Wild Birds Unlimited will open its spring birding field trip program in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina with an outing in Pacolet Valley near Tryon and Landrum. Here the Pacolet River runs through woodland and agricultural fields in rolling fields, scattered woodlots and riverine brush and this habitat holds good numbers of both resident and wintering species and the open country habitat dictates the varied bird population of the area.
Participants will be looking for several sparrows, such as white-crowned, Lincoln’s, swamp and vesper. A pair of loggerhead shrikes is resident in the farmlands, and a good number of raptors, including American kestrel, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks and northern harrier, are also likely sightings.
Visit www.birdventures.com for directions and more information or call 828-253-4247.
– article submitted by Simon Thompson