Blowing Rock Field Trip Schedule and Descriptions

Spring Meeting Planning Notes

The times listed above are when the cars are lined up in the parking lot and leaving. Please be there at least 10 minutes early and identify yourself to the leader. If you decide not to go on a trip, either scratch through your name beforehand on the supplied lists at the registration table, or show up at the meeting place and tell the leader. Please consider doing this in advance so others may use the open spot if desired.

All trips meet and depart from the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock. Look for the placard with your trip number. You will receive a sheet with directions for all your trips in your registration packet. Please bring it on each trip as caravans sometimes break down. Food for purchase during field trips may be somewhat limited. Accordingly, plan to take snacks and beverages with you, and be sure to pack a lunch for the all day trips.

We try to take as few vehicles as possible on field trips in order to save fuel, make caravanning easier, and to make better use of the limited parking that exists at some stops. Please plan on carpooling. Enjoy the trips and the meeting

Blowing Rock Meeting Field Trip Descriptions

Trips 1 and 17: Wagner Property

Probably the only way you can visit this property is through the CBC meeting; don't miss this chance! The owners have given us permission to bird it during our meeting weekend. This area has been a favorite of anyone who has visited it: there is a large marsh with several Green Heron nests and an American Bittern has been spotted here several times. Passerines are always plentiful in migration with a variety of warblers, vireos, tanagers and orioles. Limit: 16. Travel time: 35 minutes. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces and driving.

Trips 2, 6, 18 and 25: Valle Crucis Community Park

This park is one of the gems of the area and holds the only county record for King Rail and Chuck-will's-widow. It is bounded by the Watauga River, agricultural land and forests. Nesting birds include seven species of flycatcher: Least, Willow, Acadian, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested and Eastern Phoebe. Also look for four species of vireos, both orioles and three swallows. As far as warblers, over 25 species have been seen here in migration. Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler and Northern Parula are local breeders. With easy walking on paved trails and open viewing areas, this is a high country favorite. Limit: 16. Travel time: 30 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on paved surfaces.

Trip 3: Birding Techniques for Beginners at Bass and Trout Lakes

This trip will dedicate a large amount of time to teaching various birding techniques including: locating birds, basic vocal and visual identification tips, group birder etiquette, and other useful birding tips. This trip is designed for any beginning to intermediate birder looking to enhance their birding skills in the setting of Bass and Trout Lakes. This trip will take a slower approach, with time spent focusing on techniques and field marks rather than a complete species inventory of everything at the park. Limit: 12. Travel time: 10 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on unpaved surfaces (uneven at Trout Lake).

Trip 4: Blue Ridge Parkway North: Lewis Fork Overlook

If you want to see a Cerulean Warbler, Lewis Fork is a very good spot. Breeding warblers include Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and American Redstart. This site along the Parkway will no doubt have many migrating birds as well. At Jeffress Park we'll walk the one-mile Cascade Trail, which goes through hardwoods, with creek edge. Some of the breeders are Hooded and Canada Warblers, Wood Thrush, Eastern Wood-Pewee, and Scarlet Tanager. Limit: 16. Travel time: 35 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: hiking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 5: Rich Mountain and Elk Knob State Park

We will visit these two sites and others within the Amphibolite peaks. This is a great location for open-country birds and early succession habitat species. The trip involves some hiking on steep, uneven terrain. Bring your lunch. Species of the area include Vesper Sparrow, Least Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and many northern hardwood and high elevation birds. Limit: 16. Travel time: 40 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on unpaved surfaces.

Trip 7 and 21: Meat Camp Environmental Study Area

Over 170 species have been recorded on this private 10-acre site since 1999. Some of the nesting birds are Common Yellowthroat, Green Heron, Yellow Warbler, and Least and Willow Flycatchers. Black-billed Cuckoo has also nested here on occasion. Lingering Sora, Virginia Rail and American Bittern are possible. Many migrants should be seen in this wetland site. This is an easy ¾ mile walk. If we have time, we'll go to nearby Green Valley Park, another excellent migration spot. Limit: 16. Travel time: 35 minutes. Facilities: no. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 8 and 20: Linville Falls via the Blue Ridge Parkway

This trip will cover the campground and some of the less strenuous trails along the gorge and falls. Much of this area was never logged due to the steep terrain, so the trees are mostly old-growth. Red Crossbill and Swainson's Warbler are possible here. Peregrine Falcons also nest nearby. We'll look for Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak among others. Limit: 16. Travel time: 40 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on unpaved surfaces.

