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Raleigh CBC, plus Lake Murray



Hi C-birders,

I can't answer for the rest of the counters, my little corner was very 
nice. John Gerwin sent me to a corner of Umstead State Park just off 
Ebenezer Church ROad. Jason Sircely and Norm Douglas came along to keep 
me company. The birds were what you'd expect: a few flocks of mixed 
insectivores, and a few of mixed sparrows. Best bird was probably a 
Red-headed Woodpecker that posed on a snag over Sycamore Creek for us. 
Also had beautiful, close-up looks at Winter Wren, and a few nice Wood 
Ducks in the creek. However, the birds were almost overshadowed 
(literally as well as other ways) by the trees; I'm not sure if I've seen 
such a variety of species of big, impressive deciduous species in the 
Triangle. The biggest were probably the Sycamores, but also some very 
large oaks of various kinds, a couple of big Hollies, and others.

Now I'm down in Ballentine, SC visiting my girlfriend's mother again. 
Lake Murray has its usual interesting array of waterbirds, including two 
Common Loons, a Horned Grebe, and several Bufflehead and Pied-billed 
Grebes, all visible from inside the house. My girlfriend's uncle saw what 
sounds like an adult Bald Eagle while he was walking the dogs, but I 
haven't spotted that one yet. I'm just sorry I missed not only the DUrham 
CBC due to our sudden travel change, but the Columbia and Congaree CBCs 
as well. Maybe I can find one or two others down here within driving 
distance...

As for favorite lifers, I have a feeling the Mango might win in a 
landslide; for me it was the only lifer I've seen in the Carolinas this 
year. Then again, I still have a week left!

Good birding,

Josh



Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Biology (Zoology, R.I.P.)

jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/