Craggy & Black Mountains

      Asheville, NC, USA

      VB
      93 reviews
      May 14, 2023
      Group size: 3 - 10
      Craggy & Black Mountains
      Asheville, NC, USA

      93 reviews

      $NaN
      May 14, 2023
      Group size: 3 - 10

      About this trip

      This day trip features some of the best birding that the Blue Ridge Parkway has to offer. There will be minimal hiking – most of the birding will take place from overlooks, roadsides, and picnic areas. Higher elevations will be cooler if not cold and it could be very windy. 


      The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia into North Carolina, skirting the southern end of the Black Mountains, weaving through the Craggies, the Pisgahs, the Balsams, and ending in the Great Smokies. We visit various locations heading North from Asheville on the Parkway. We will study the natural history of the area at different elevations from the foothills to the top of Mt. Mitchell (at 6,684 feet, the tallest peak in the eastern United States). At the higher elevations the mountains are cloaked with spruce-fir and northern hardwood forests mixed with heath balds of Catawba rhododendron and mountain laurel.


      Typical breeding birds of the higher elevations include Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Dark-eyed Junco, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Northern Saw-whet Owl. Hermit Thrush and Red Crossbill can be found as well. The Appalachian race of the hardy Northern Flying Squirrel, closely related to the more familiar Southern Flying Squirrel of lower elevation broad-leaved woodlands, also occurs at this elevation. 






      What’s included

      • 1 birding guide
      • lunch
      • transportation

      Your Organizer


      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      93 reviews
      Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

      Reviews

      Perhaps the best Venture Tours ever I have been on. Results: 307 birds, 207 lifers and I got to see and photograph the Resplendent Quetzal, among the worlds most beautiful birds. In addition, the lodges and food were top rate, along with the local and Ventures Guides. Ventures guide Kevin did an outstanding, professional, and courteous performance. I was very pleased with this tour.
      By Alan L for Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Tanagers & Hummingbirds 2023 on 21 Mar, 2023
      JA
      Awesome birding experience in Costa Rica. Our guides Kevin and Keith made sure we were well taken care of from the time we landed in SJO and throughout the journey. Local birding expert Jay, and Pablo our bus driver, always seemed to know exactly where to go to spot new species and then set up spotting scopes for close up view. We saw 285 species in 10 days. Best way to experience Costa Rica is with a “bird’s eye view”! Thank you for a wonderful time dear friends!!
      By Julie A for Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Tanagers & Hummingbirds 2023 on 20 Mar, 2023
      We had a very nice trip and saw lots of birds and pretty countryside. Vicki did a great job and having Bill along was fantastic! The farm was beautiful and their hospitality was more than anyone could hope for. It was a very good day! We were glad the weather cooperated! Bird highlights were Loggerhead Shrike, Horned Larks, Wilson's Snipe, Bald Eagle, Waterfowl, and sparrows.
      By David D for Cleveland County - Spring 2023 on 20 Mar, 2023
      CW
      Excellent day.
      By Cameron W for Rarity Round-up on 10 Mar, 2023
      FW
      Relaxed birding with good guides and wonderful sightings. Hotels and general accommodations were top notch. Thanks to Susan and Steve!
      By Faith W for Exploring Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on 08 Mar, 2023
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