Often a good soaker this time of year brings in some migrants that are usually overflying us. Look for shorebirds mixed in with the resident Killdeer at ballfields, especially at Optimist Fields and Intramural Fields along the Greenway.

Migration is picking up with reported American Redstarts, Hooded Warblers, Black-throated Blues and Black-throated Green's in folks yards. I hope after the weather breaks you can get out to see what is around. The weekend would be a great time to be out looking!

Common Nighthawks are being seen in the evenings and Chimney Swifts are gathering. It looks like we are heading for fall!

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/.

A couple of years ago, we even had Semipalmated Plovers show up on the ballfields after a good tropical system.


Gulls like this Bonaparte's Gull will also sometimes ride these storms inland.


It is sometimes hard to ID all of the shorebirds like these little peeps. This is a picture of Least Sandpipers with Semipalmated Plovers at Optimist Fields from August 31st, 2006.