Come Join the Fun!

ASFC offers a wide variety of opportunities to watch birds with fellow Auduboners.

Second-Saturday Birdwalks
These are held most every month in and around Winston-Salem. They are informal outings, starting at 8:00 a.m., April - October, and 9:00 a.m., November - March. Walks generally last a couple of hours. Beginners are invited and welcome. Check the calendar for location.

Extended Field Trips
We hold at least two weekend field trips each year. These usually run over an extended weekend and involve a drive to the mountains or coast. Beginners are always welcome. In January 2012, our winter trip explored the northern Outer Banks, including the new Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary in Duck. On June 1, our spring trip will head to the Great Smokies, including the Cataloochee elk preserve and the Heintooga Ridge Trail.

Other Outings
We have other day trips from time to time. These are often held on third Saturdays of the month, during peak birding times. Normally day trips visit locations away from Winston-Salem. We encourage and invite experienced birders and beginners to join us. Our next scheduled day trip is to Mt. Jefferson State Park in Ashe County on April 28th.

On January 28th, 18 birders carpooled up to Burke's Garden, Virginia, in search of eagles and hawks. The group stopped at Ft. Chiswell for a falconry demonstration by Eric Harrold and his juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk, ably assisted by Rat Terrier Jumper. JJ chased several rabbits, but none was harmed in the process.

When we arrived at Burke's Garden, it was cold and windy with ice-laced drizzle. At the country store, we met up with a birding group from Roanoke and watched two nearby Bald Eagles. Just down the road, Eric spotted a Loggerhead Shrike and scopes provided good views for all. When we stopped at a pond to watch a Green-winged Teal, two brilliant Red-headed Woodpeckers provided excitement as they foraged in some trees. Much sought-after Golden Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks were absent, but we honed our raptor ID skills on several American Kestrels and Red-tailed Hawks. New Forsyth Audubon members from California got life birds with the Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and undoubtedly the shrike also was a life bird for some.

Keeping Eyes on JJ by Phil Dickinson

Trip Report - Pine Island/Outer Banks - Winter 2012

Trip Report - Great Dismal Swamp/Merchants Millpond - Spring 2011

Trip Report - Carteret County, NC - Winter 2011

Trip Report - Blue Ridge Parkway - Spring 2010

Trip Report - Chincoteague, VA - Winter 2010

Trip Report - Monterey and Highland County, VA - Spring 2009

Trip Report - Huntington Beach, SC - Winter 2009

Trip Report - ACE Basin - Spring 2008

Trip Report - Outer Banks - Winter 2008                                             Pictures!

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