BRDC takes on Burkes Garden!
This past Saturday, BRDC staff and friends set off on an expedition to see the superb bird species of Burkes Garden in Tazewell, VA.
Red-headed Woodpecker
This past Saturday, BRDC staff and friends set off on an expedition to see the superb bird species of Burke’s Garden in Tazewell, VA. Burke's Garden is a rare valley bowl with a floor that rests at 3,000' while the encircling ridge rises to around 4,000'. It is located in Tazewell County, VA, where the Appalachian Trail skirts its southern rim. The 8.5 mile long and 4-mile wide valley is often referred to as "God's Thumbprint" for its distinctive shape.
Eastern Screech Owl
American Kestrel
Golden Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
The bowl is a beautiful pastoral landscape during the summer but in the winter it is equally impressive. During February it plays host to the rare wintering birds from the far north including the Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk. Once in the valley, we slowly worked our way around the bowl in a large loop by vehicle, searching for birds along the way. During this expedition, we were able to see 35 different bird species. Species observed were: Eastern Meadowlark, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Common Raven, American Crow, Blue Jay, Eastern Phoebe, American Kestrel, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Screech-Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Golden Eagle, Black Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Wilson’s Snipe, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, American Black Duck, and Mallard. Seeing the Golden Eagles, the Red-headed Woodpecker, and the vast amount of Red-tailed hawks, 36, truly made this years trip special. This is one of our annual trips, so if you are interested in seeing any of these magnificent birds, we will continue to host this amazing expedition for the years to come.
Wilson’s Snipe
February Events
As the temperatures cool down, Blue Ridge Discovery Center isn’t slowing down! With darkness settling in sooner in the evenings, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. And with trees and shrubs losing their foliage, the winter months allow for fewer visual obstructions during birdwatching, including sighting rare wintering birds from the far north. There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
If you’re willing to brave the cold and exercise a little patience, winter bird-watching can be a rewarding experience. Birds don’t hibernate and with a pretty high metabolism, they remain active even in the coldest time of the year.
Some birds stay around all year, some travel great distances south (insect eaters for example), and some travel just a little ways south to escape the bitter cold and lack of food. Raptors and waterfowl are species that find their way to Burkes Garden.
Join us February 5th as we migrate over to Virginia’s highest valley in seek of over wintering raptors such as Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Owls, and more!
If you can’t make it on the 5th, stop by the Center on February 19th for the Great Backyard Bird Count. We have the feeders full and ready to participate in this citizen science activity. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
Burke’s Garden Birding Trip
February 5th, 9:00-4:00
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 19th, 10:00-2:00
Upcoming Events
As the temperatures cool down, Blue Ridge Discovery Center isn’t slowing down! With darkness settling in sooner in the evenings, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. And with trees and shrubs losing their foliage, the winter months allow for fewer visual obstructions during birdwatching, including sighting rare wintering birds from the far north. There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
Fall is quickly approaching bringing cooler weather, beautiful foliage, and outdoor activities! With darkness getting earlier, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. As trees and shrubs lose their foliage, fewer visual obstructions affect birdwatching, and the trails await new discoveries! There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
Get Outside Hikes
Saturdays, now through October 30th
All ages!
Planting Day
Friday, October 1st, 9-4
Volunteer Weekend
Saturday, October 23rd - 24th , 10-4
New River Christmas Bird Count (hosted by BRDC)
Saturday, December 18th, 9:00-5:00
Burke’s Garden Birding Trip
February 5th, 8:00-5:00
All ages!
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 12th, 10:00-2:00
All ages!
Upcoming Events
As the temperatures cool down, Blue Ridge Discovery Center isn’t slowing down! With darkness settling in sooner in the evenings, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. And with trees and shrubs losing their foliage, the winter months allow for fewer visual obstructions during birdwatching, including sighting rare wintering birds from the far north. There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
As the temperatures cool down, Blue Ridge Discovery Center isn’t slowing down! With darkness settling in sooner in the evenings, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. And with trees and shrubs losing their foliage, the winter months allow for fewer visual obstructions during birdwatching, including sighting rare wintering birds from the far north. There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.
Exploring Astronomy
Friday, November 20th, 5:30-7:30
All ages!
Seedling Scientist
Saturday, November 21st, 2:00-3:30
Ages 3-5
New River Christmas Bird Count (hosted by BRDC)
Saturday, December 19th, 9:00-5:00
Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count (hosted by Allen Boynton)
Sunday, December 20th, 9:00-5:00
Burke’s Garden Birding Trip
February 6th, 8:00-5:00
All ages!
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13th, 10:00-2:00
All ages!
