The bird of prey approached from the north in the late afternoon shadows. Its flight had been direct and unwavering, but then the bird paused. It started to circle high above the rocky pinnacle. Suddenly, it dived into the tree line. The peregrine falcon, the fastest bird in the world, had spied a potential meal on top of Pilot Mountain. Soon, it was up again, talons empty. But what a sight to behold. Still hungry, the bird moved on.
Pilot Mountain State Park holds a special draw to area birders in mid-September. This is the time for the annual Hawk Watch at the Little Pinnacle overlook.
Large groups, or kettles, of broad-winged hawks are the main attraction as they spiral overhead seeking thermals to carry them along the Appalachian ridge on their way to South America. Ravens, black vultures and turkey vultures soar over the mountain. Meanwhile, observers stay alert for other raptors that pass by in small numbers, including eagles, ospreys and peregrines.
Raptors are not the only birds to enjoy at Pilot Mountain in the fall. The park is a rest stop for warblers and other songbirds on their way south, and the summit of the park is a good place to see them. Here, the trees do not grow tall, and you often can see the birds at eye level or even below in the saddle between the two pinnacles. Pine warblers nest here, and in fall there are other warbler species such as black-throated green, black-throated blue, Cape May and Tennessee, or maybe a red-breasted nuthatch or pileated woodpecker.
The short Sassafras Trail often is overlooked by visitors to the summit. Matt Windsor, the park's superintendent, recommends the path's overlooks as good places to spy migrant birds in the rhododendron thickets. The half-mile loop begins from the sidewalk behind the restrooms. A much longer, more strenuous walk is the Mountain Trail, leaving the summit picnic area and winding down the south side of the mountain through a variety of habitats.
"It is a great place to seek solitude, if you don't mind the out-and-back hike," Windsor said. "On the lower slopes, there are many opportunities to see wild turkey." The south end of the trail is accessible to a parking area on Pinnacle Hotel Road (SR2061).
The park's Yadkin River section offers another quiet refuge and good birding opportunities. Access the Surry County side of the river from the Pinnacle exit on U.S. 52. Stroll along the Yadkin River Trail of the north bank and keep an eye out for the eagles that nest nearby. Double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, spotted sandpipers and Canada geese often sit among the rocky islands. And listen for the rattle of belted kingfishers as they patrol the waters. This trail and the Horne Creek Trail also offer chances to see warblers, vireos and tanagers. Another option is the Ivy Bluffs Trail on the south side of the river in Yadkin County, accessible from NC 67 and Union Hill Road in East Bend.
The dates for this year's Hawk Watch are Sept. 11-30. Most of the time you will find observers from the Forsyth Audubon and the Piedmont Bird Club at the pinnacle overlook counting migrating raptors. Tallies are submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of North America, which maintains a database of results at www.hawkcount.org from observation sites between Quebec and Mexico. To learn more about the local count, go to www.forsythaudubon.org and click on "Hawk Watch."
- The Forsyth Audubon's Second Saturday Birdwalk goes to the Historic Bethabara Greenway on Saturday, Sept. 10. Meet at the park's Visitor's Center at 8 a.m. Email contact: kimbbrand@gmail.com.
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