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Directions for Finding Mourning Warbler at Roan Mt.



Carolinabirders,

Getting to Roan Mountain and finding the adult male Mourning Warbler once
there have not been discussed heretofore.  The following may be helpful.

We went to Roan Mt. by leaving Interstate 40 at the town of Marion,
following US 221 to NC 226.  NC 226 will take you through Spruce Pine and on
to Bakersville.  At Bakersville take NC 261 north.  Upon reaching Carvers
Gap (NC/TN state line) park your car in the lot.  The Appalachian Trail (AT)
crosses the road at Carvers Gap.  Cross over the road and hike up the AT
going east, up the grassy bald area known as Round Bald.  Then continue down
the far side of the bald and up the next one, known as Jane Bald.  The trail
continues down again and then up Grassy Ridge Bald.  When you reach a little
flat area on Grassy Ridge Bald you will see a small spur trail continuing
straight ahead and up, while the AT goes left and down.  The Mounring
Warbler in being seen along the spur trail, only about 50 yards up the
trail.  When you reach this area, you will have walked about 2 miles from
Carvers Gap.  The AT basically follows the state line through this area.
The area of the spur trail is definitely in North Carolina.

Apparently the bird has been singing only sporadically, and probably will
not respond to a tape.  You should not use one anyway.   There is a pair of
Common Yellowthroats in the same area.  As you know, Yellowthroats respond
very well to pishing, and will become quite curious.  I was able to get the
Mourning Warbler to become active by pishing.  Once the Yellowthroat got
aggitated, the Towhees and Juncos joined in, and then the Mourning Warbler
started flying around also.  This is probably the best way to get the bird
in view.  You could easily pass off the Mourning Warbler for a Yellowthroat
while it is flitting about, so look carefully.

Roan Mountain is a wonderful area to see, even if the bird were not there.
It is definitely worth the trip.

John
--
John and Paula Wright     h 252-756-5139

jwright@skantech.net      Greenville, North Carolina