A relaxed day of birding from roadsides, gravel roads and overlooks with a minimal amount of walking.  Weather at the higher elevations can be unpredictable – rain gear and a light jacket are recommended as are good walking shoes. Bring plenty of snacks/water and be sure to pack a lunch.

Heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway we’ll stop at various overlooks along the way as we wind up towards the higher elevations of approximately 5,000’. At these higher (and cooler!) elevations, we can expect birds commonly seen there such as Canada Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Least Flycatcher and Alder Flycatcher. These birds are often seen at the Black Balsams where we’ll do a short walk down the Flat Laurel Creek trail to find them. Black-capped Chickadee is also a possibility in this area, along with the ever-nomadic Crossbills that surprise us from time to time.

We will wind up our trip at Devil’s Courthouse Overlook where Peregrine Falcon has nested in past times and continues to be seen occasionally roosting on the rock ledge.