-Sally Siko

With autumn migration upon us, some interesting birds are making their way through North Carolina.
One species, I was particularly happy to find this month was a pair of Northern Water Thrushes at Lake Lynn in Raleigh.
After hearing their distinctive chip calls, I was able to locate the pair, moving through the low brush of the mudflats and shallow creek waters at the north end of the lake.
Though the late morning lighting was a bit harsh it was great to finally grab a couple photos of these elegant birds.

Despite their name, Northern Water Thrushes are actually a species of new world warbler.
They’ve also got a surprising diet which
includes the usual insects and spiders yet they also eat snails, small clams, crabs, minnows, and even salamanders too!
Another unique characteristic of the species is that they prefer to nest on the ground.
These scrappy warblers build their nests in the dark hiding spots created in the tangles of roots from fallen or standing trees. They’ll also nest in clumps of dense vegetation near water or in cavities of stream banks.

Over the next few weeks, your best shot at finding one is near slow moving bodies of water in hardwood forested areas, such as wooded pools, slow-moving streams, and in swampy areas.
They also hang out in the margins of dammed up beaver ponds, and along the shores of lakes and ponds such as was the case here at Lake Lynn.
Look for them moving through the Carolinas from now through mid October.

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5