Top Spots for Birdwatching Near Black Mountain, North Carolina
Did you know? …According to a study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, birding is the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the nation! Read on to find out our top picks for bird watching near Black Mountain, NC this spring.
Every year nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts come to western North Carolina for the breathtaking views, overlooks, towering trees, and cascading waterfalls, but they are also coming to see the incredible wildlife as well as beautiful and unique birds.
Lake Tomahawk
Less than a half mile from downtown Black Mountain, NC is Lake Tomahawk. One of our favorite places to see the stunning Blue Herons. The lake has an easy .6-mile trail that circles the lake with amazing mountain views. Birds to look for: Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Eastern bluebirds, Red tail hawks, and Warblers. There are several other hiking trails in the area that are great for bird-watching with moderate effort.
Buffalo Creek Park Trail
Bullhead Mountain Trail
Glassmine Falls Overlook
Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
Managed by the Blue Ridge Audubon Society, the eight-acre sanctuary along Beaver Lake just a short drive from Black Mountain. A boardwalk allows visitors to observe birds and other wildlife in several different habitat types. The Sanctuary is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year (no dogs allowed)
Birds to look for: Warblers, Gray Catbird, Blue‐gray Gnatcatcher, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Brown‐headed Nuthatches, Chimney Swift, Orioles, Eastern Kingbird.
Biltmore Estate
The 8,000 acres of farmland, meadow, woods and parkland surrounding the estate and development are perfect for bird watching. There are several gardens with easy access to the road on the estate for birdwatching. Favorite places to go are the gardens, Bass Pond just beyond the gardens, and the Deer Park Trail.
Birds sighted in this area; Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, Pine Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk, Great-horned and Eastern Screech-Owls
Blue Ridge Parkway
Did you know that the Blue Ridge Parkway is home to over 250 bird species? Access the Parkway just a few miles from Black Mountain. Here you will find northern and southern birds alike depending on the season as they pass thru during spring and fall migration seasons. Blue Ridge Parkway Birds
Birds sighted in this area; Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-throated Green Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Canada Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owls, American Kestrels, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Kingfishers, Sandpipers, Bitterns, Great Egrets, Cerulean Warblers, Peregrine Falcons, Appalachian Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Chimney Rock State Park
This 1,000-acre park in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge is an easy drive from Black Mountain, NC. It has 4 hiking trails that range from easy to moderate. attracts birds from the low-lying riverbanks to the heights of Chimney Rock. Four easy-to-moderate hiking trails and a 404-foot waterfall make exploring nature fun. Check out their Guide to Birding, The spring and fall migration of birds through Hickory Nut Gorge is very impressive.
These are the best times for birding in the park
Birds sighted in this area; Peregrine Falcon, Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Yellow and Yellow-throated Warbler, Belted Kingfisher, Scarlet Tanager, and as many as 15 species of warbler and vireo
North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is a perfect place for bird watchers to explore and learn more about these creatures. It is a 434-acre public center for education, research, and conservation located within the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville. With its diverse array of habitats, it provides an excellent opportunity for birders to observe different species of birds in their natural environment. Whether you are an experienced birder or just starting out, don’t miss this chance to explore the wonders of nature at the North Carolina Arboretum!
Birds sighted in this area; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler, American Redstart
With the right research and preparation, you can find an abundance of different species of birds in the area. Knowing where to look and what to look for can help you identify the birds and make the most out of your bird watching experience. By researching the locations of birds in western North Carolina, you can plan your trips accordingly and get up close to nature. Throughout the year, you can find species such as:
- Great Blue Heron
- Wild Turkey
- Rocking Dove
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Blue Jay
- Carolina Wren
- American Robin
- Eastern Screech-Owl
- Downy Woodpecker
- Mallard
- Tufted Titmouse
In the warmer months, you’ll most likely be able to see:
- Chimney Swift
- Barn Swallow
- Yellow Warbler
- Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
- Baltimore Oriole
- Red-Winged Blackbird
- Wood Thrush
- Gray Catbird
- Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher
The birds of western North Carolina that specifically enjoy cold weather are:
- Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
- Purple Finch
- Pine Siskin
- Evening Grosbeak
- Dark-Eyed Junco
- Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
