Discovering Bridal Cove's Treasures

— Jeffrey Scott, Boone NC

I remember the day I realized why the land at Bridal Cove is so special.

It was late summer, and I was walking near the bog when I saw a small flock of warblers I didn't recognize. Their black-and-yellow markings and their song––that high buzzy sound––caught my attention.

Because Bridal Cove is adjacent to my land, I think of it as my backyard. I've been birding for a long time, and I've spent a lot of time on that land. I've seen golden eagles and peregrine falcons out there, but these warblers were a new species for me. I was excited.

I watched the birds for awhile, then went on to discover other treasures: a rose-breasted grosbeak and a Turk's cap lily. At home I consulted my bird guide and learned the birds were golden-winged warblers, a species designated as Significantly Rare in North Carolina.

These warblers represent all that I love about these mountains. You can walk through acres of unspoiled habitat, in places like Bridal Cove, and see an amazing array of plants and wildlife. Everything you see lives in this particular place on earth for a reason. You can lose yourself in the exploration.

Since I first saw the warblers, Audubon North Carolina has done DNA testing to confirm there are four adult males and a breeding pair of golden-winged warblers living at Bridal Cove. They thrive in the clean air and rely on the shrubby vegetation near the bogs for food and cover. More than 115 other bird species make their home Bridal Cove. Many of them are considered conservation priorities as well.