Birding Burke's
Per usual, the weather was cool and damp, but that had no bearing on the birds or the company when ten of us traveled the approximately 10-mile radius of the high elevation limestone valley known as Burke’s Garden. The reason for our February visit? Birds.
Per usual, the weather was cool and damp, but that had no bearing on the birds or the company when ten of us traveled the approximately 10-mile radius of the high elevation limestone valley known as Burke’s Garden. The reason for our February visit? Birds. And raptors in particular. Burke’s Garden never disappoints.
Following a cup of coffee at Maddie’s Place, we hit the road. During the morning half-loop, we got two of our key species: rough-legged hawk and red-headed woodpecker. Numerous other species were seen, including downy woodpeckers, northern flickers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, kingfishers, a northern harrier, and an eastern meadowlark.
After refueling at Maddie’s Place once again with hearty soup and sandwiches, we set out to conquer the remaining half of Burke’s Garden. Eagles dominated the afternoon species with both the bald and golden being seen! We met another birding group that directed us to the an opportunity to catch sight of the elusive snipe (which we got!) along with several more common species, such as tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, blue jays, bluebirds, juncos, crows, ravens, and goldfinches. We also caught a glimpse of a male northern harrier!
What we missed were the ducks! Overall, it was a stellar birding trip with 30 species accounts and 774 total individual birds.
Raptors and Kids Circle Burkes Garden
Five eager and energetic students climbed into the van and began the trip to Burkes Garden
It's not often that the weather at Burkes garden cooperates in February. It can be downright nasty! Saturday was a little windy but fairly comfortable so the students of Galax Middle School experienced a real treat.
Five eager and energetic students climbed into the van and began the trip to Burkes Garden, Virginia. It is referred to by many as "God's Thumbprint". Based on its aerial and topographic view, Burkes Garden is an oval bowl completely surrounded by Garden Mountain. It was formed by the collapse of limestone caverns below and is now a very fertile valley; the highest in Virginia at over 3000 ft! But this is not all that makes this place special. It just happens to be a hot spot for raptors on their migratory path South for the winter.
The kids are very excited to be on an adventure to such a special and unique spot. At one of our rest stops, our birding guide for the day, Amy Renfranz, from Grandfather Mountain helped them understand and use their field guides by asking questions and having them find that particular species. It was a great exercise and gave the students confidence. Back in the van and up the curvy road we went!
Our first stop was around a large pond at the entrance of the community. It was a great place to get out and learn how to use the binoculars. There were geese on the pond, so it made for easy viewing. The students were naturals and all could find the birds in their binoculars. We were about to head back to the van when one spotted three birds soaring up high. There was a question..."Hey, what is that?" All the binoculars went up to witness three different raptors. Two were fairly obvious, but the third was a really special raptor. One was a Bald Eagle, the second was a Red-tailed Hawk and the third, identified as it swooped down really close, was a Rough-legged Hawk! At their first stop and within a half hour, we had seen spectacular birds! We were all so excited for what the rest of the day would reveal.
Observing a Bald Eagle on the nest
Continuing on through the valley, we turned off the main road onto a side road following fellow birders. All of a sudden the cars pulled over and out we all jumped again. The buzz and excitement were palpable as the bird soaring up above was a Golden Eagle!
We spent the entire day, riding and stopping and jumping out of the van in search of new and exciting species of birds. Allie was the scribe for the trip keeping a vigilant record of all species found. They found 22 different species of birds and became confident birders. More importantly, they had a great time!
Many thanks to Cindy Joines-Huff for getting that van, Coach Barkley for handling that vehicle so well and tolerating all the "wait!...stop!....back-up!...pull over!" all day, and especially, Amy Renfranz! You were such a pleasure to have along both educating and entertaining us all day.
Blue Ridge Expeditions: August 23rd, Hike on Garden Mountain
On this hike you will see beautiful moss- and fern-covered trees and top of the ridge line views into Burke’s Garden, and hear calling ravens. There is a 3.7 mile stretch of sandstone cliffs that drops off abruptly in some places.
This easy 4.9 mile section of the Appalachian Trail runs across the top of Garden Mountain, from Route #623 to Walker’s Gap (at end of Route #727 in Burke’s Garden).
On this hike you will see beautiful moss- and fern-covered trees and top of the ridgeline views into Burke’s Garden, and hear calling ravens. There is a 3.7 mile stretch of sandstone cliffs that drops off abruptly in some places. Bring water, as none is available on this hike. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Kangaroo Gas Station/Dairy Queen at the Bland I-77 exit and will carpool to the drop off and pick up sites from there. Please contact BRDC trip leader Amy Roberts at 276-688-3793 or aarobert@vt.edu for more information and to sign up for the hike. A limit of 20 participants will help to protect the trail.
