Date: 7/22/26 12:26 pm From: Brian Pendergraft (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: 2026 Falls Lake Gray-Cheeked Thrush Program
Hey everyone.
It's almost August, and it's been a long and hot summer up here in northern Wake County. I'm ready for cooler temps and fall migration! Mid-August starts the migration up here typically, but I can get a roaming parula, redstart, or black and white previous to then, so I'll start spending more time outside.
But this program is also about those brown guys....the thrushes that I love so much. Ryan, Tony, and yours truly are opening up the property again this year if the interest is there. This would be year 13 I think?
I'm going on vacation the week of August 11th, so I'm hoping to have everyone signed up before I leave. This year's program is October 3-10th, so please let me know via email or text if you want to reserve a spot. Please try and stay away from both Saturday's because I do let the New Hope and Burlington folks schedule these days. (Lee let's discuss the Franklin County folks as well, if there is interest.)
For folks who want more information about the program, please reach out to me off-line, and I'll be happy to provide the information you need. Please reach out to friends/family who might not be on this listserv. I'll put out a Facebook blurb, but I won't do much more than that. We have been getting right at 100 folks every year, so hopefully we will see some folks again this year. *PLEASE NOTE: I'm going to limit it this year to 10 or so birders per day this year, to reduce the number of cars, as well as keep the groups a bit smaller so everyone can get on all the birds. So please reach out quickly, so you don't lose a spot.*
The dogwood berry crop is good again, and the magnolia has numerous pods already. We've seen the Gray-cheeked here since the program started, and my history with the bird goes back to 2005. October is the best month here in my part of Wake County, so I expect to see thrushes, warblers, and probably a few grosbeaks and tanagers.
I look forward to your responses, and I will get to all of you pretty quickly to reserve your spot.
