Birding in East Tennessee

Today I headed into the mountains of Carter County over the back forest service road of Pond Mountain.

I had a good number of Warblers, Vireos, and other good birds. Even at the highest elevations of Pond Mountain there were numerous Black-throated Green Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, and a surprise visit by a Red-breated Nuthatch.

I was amazed to hear the chatter, mews, and other such neat sounds coming from the Blue-headed Vireos present. I stayed and hunted these birds down to make sure that they were indeed Blue-headed Vireos. This is the first year that I can remember observing such chatter from these vireos in the field.

I also had many FOY birds. The birds in all CAPS are FOY (first of year).

The Warbler lilst:

Northen Parula
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
Black-throated Green Warbler
Black and White Warbler
WORM-EATING WARLBER
OVENBIRD
Louisana Waterthrush
HOODED WARBLER

Other Neotropical Migrants:

Blue-headed Vireo
RED-EYED VIREO
SCARLET TANAGER

Other good birds:

Ruffed Grouse (strutting across service road)
BARRED OWL (singing during the day)
Northen Flicker (I believe near nest, but couldn't locate it)
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
Eastern Phoebe
American Crow
Chickadee and Titmouse
Red-breated Nuthatch
Brown Creeper (singing)
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (singing)
Eastern Towhee
Field Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (singing)
Northen Cardinal
American Goldfinch