Date: 10/26/25 7:04 pm From: <badgerboy...> Subject: Ashe Co. gains 12 documented birds this year
Just completed the annual updates to the lists of bird reports for the counties in NW NC. You can find, read, and download them here <https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GcacgAIoDy2mKcNTQ840cHktUYVEFPtx?usp=drive_link> (My private google drive). They now include color codes for report status, nesting and wintering checks, high counts, and extreme dates. Pink color means we need documentation! I put these pdf's on my phone for quick check in the field, especially where there is no cell reception.
Leading the way in gains of documented birds was Ashe Co., with 12 new ones up to 199 total: Northern Shoveler, Sandhill Crane, Greater Yellowlegs, Wood Stork(2021), Common Loon, Saw-whet Owl, Fish Crow, Gray-cheeked Thrush, White-winged Crossbill(2002), Prairie Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Summer Tanager.
Watauga had 5 new: Purple Gallinule, Wood Stork, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Lapland Longspur, and Lark Sparrow. Watauga moves ahead of Wilkes for most species documented (of the 5 NW NC counties) with 250.
Avery gets 2 new: Bonaparte's Gull and Caspian Tern. Now with 217.
Alleghany gets 1 new: American Coot. Now with 196.
Wilkes gets 1 new: Brewer's Blackbird. Now with 249.
New for the entire region were 3 species: Purple Gallinule, Lapland Longspur, and Lark Sparrow. Up to 316.
Its great fun birding in NW NC! Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
