Tag Archives: the nc birding trail

Bird watching Videos, Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Bird watching video : The Prairie Ridge Ecostation NC Birding Trail

By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching N.C.

A few days ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh, N.C. What an amazing place to go birding!

Bird blind viewing station at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation

I counted 20 different species in about an hour and a half and even got to get up close to an Eastern Towhee. With such a rich habitat consisting of dense brushy undergrowth, small trees, wide open fields, and even a pond, this is what I would consider as being a premier bird watching destination in central North Carolina.

I made a video so that you can experience this amazing place (virtually) for yourself.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day. It was particularly awesome to encounter the Towhee and the Red-shouldered Hawk!

Eastern Towhee
Red-shouldered Hawk
White-throated Sparrow
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Hooded Mergansers
House Finches
Northern Cardinals

If you’d like to visit, here is a map below. Take note that the Prairie Ridge Ecostation is closed on Mondays.

For detailed visitor information, check out the Prairie Ridge Ecostation website HERE.

To learn about all of the the awesome North Carolina Birding Trail sites, please visit https://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/

Field Notes, Out There with the Expert, The Adventures of your bird watching Admin

Yates Mill Park Birding : Photographing a Brown Thrasher

By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching NC

Yates Mill Park in Raleigh is one of my favorite spots to visit along the North Carolina Birding Trail. Boasting at least 3 different habitats within a half mile walk, it’s the kind of place where you can see waterfowl, shore birds, raptors, and song birds all within 30 mins.
The best part is that this is truly a 4 season park which hosts a high number of varied species of birds throughout the year.
Spring, summer, autumn or winter, there is no end to the surprising diversity of bird life.

Yesterday’s trip was no exception!
I set out to go birding in the morning and was rewarded with a trip list yielding 18 species in about an hour. Some of my highlights included a Bald Eagle, Buffleheads, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Fox Sparrows and even a pair of Ring-neck Ducks.
Not bad for a quick walk!


One of my favorite encounters was seeing this lovely Brown Thrasher. Normally these secretive birds hang out in the shadowy tangles and thickets, always on the hunt for vine bearing fruits. It can be surprisingly difficult to see them, much less capture a clean photograph, as they lurk amid tangles of vegetation.
Lol, I love how intensely these birds seem to glare in my direction. Such a striking bird 🙂

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc
Canon 5Ds

Come birding with me! I’ve got a few tours scheduled for Yates Mill Park in 2020. Check out the link below for trip details and available dates.

https://birdwatchingnc.com/birdwatching-n-c-trips-birding-in-north-carolina/birding-at-yates-mill-park-trips/