Trip 9: Boone Greenway

Following the New River, this greenway passes through a variety of habitats, from fields and stream borders to woodlands. It is flat, easy walking and should provide a wide assortment of migrants in the riparian habitat. Willow Flycatcher, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler and Eastern Kingbird are some of the breeders. Four, or possibly five, vireos can be found, along with many other passerines. Shorebird potential is good along the river, or in the newly constructed wetland area. If nearby fields have standing water, we could find some more there. Possibilities include Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plover and Wilson's Snipe. Limit: 16. Travel time: 15 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on paved surfaces.

Trip 10: Blue Ridge Parkway South

This trip will visit Bass Lake, Price Lake, and the eastern slopes of Grandfather Mountain. Bass Lake, located in Moses H. Cone Park, offers some of the best birding along the Parkway. We'll find birds usually associated with higher elevation forests. These include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Warblers could include Blackburnian, Ovenbird, Hooded, Canada, and Chestnut-sided. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations within 35 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on unpaved surfaces (uneven at Trout Lake).

Trip 11: Blue Ridge Parkway

This trip will combine several spots covered in half-day trips for those folks who want to take a short lunch and keep birding. These spots include Bass and Trout Lakes, Price Lake, Lewis Fork Overlook, E.B. Jeffress Park, and other overlooks and short trails along the way. Most of these sites are described in other trips. You will need to pack a lunch, since it's a full day trip. Expect a wide variety of birds as we will cover many different habitats. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: yes. Activity level: hiking on uneven surfaces and some car birding.

Trip 12: Wilson Creek Area

This trip will spend the day in the Pisgah National Forest searching for spring migrants down the Blue Ridge escarpment. We should see many stages of spring as it travels steeply down in elevation through the Wilson Creek drainage. The route passes into the breeding range of Yellow-throated warbler and Northern Parula. We'll also look for migratory Blackburnian warblers, Swainson's warbler and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Pack a lunch for this trip. Limit: 16. Travel time: 90 minutes. Facilities: limited. Activity level: hiking on uneven surfaces and some car birding.

Trip 13: Table Rock and the Linville Gorge

Comprised of nearly 12,000 acres of congressionally designated wilderness, the Linville Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East. This elevation range should be excellent for such species as Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Black-throated Green Warbler and Black-throated Blue Warbler. The gorge is also host to Peregrine Falcon. This should be a great trip that includes a hike along the rim of the gorge. Pack a lunch and be prepared with sunscreen! Limit: 16. Travel time: 90 minutes. Facilities: limited. Activity level: moderate hiking on uneven surfaces and some car birding.

Trip 14: Grandfather Mountain Full Day

Spend the day on the eastern, western and southern faces of Grandfather Mountain. This trip will involve hiking on the Profile Trail in the state park, exploring the high elevations spruce-fir forest on Stewardship Foundation land, and strolling beside streams along the Nuwati trail. Expect numerous migrants in varied habitats with quite a bit of walking! Blackburnian Warbler, Canada Warbler, Veery, and several other songsters will be sought out on a day on this iconic mountain. Pack a lunch or plan to eat at the park's restaurant. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations within an hour. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces. Fee: $6/person.

Trip 15: Young Birder Trip to Valle Crucis Park

This trip is especially designed for the up-and-coming group of birders. It will center around Valle Crucis Park with the possibilities to see Yellow Warbler, Northern Parula, Common Yellowthroat as well as orioles and a few flycatchers. The park is one of those spots that could turn up just about anything! Limit: 12. Travel time: 30 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on paved surfaces.

Trip 16: Bass and Trout Lakes

This trip will visit Bass Lake and Trout Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bass Lake, located in Moses H. Cone Park, offers some of the best birding along the Parkway. The trail around 22-acre Bass Lake goes through a mix of conifers. Expect a good variety of migrants along with breeders such as House Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch and Barn Swallow. The one-mile loop trail around the 16-acre Trout Lake goes through a hemlock canopy with a rhododendron understory. We should find birds usually associated with higher elevation forests. These include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Warblers could include Blackburnian, Ovenbird, Hooded, Canada, and Chestnut-sided. Limit: 16. Travel time: 10 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on unpaved surfaces (uneven at Trout Lake).

Trip 19: Warbler Search

The High Country is renowned for the variety of warblers that breed and pass through the region. This trip will move through multiple habitats in the high country with a focus on this special suite of birds. This will mean looking high and low, experiencing "warbler neck" and dipping in multiple areas searching for as many warblers as possible in one morning! Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 22: Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Land

Visit the Stewardship Foundation park in search of northern species such as Common Raven, Canada Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler and Red Crossbill. We'll take a couple of short walks on this trip and enjoy the views and the birds on this mountain of abundant life and diversity. Limit: 16. Travel time: 35 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces. Fee: $6/person.

