Date: 7/27/25 8:21 am From: Brian Pendergraft (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: 2025 Gray-cheeked Thruah Program - Falls Lake, NC
Good morning.
I'm hoping there are still a good number of birders that take a look at this listserv from time to time,because it's almost that time again. The broadcasting of the Gray-cheeked Thrush Program. The weather has been brutal for sure this summer, BUT the weather folks are saying that there is an end in sight........I HOPE!
Despite two major knee surgeries recently, and no I'm not 100%, but the show must go on! I'm so fortunate to have Ryan Justice and Tony Hewitt again this year, and they are excited to get the hot and very humid weather behind us, and start seeing the fall migrants. I did a brief walk around in the front woods this morning, and the dogwood berries are back! Last year we didn't have any, but there are berries in every tree currently. Couple that with the berries on the large eastern magnolia, there are bird vittles available. Hopefully that means a few more thrushes.
This year's program is October 4-11, with an encore date of October 18. I did reach out to the folks who attended last year, and I have 50+ already signed up. But there is plenty of room available EXCEPT for October 11th. This day is booked for the New Hope Club, and this will be their 12th straight year of attending this laid back birding event. A shout out also needs to go out to the Burlington Club, who also has attended every year! Their date is October 4th, but there is room for more this date.
Most of the folks on this listserv do know about the program, and I won't go into great detail here, but here are a few of the highlights.
The program highlights the three "brown" thrushes (Gray-cheeked, Swainson's, and Wood Thrush,) and the last date will probably have a Hermit Thrush here. We only had one day with the Gray-cheeked last year, but I'm hoping for better results this year with the increased food supply. We typically have more than one, and many years we have them on multiple days.
We also look for Scarlet Tanagers, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and multiple warbler species which have included Bay-breasted, Cape May, BT Green and Blue, Ovenbird, Redstarts, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Blackburnian, etc.
We will be birding about an acre of the total property, and we don't need to do a lot of walking. We actually sit in chairs for a lot of this program. I have coffee and a light breakfast, andI only ask a small fee for the breakfast expenses.
I have numerous deer around including "Oatmeal" the piebald one who is now 5-years old, so we may enjoy her as well.
I've included the Trip Report for the 2024 program so that you can see what we had during the program. This list does include afternoon "sky birds" that Ryan, Tony and I see later in the program days.
If you are interested in joining this fun event that has seen hundreds of folks over the years, please reach to me off-line, and if you have any questions, please ask me here.
