Trail 17: Crabtree Creek East - Alleghany Trail (Part A)

04/01/2012.  9:05 AM.

Start:  GPS N 35, 50.257, W 78, 39.510
End:   GPS N 35, 49.482, W 78, 39.094

I've divided the Crabtree Creek Trail into eastern and western sections, with the dividing line being the Ironwood Trail (South). My intention is to explore the entire eastern section first, then to come back and follow the entire western section.

The Alleghany Trail begins a short distance to the east of the southern endpoint of the Ironwood Trail, at a point where the main Crabtree Creek Trail meets the North Hills Trail Segment.  The North Hills Trail Segment is about a quarter mile long and quite steep. It is technically part of the Crabtree Creek Trail system, but the main Crabtree Creek Trail is at the bottom of the hill.

Once down the hill, a turn to the left puts you at the start of the Alleghany section of Crabtree Creek Trail. The Alleghany Trail passes under the 440 freeway after only a short distance, then follows along Crabtree Creek and Alleghany Drive. Anyone wishing to avoid the steep hill down from North Hills Park can instead access the trail just south of the 440 freeway near the intersection of Alleghany Drive and Alamance Drive.

Birds Sighted Between North Hills Park and the 440 Freeway Overpass: I expected to see a number of birds around the North Hills Park parking lot before descending the steep trail, but saw very little activity. Today's start was a little earlier than usual, so that might be the reason.

American Crow:  GPS N 35, 50.301, W 78, 39.534.

Northern Cardinal:  These were plentiful along the trail, often in pairs.

Possible Palm Warbler:  I caught sight of a yellowish bird flying across the trail. It proceeded to land in a distant tree where it was mostly obscured by leaves, but what I did see of it made me think it was a warbler. It stayed only long enough to make a few calls, then flew away. I checked the calls for all of the likely warblers in the area, and the Palm Warbler was by far the closest. This would be a new one for my lifelist, as well as the Capital Area Greenway list. Unfortunately, it is not a confirmed sighting so I won't be adding it to either list.

Tufted Titmouse: GPS N 35, 50.277, W 78, 39.611. It was waggling its wings in a way I had not seen before, apparently as part of a courtship ritual. Later, I heard one singing a very beautiful song. Much sweeter than the raspy sound I've grown used to.

Carolina Wren: GPS N 35, 50.248, W 78, 39.707.  It was on a naked branch less than 20 feet from the 440 freeway overpass, and at about eye level, singing its beautiful song. These birds can sure produce a lot of volume for such small bodies!

Birds Sighted Between the 440 Overpass and Hertford Street Entrance:  The beginning of this section feels somewhat secluded from the houses that line Alleghany drive. Later, the trail runs very close to the backyards of some very large houses, some of which must be at least 4000 square feet. Considering the size of some of these houses, and the location right along the river, I assume that some of Raleigh's one-percenters live here. Near the end of this section, the trail becomes a dirt path.

White Throated Sparrow: GPS N 35, 50.143, W 78, 39.518. This one was in a tree and appeared to be eating something like an inchworm.

Eastern Phoebe: GPS N 35, 50.048, W 78, 39.518. Hawking for insects by the creek.

House Finch: Male and female pair, near the Eastern Phoebe.

American Robin: Lone individual standing beside the path.

Carolina Chickadee:  GPS N 35, 49.969, W 78, 39.443.

Ruby Crowned Kinglet:  Female.

Blue Jay:  GPS N 35, 49.878, W 78, 39.304. Had a mouth full of nesting material.

Probable Sharp Shinned Hawk:  Soaring above the creek at a bit of a distance. It was definitely a small hawk with a long tail, and the markings seemed to fit best with the Sharp Shinned.

Red Bellied Woodpecker:  GPS N 35, 49.788, W 78, 39.321.

American Goldfinch:  Lone male.

Canada Goose:  This goose was alone and in a foul mood. Lots of hissing and general discontent at my passing.

The trail turns to a dirt path for a short distance from GPS N 35, 49.656, W 78, 39.214, where it runs right next to the river. At the end of the dirt path is an entrance to the trail adjacent to 536 Hertford Street. From this point, the Crabtree Creek - Alleghany Trail technically continues on, but about a quarter mile of this distance is sidewalk that runs through this wealthy residential neighborhood.  The trail passes Root Elementary School, beside which there is an entrance back into the trees at around 3200 Northampton Street. This is where I turned around for the day.

Birds Sighted on the Return Trip:

Northern Mockingbird:  GPS N 35, 49.480, W 78, 39.086. Sighted along Hertford Street.

Brown Thrasher:  GPS N 35, 49.703, W 78, 39.335.

Dark Eyed Junco:  GPS N 35, 49.905, W 78, 39.332.

Yellow Rumped Warbler:  GPS N 35, 50.070, W 78, 39.573. These were moving around as a pair.

White Breasted Nuthatch:  Also in a pair, with one seemingly chasing the other.

I arrived back at the car around 12:20 PM. I did not identify any new birds this time, though the possible Palm Warbler and probable Sharp Shinned Hawk would both have been new birds if I could have confirmed them. Total count for this outing was 19 species, which is on the high end of the normal range for recent outings.