Lunch at the Bluffs

[steven.shultz@unifi.com]

What the day lacked in diversity it made up for in quantity.  I spent a few
minutes (35) at lunch time walking the Swift Creek loop trail at Hemlock
Bluffs preserve in Cary, NC.  Moments after stepping out of the car I was
surrounded by the kiki-brr-brr calls of Summer Tanager.  Spotted 3, and
there were probably 1-2 more, in the parking area.  Once on the trail
proper I noted a big push of Red-eyed Vireos moving through.  At one point
I found myself in the middle of what fighter pilots would call a "furball".
Aprox. 5 Red-eyed Vireos came tearing through scolding and pouncing on each
other.  Eventually a ball of at least 3 vireos succumbed to gravity and
fell on the ground in front of me.  The birds separated at that point, but
could still be heard moving through the trees scolding.  A bit farther
around I had the pleasure of a Summer Tanager singing on my right and a
Scarlet on my left.  A really good way to compare the songs!  Lots of Wood
Thrush song as well, spotted 2 sitting together on the same branch.

Anyway, lots of tanagers and vireos today, not so many warblers.  What will
tomorrow be like?

Best,
Steve Shultz
Cary, NC