Trip 23: Warbler Workshop

The High Country is renowned for the variety of warblers that breed and pass through the region. This trip will first examine the field marks, habitat and other distinguishing characteristics of our warblers then move into a couple of habitats to search for migrant and breeding warblers. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 24: Price Lake Hike

This trip will follow the 2½-mile flat loop trail around the lake in Julian Price Park. We can expect a good variety of birds, including Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Warbler species include Canada, Ovenbird, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Black-and-white, and Northern Parula. If the water is low, a variety of shorebirds could be present. Sandpipers may include Least, White-rumped, Solitary, Spotted and Semipalmated. Both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Short-billed Dowitcher have also shown up. Limit: 16. Travel time: 20 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 26: Elk Knob and Elk Knob Game Lands (Rich Mountain)

Explore the forests of Elk Knob State Park and the open areas between Rich Mountain and Snake Mountain. Rising more than 5,500 feet above sea level in northwestern North Carolina, Elk Knob is one of the peaks in the Amphibolite range. The mountain is characterized by northern hardwood forest and supports birds such as Ruffed Grouse, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Broad-winged Hawk, Veery and Canada Warbler. The open areas between Rich Mountain and Snake Mountain will be explored for raptors, sparrows and freshly arrived warbler species. Pack a lunch for this trip! Limit: 16. Travel time: 30 minutes. Facilities: yes. Activity level: walking/hiking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 27: Big Lost Cove Cliffs

Explore a unique rocky outcropping within the Wilson Creek Area of the Pisgah National Forest. This trip is a hike down to spectacular overlooks of the Blue Ridge. Along the way, expect migrant songsters; Peregrine Falcons have nested on the cliffs and have been seen in recent years. Pack a lunch and plan on a 3-mile round trip hike out to the overlook. Limit: 12. Travel time: 60 minutes. Facilities: in travel only. Activity level: challenging hiking on uneven surfaces.

Trips 28 and 37: Warbler Big Day

The High Country is renowned for the variety of warblers that breed and pass through the region. This trip will move through multiple habitats in the high country with a focus on this special suite of birds. This will mean looking high and low, experiencing "warbler neck" and dipping in multiple areas searching for as many warblers as possible in one day! Pack a lunch for this trip! Limit: 12. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking/hiking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 29: Grandfather Mountain: Eastern and Western slopes

The Profile Trail is part of Grandfather Mountain State Park and follows a creek along the first section before a moderate climb up toward the crest. The trip will stop about 1.5 miles up the Profile Trail. This is a good area for Ruffed Grouse, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Winter Wren, Wood Thrush, Veery and Brown Creeper. Warblers could include Canada, Ovenbird, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, and Black-and-white. The Tanawha Trail runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Linn Cove Viaduct. It is less hilly and meanders through a deciduous canopy with laurel and rhododendron understory. Expect a variety of warblers, vireos and other passerines. Pack a lunch for this trip. Limit: 16. Travel time: 45 minutes. Facilities: limited. Activity level: moderate hiking on uneven surfaces.

Trip 30: Blue Ridge Parkway Owl Prowl

This experience will comb the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Blowing Rock in search of Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl and the local specialty Northern Saw-whet Owl. In addition, we'll look for American Woodcocks which can't be passed up on this route! Bring a headlamp or small flashlight and dress warmly. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces at night.

Trip 31: Elk Knob Owl Prowl

Travel to the high forests in the Amphibolites in search of a suite of night-time birds and insects. This trip will search for Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl and Screech Owl in addition to moths of the High Country. Bring a headlamp or small flashlight and dress warmly. Limit: 16. Travel time: multiple destinations. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces at night.

Trip 32: Grandfather Mountain Owl Prowl

After traveling to the top of Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak, we'll work our way down in elevation while making stops listening for the owls that breed on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain. Bring a headlamp or small flashlight and dress warmly. Limit: 16. Travel time: 35 minutes. Facilities: limited. Activity level: walking on uneven surfaces at night.

Trip 36: Warbler Workshop (Indoor)

This indoor workshop will examine the field marks, habitat and other distinguishing characteristics of our warblers. This is the indoor portion of Trip 23; only those registered for Trip 23 will continue with the outdoor portion. Limit: 50. Travel time: none. Facilities: yes. Activity level: classroom

Trip 38: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

This trip will travel to Ashe County and make stops at the overlooks on the way to the summit area of Mount Jefferson. Breeding birds along this route are typical of upland deciduous hardwood forest types and include Black-and-white warbler, Ovenbird, Worm-eating warbler, Northern Parula, Hooded warbler, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, and Wild Turkeys. Limit: 16 Travel Time: 55 minutes. Facilities: Yes. Activity level: Walking on uneven surfaces.