North Carolina Facts: Bird Watching in Asheville, NC

Bird watching is a popular national past time. According to a joint project between the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Great Backyard Bird Count, most recently reported 635 species in the U.S. Out of those, 195 were reported in the state of North Carolina and 56, specifically germane to Asheville, NC.

So, if you're considering a visit to Asheville, NC; are planning to purchase a prime piece of mountain real estate; or already own real estate in Asheville, bird watching may be a new hobby to consider.

Where to go in Asheville NC for Prime Bird Watching

The Asheville area offers a number of opportunities for ideal Blue Ridge Mountain bird watching. The Canada Goose is the most often reported, as is the Dark-eyed Junco and American Coot. More elusive, but documented, are the Eastern Phoebe; Red-breasted Nuthatch; and the Belted Kingfisher.

The Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
Half uplands and half wetlands and lakeside. While it is located in an urban setting, it provides good resting, feeding and nesting spots for resident and migratory birds. Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, a chapter of National Audubon, owns half the 10-acre sanctuary and manages the rest under an agreement with the Lake View Park homeowners' association, owner of Beaver Lake. It's truly a prime piece of Asheville NC real estate.

The sanctuary features a boardwalk loop that is less than on mile with two lake overlooks, numerous resting areas, and an eco-filter pond designed to clean up storm run-off before it enters the lake and the French Broad River system. Some birds to watch for include: the Brown-headed Nuthatch (rare in the mountains); the Warbling Vireo; Eastern Kingbirds; and Chimney Swifts.

Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock Park comprises 1,000 acres of NC mountain real estate, 25 miles southeast of Asheville, NC. It was purchased in 1902 by Missouri physician Lucius B. Morse and his twin brothers Hiram and Asahel. Up until 2007 when the State of North Carolina purchased the Park, it was privately owned and operated by the Morse family. Currently, the Park is home to frequent guided bird-watching walks. Their 2008 ‘Simon Says' Series of Guided Bird Walks begins with a stroll to spot spring migrants like Black-throated Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Blue-headed Vireo. Simon Thompson is a world-traveled ornithologist and this first walk is scheduled for April 13. The second follows on May 11.

Blue Ridge Parkway
This famous Parkway meanders through beautiful parts of western North Carolina and offers a sanctuary for bird spotters that range from the American Bittern to the Whip-poor-will. Specifically in spring, (March to May), the Eastern Bluebird; the Indigo Bunting; Gray Catbirds; Mourning Doves; and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are all visible. Bird watchers may also get a peek at a Gnatcatcher, American Goldfinch, Grackle or Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Parula and Eastern Phoebe are common as are the American Redstart, Chipping, White-throated and Field Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager and Rufous-sided Towhee.

Many members of the warbler family may also be seen in the spring sky that hovers over the Blue Ridge Parkway, including the Blackpoll, Black-and-white, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Pine, Prairie, Yellow and Yellow-rumped varieties.

Max Patch
Approximately 30 minutes from Hot Springs, Max Patch Road traverses Pisgah National Forest and the Appalachian Trail. The road to the summit winds through farmland, hilly pastureland, old fields, and second-growth forest. This unusual topography serves as an attractive environment for a variety of species and is one of the best areas in western North Carolina to spot Golden-winged Warblers and Least Flycatchers on their breeding grounds.

Be sure to pick up a local bird-watching guide book to help you enjoy all that spring in Asheville has to offer bird-watching enthusiasts.