Christmas Bird Count 2007 in Blue Ridge
January 29th, 2008 by Kip Draper - 546 views
Tom Striker, friends, and Blue Ridge made the AJC regarding the 2007 Christmas Bird Count:
…on Saturday, the final day of the national Christmas Bird Count, five pairs of binoculars were trained on a pine tree in Fannin County. “Brown-headed nuthatch!” barked Tom Striker. “See him? To the left of the notch. He’s working on some cones. Upside down.”
Blue Ridge, in the North Georgia mountains about 90 miles from Atlanta, entered the count for the first time this year, its 20-odd volunteers fanning out across the standard count area, a 15-mile diameter circle.
“We don’t know exactly what we’re going to see,” said count coordinator Robert Kimsey, a poet who lives in McCaysville. “I’m hoping for at least 50 species. I’m dreaming of 70.”
He and Striker, who owns a bird feed store in Blue Ridge, escorted a small group walking around a fallow area of Mercier Orchards. Their most striking find of the morning – a great blue heron. The group also spotted a belted kingfisher, patiently watching a creek. link to AJC article…
Interestingly, a pair of Eastern Towhee’s (mentioned & photographed in the article) has been frequenting the feeder at our office. However, they hide in the Hemlocks or scamper from under the porch and only feed on the discarded feeder pickings on the ground. I’ve lived in GA most of my life and have never seen one of these–beautiful bird. I’ll try to grab them with the office porch cam and post a photo.
UPDATED: Here are a few shots, difficult to capture; they’re skittish and move fast!)
Don’t forget about the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 15-18, 2008.
Thanks to Barbara for sending in the article!
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