Venture to Grovestone Quarry,
Swannanoa, NC

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Our first visit to Grovestone Quarry was excellent. This new location for us produced plenty of resident and migrant species, was peaceful and quiet, picturesque, interesting and also very easy to bird as we just walked along the wide roadbeds. What more could one want? The day started with quite thick fog, but as we wandered uphill, it started to clear to eventually produce clear blue skies. So how were the birds? Well, to start with most were in the fog or silhouettes in the bright sun, but eventually we had a scattering of warblers, including Magnolia, Palm, Black-throated Green and Hooded; plenty of Scarlet Tanagers and Swainson's Thrushes, and a good all round selection of the local species. Once the sun came out, the butterflies began to appear with the highlight being the sheer number of Monarchs resting on the gravel roads - probably taking nutrients from the mud. Also the Partridge Pea growing along the roadsides attracted in several Cloudless Sulphurs and a somewhat pale Sleepy Orange. Another highlight was a stunning green dragonfly with a red abdomen, the Comet Darner. This is certainly a great birding spot we hope to get back to. And thanks to all at Grovestone for letting us in to check out this great new birding spot.