Date: 9/30/24 10:44 am From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Storm damage - Walcott Tract got walloped
I am afraid that a lot of our treasured birding spots were severely degraded by the recent storm.
A friend of mine lives across the Green River from the Walcott Tract of the Green River Game Lands. He texted me a photo - heartbreaking. Weekend before last I had 13 species of Warblers, 4 species of Thrushes (triple digit individuals) and lots of RB Grosbeaks there with JB Hines, Roger Smith, Brad Dalton, and John Cox.
The Walcott Tract had a section of forest destroyed a few years ago by a microburst associated with a passing storm. But this damage is even worse. And when clearings get made now, vines take over and make it hard for trees to restore the canopy. I read somewhere that with all the extra CO2 in the atmosphere now, vines have the upper hand in the arms race with woody plants.
I am also worried about other riverside birding spots / migrant traps in the mountains, foothills and piedmont. Not to mention the roads and bridges needed to reach them.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle shot." -- Bror Blixen
