler |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Blackburnian Warbler |
| Eastern Phoebe | Cerulean Warbler |
| Blue Jay | Black-and-White Warbler |
| American Crow | American Redstart |
| Carolina Chickadee | Ovenbird |
| Tufted Titmouse | Hooded Warbler |
| Carolina Wren | Scarlet Tanager |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Northern Cardinal |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
| Wood Thrush | Indigo Bunting |
| American Robin | Eastern Towhee |
| European Starling | Dark-eyed Junco |
| Blue-headed Vireo | American Goldfinch |
| Butterflies: | |
| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | Spring Azure |
| American Lady | West Virginia White |
| Juvenal’s Duskywing | |
| Wildflowers: | |
| Rue-anemone | Birdfoot Violet |
| Yellow Trillium | Winter Cress |
| Large-flowered Trillium | Large-flowered Bellwort |
| Purple Phacelia | Spring Beauty |
| Confederate Violet | Wild Ginger |
| Common Blue Violet | Carolina Vetch |
| Canada Violet | Squirrel Corn |
| Smooth Yellow Violet | Dutchman’s Breeches |