I had a four Blackbird day yesterday at Meat Camp with Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds, Common Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird. Rusty's are being seen at Valle Crucis as well. Rusty Balckbirds have decline by more than 90% rangewide since the 1970's so it is great to see some, even though they are in small flocks.

Sparrows continue to be seen with Savannah, Swamp, Field, Chipping, White-crowned and White-throated all pretty common along with the hordes of Song Sparrows around right now.

This is waterfowl time so check area lakes and ponds. We had several Green-winged Teal at Valle Crucis last week which is one of the rarer species here in the High Country. Hooded Merganser's. Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and others will be coming through. Most have been seen in small numbers already.

Don't forget our local Christmas Bird Counts coming up in December and January. If you would like to help or find out more about CBCs visit the websites listed below.

For more information on birds in the High Country call the Watauga Birding Hotline at 828-265-0198. Also visit www.ncaudubon.org, www.carolinabirdclub.org, and the new High Country Chapter website at www.geocities.com/hcaudubon/.

Thanks again for a great year of walks at Valle Crucis!

I banded this beautiful Rusty Blackbird last week at Meat Camp.


Be on the lookout for marsh birds in wet areas like this Sora from Meat Camp.


We also captured this first year White-crowned Sparrow at Meat Camp last week.