The research triangle area of NC and really most areas outside of Wilmington do way better in terms of setting aside green space and maintaining it. The Brumley Nature Preserve is a prime example. The first act of setting the land aside for conservation was thanks to George and Julia Brumley who had the presence of mind of recognizing its ecologic importance. When they passed away, the Triangle Land Conservancy inherited it and made it accessible to the public. However, instead of just razing the landscape and planting some new trees like we do in Wilmington they kept it as is and built a great low impact trail system. The North tract is relatively young but has already amassed 3113 checklists in eBird and 165 species of birds which is amazing considering few shorebirds grace that land.
Scarlet Tanager
I found this Empidonax by the back pond and called Matt over as he still needed a Yellow-bellied for his big year. My first impression was that it was good for a Yellow-bellied. The eye-ring was substantial in certain light, the primary projection seemed too short for Acadian to me. There was not much contrast between the cheek and throat.
Overall the yellow color was muted and the tail was somewhat broad which is why the bird was not a slam dunk.
I posted pics to FB and most people weighed in on it as an Acadian. Some said if not a slam dunk probably its an Acadian, meaning don't force it. However, not sure I agree with that rationale. I already had a Yellow-bellied but Matt still needs one so he may want to send the pics to some experts.
Those buffy wing bars!
We saw multiple Magnolia Warblers.
Two Philadelphia Vireos hung out with us for 10-15 minutes.
Cape Mays tended to stay up high but this muted one came down into the Red Cedars.
It started to get warm and the bird activity abated so I decided to head over to the New Hope Creek mudflats as there was some rumors of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper which somehow still eludes me.
Wood Stork is a good bird for the piedmont.
The mudflats were devoid of anything good but surprisingly the woods were active which was surprising given the late hour.
Some of the Bay coloring still showing.
Back home at Airlie Gardens these Wood Ducks were chilling on some wood.
American Golden Plover - Jesse A found this at CB Lake during some bad weather and I jetted down to add it to my year list.
This peep's leg was stuck/broken in this position. Poor little birdie, life is hard.
Juvenile Semipalmated Plovers are snazzy looking. Photo taken at Fort Fisher Athletic Fields which are flooded but so far not hosting anything unusual.
One afternoon I headed down to the Oakland Plantation Sod Farms to look for Buff-breasted Sandpipers.
These resting Pectoral SPs through me off for a moment.
But once they stood up, it was easy to confirm.
American Bittern flushed from a ditch at the sod farm.
Back at CB Lake on a subsequent day I was about to get some better photos of the AGP and his friend. Initially I got a Calidris vibe from the peep but it turned out to be just a skinny and long Semi.
Meanwhile at the Aquarium Parking lot in Fort Fisher,
This Empid gave me Least Flycatcher vibes due to its gray color, tear drop eye-ring and flicking tail.
Almost caught up on my pics!
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