The trip to Stecoah Gap started with singing Chestnut- sided Warblers near the picnic area. As we made our way down the forest service road we came upon a trio of Ovenbirds at eye-level who put on an entertaining show for everyone. Other warblers that were seen included American Redstart as well as Blackburnian, Black-and-white, and Black-throated Green Warblers. One of the highlights of the day was a blooming Silverbell tree with four male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks feeding on caterpillars. A male Scarlet Tanager was also nearby. Just down the trail from the Silverbell we heard the song of the Golden-winged Warbler who gave quite a chase until finally coming in for a close view. Wildflowers were blooming in profusion and the butterflies became quite active as the sun warmed things up. After lunch we visited Tulula Bog. The bird activity there was slow so we spent the time looking at wildflowers and butterflies. Butterfly highlights for the day included a Brown Elfin at Tulula Bog and a Gemmed Satyr at Stecoah.
| Birds | |
| Turkey Vulture | Northern Parula |
| Broad-winged Hawk | Yellow Warbler |
| Red-tailed Hawk | Chestnut-sided Warbler |
| Mourning Dove | Black-throated Blue Warbler |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Yellow-rumped Warbler |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Black-throated Green Warbler |
| Barn Swallow | Blackburnian Warbler |
| Blue Jay | Cerulean Warbler |
| American Crow | Black-and-White Warbler |
| Carolina Chickadee | American Redstart |
| Tufted Titmouse | Ovenbird |
| White-breasted Nuthatch | 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 | Song Sparrow |
| Blue-headed Vireo | Dark-eyed Junco |
| Yellow-throated Vireo | Red-winged Blackbird |
| Red-eyed Vireo | Brown-headed Cowbird |
| Golden-winged Warbler | American Goldfinch |
| Butterflies: | |
| Pipevine Swallowtail | Pearl Crescent |
| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | American Lady |
| Cabbage White | Common Buckeye |
| West Virginia White | Gemmed Satyr |
| Cloudless Sulphur | Silver-spotted Skipper |
| Brown Elfin | Dreamy Duskywing |
| Eastern Tailed Blue | Juvenal’s Duskywing |
| Azure sp | |
| Wildflowers: | |
| Rue-anemone | Star Chickweed |
| Common Blue Violet | Wild Geranium |
| Confederate Violet | Dutchman’s Pipe |
| Birdfoot Violet | Showy Orchis |
| Yellow Trillium | Smooth Meadow Parsnip |
| Large-flowered Trillium | Hooked Buttercup |
| White Erect Trillium | Carolina Vetch |
| Perfoliate Bellwort | Winter Cress |
| Large-flowered Bellwort | Corn Salad |
| Common Fleabane | Carolina SIlverbell |
| Brook Lettuce | Striped Maple |