Surely no one knows what the weather holds in store for us over the next month. I believe the largest 24-hour snowfall ever recorded in North Carolina occurred on May 11, 1994, when over 4 feet was recorded at Mt. Pisgah. Regardless of what the weather may hold in store, the spring juggernaut is in high gear.

A loud, enthusiastic avian chorus greets each new dawn. This chorus is growing every day as more migrants arrive. If you are fortunate enough to live in a wooded area, listen for the flute-like song of the wood thrush. This soothing melody has recently joined the morning reveille at my house. The wood thrush often offers a lullaby in the evening as well.

Purple martins, tree swallows, barn swallows and northern rough-winged swallows are all present on Lake Junaluska. There are still a few migrating shorebirds trickling through. I saw two solitary sandpipers on Sunday, April 15.

It is also time to wash, fill and hang the hummingbird feeders. Reports of hummers have been pouring in to the Carolina Bird Club’s (CBC) listserve, from across the Carolinas. Hummers have arrived at my house between the 12th and 18th of April for the past three years.

Other migrants I have observed over the past week include broad-winged hawk, rose-breasted grosbeak, blue-headed vireo and warblers including northern parula, black- and- white, black-throated green, black-throated blue, American redstart, ovenbird and hooded.

The flora is expanding even faster than the fauna. The woods, meadows and roadsides are brimming with added color every day. In some areas trout lily and bloodroot have come and gone, but some higher and shadier sites are just reaching their prime. Trilliums are also coming into their own. Several species including cuneatum, erectum and grandiflorum are in bloom.

Often hidden beneath the leaf litter, the beautiful, delicate and wonderfully scented white flowers of trailing arbutus are presently in bloom. This creeping shrub with its leathery green leaves growing along the forest floor is in the same family as rhododendron (Ericace).

Also in bloom now and likely covered by leaf litter are the small maroon to brown fleshy flowers of wild ginger. Look for the two large kidney-shaped leaves a few inches above the ground. The flower is found at ground level, at the base of these leaves.

Various species of purple, yellow and white violets are blooming. Spring beauty, the delicate hepatica, squirrel corn, cut-leaved toothwort, large and small-flowered bellwort and blue cohosh are a few of the other wildflowers presently in bloom.

The woodland trails are covered with fallen maple flowers and some are still clinging. These are joined by dogwood, service berry, Carolina silverbell and magnolia.

Along with the wildflower eruption comes the awakening of butterflies. Probably the most noticeable of the early butterflies is the large yellow and black eastern tiger swallowtail. The female of this species is di-morphic and some are black. There is another black swallowtail presently out. I saw several this past weekend but didn’t get a close look. My guess is these were spicebush swallowtails because one of their major food plants, spicebush, is currently in bloom. Other butterflies seen this past weekend included West Virginia white, eastern, and mourning cloak.

The 51st Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage will take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park April 25-29. This is a great opportunity to view and learn about the flora and fauna of the GSMNP in particular and the Southern Appalachians in general. There will be birding and butterfly trips as well as wildflower hikes. Bats, salamanders, bear and boar will also be featured. Call 865.436.7318, ext. 22, or go to www.wildflowerpilgrimage.org to find out more.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News