It's known for the Red Cockaded Woodpeckers, but it offers a lot more than Woodpeckers. The Refuge is huge and beautiful. Unfortunately, some of the trails by the Allison Lake area are closed, but there is still plenty to see.
This is my little tip to you, fellow birders. Download a map of the Refuge on-line, and drive around, slowly. (Piedmont link above) Roll down the windows and stop when you hear or see birds. (You already knew that). There are two spots with a creek, or brook, park and do some birdwatching. You should see or hear 20 + bird species within 30 minutes or so. We usually do, and we're not the most experienced birders around!
Debbie and I were there this past Sunday afternoon. Yes, what a beautiful day it was! Look again at the picture above. Notice anything? No, those are not ducks on the pond. These are tree stumps. The picture shows a beautiful reflection of the landscape behind in the water. And that's my second sharing, or birding tip...
...when you go out birding on a beautiful afternoon, and there is not much activities (of birds), stop and soak in the beauties of nature. We took our chairs out and sat there, and sat there, on the dock, soaking it all in. From time to time a bird or a flock with fly by and land. Or we'll notice some movements and check it out. We did see 27 bird species, a low count for an afternoon. But again, it was the middle of the day.
Have you noticed? On a birding day when there is not much going on, you almost always end up with a surprise or two. In our case we saw flocks of Dark Eye Juncos on the ground (a first for us), and the largest flock of Wild Turkeys we've ever seen, over 20 turkeys, crossing the road in front of us! (Wished I could take one home for Thanksgiving!)
The take in this short post? Don't forget the Piedmont , it's a good place for birding, and when you're out birding and many self-respecting birds are having their "siesta", take in the beauties of nature.
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