Tom,
Ask for trail maps for Skyland, Big Meadow, and Lewis Mountain areas when you enter the park. All three areas have good birding.
Limberlost Trail at mile 42 near Skyland is my favorite area in the morning. Canadian (dense undergrowth) and Blackburnian warblers (canopy) were on White Oak Canyon trail near where it crosses Limberlost. Redstart are abundant throughout Limberlost, and chestnut sided and hooded fairly common. Black-throated blue are possible. Veery's will be heard and maybe seen.
In the Big Meadow area I like the Appalachian Trail north or south of Milam Gap. Edges of the meadow can also be productive.
The ceruleans (canopy) were on the Appalachian Trail south of an obscure parking area at mile 59.5. This is parking for the head of Pocosin Fire Road.
Various warblers nest throughout the park, and I have had surprises simply stopping at overlooks. Some birds like to fly to the ridgetop and appear at overlooks late afternoon including rose-breasted grosbeaks and tanagers
A list of breeding species in the park is here
http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/upload/Birds_of_Shenandoah_National_Park.pdf
some info about Pocosin birding
http://www.aviatlas.com/hotspots/united-states/virginia/pocosin-cabin-area-shenandoah-national-park-info.html
Good birding.
Dave Roberts
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