The Black Balsam Knob Road is a paved Forest Service road that leads from the
Blue Ridge Parkway up through the spruces to a parking lot and the trailheads
for several popular hiking trails. I always stop along the steep initial part to
look and listen for Alder Flycatchers. This area also usually has Eastern Towhees
and Common Yellowthroats, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, Black-capped Chickadees,
and Dark-eyed Juncos are often in evidence.
On this occasion both the yellowthroat (above) and towhee (below) were calling. If you
are going to learn any calls, as opposed to songs, these are two good ones to start with.
Both are distinctive and commonly heard from these common, handsome, and interesting
species.