Highlights of the Carolina Outdoors

Host Bill Bartee welcomes longtime contributor to the Carolina Outdoors, Judy Walker.  Walker has been watching birds as a kid.  However, it was in the 1980s when a female cardinal should up in her window.  This became her “spark bird” & began her interest in ornithology.  She shares her thoughts on the local club history to the changes in technology, & the continuing growth of members of the Mecklenburg Audubon Society.

Judy Walker of the Mecklenburg Audubon Society shares how people have recently been coming into the activity of bird watching.  She adds to Carolina Outdoor host, Bill Bartee’s list of famed people with Amy Tan, author of the Backyard Bird Chronicles & the character James Bond was named for a friend of Ian Fleming. Backyard watching is how many people begin in the activity of birdwatching.  There is nothing that should hold someone back, except time, in becoming a birder.  Birdwatching is a “gateway to the outdoors.”

Elijah St. Blancard, Head Guide and Instructor at Jesse Brown’s, joins us today on the Carolina Outdoors to go over the spring ’25 fishing report and open a window into his philosophy as a guide and outdoorsman. Tune in for advice, learning opportunities, and more in this episode of the Carolina Outdoors.

Today we are joined by Alex Flowers, backpacking outfitter and world traveler from Jesse Brown’s. Alex is a backpacker, sailor, Scout and adventurer from Charlotte, and has just returned from a weeklong adventure in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Listen in as we delve into the logistics, history, and present day feel of the Emerald Isle.

Before the Tuck Fest became one of the premier outdoor festivals in the Southeast, it was a small gathering of outdoor enthusiasts at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (NWWC) in Charlotte, NC. The event was born from the desire to celebrate everything from whitewater rafting and kayaking to trail running and mountain biking. Over time, the Tuck Fest grew into a massive multi-day event that brings together world-class athletes and weekend warriors alike. This year, the competition has reached new heights, with an invite-only bike race featuring a $15,000 purse, plus a wild card entry that adds an extra layer of excitement. For climbers, the Deep Water Solo Wall will be the site of fierce competition, with a $15,000 prize up for grabs for the most daring and skilled ascents. On top of that, mirrored routes set side-by-side offer a high-stakes, head-to-head climbing challenge. Kayak racing in the rapids will also take center stage, with competitors navigating through challenging gates in the Whitewater Center’s raging currents, all for a shot at the $10,000 purse. The festival’s unique combination of outdoor challenges, live music, and prize money has cemented it as a cornerstone of Charlotte’s outdoor culture, offering a perfect blend of adrenaline and community spirit.