We had three reasons to travel to western North Carolina:
- Bird in 14 counties to increase the number of species to at least 30
- Visit family
- Celebrate our 42nd anniversary
Following are the highlights from each of the counties we stopped in to find birds.
McDOWELL county
Northern Mockingbird at the Catawba Greenway and Lake Tahoma, where access was limited to stopping along the road–the lake properties are all privately owned.
AVERY county
It was getting dark when we finished our first day at this charming wetlands park in Newland.
MITCHELL county
We heard some sweet warblers in the woods at the Penland School of Craft (established in 1929), which offers 8-week sessions in a variety of creative arts.
YANCEY county
We met a fish and wildlife officer at Cane River Park in Burnsville, who was making sure people weren’t catching trout out of season. (American Goldfinch, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, and an Eastern Gray Squirrel hugging his tree branch)
MADISON county
Wild Turkeys were the highlight of our 2.5 mile loop on the Dr. Duck Greenway in Mars Hill.
At the end of Day 2 we hiked another mile at the historic Smith Farm up the side of Bailey Mountain near Mars Hill. The birds were scarce, but the scenery was glorious! Photos include a large tobacco curing barn and cows seeking shade near a creek.
HAYWOOD County
Lake Junaluska is a conference and retreat center for the United Methodist Church and other denominations–and the site is also popular with the greater community. No power boats allowed, so the 2.5 mile walk around the lake was peaceful as well as beautiful. Green Heron, Song Sparrow, Mallard, Mute Swan)
BUNCOMBE County
Even at noon, the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary in Asheville yielded some fine birds. (House Wren, Green Heron)
TRANSYLVANIA County
In Brevard we stayed with Elise & Rick and Carolyn, celebrated our 42nd anniversary, and found the famous white squirrels along the Hike & Bike path on our after-dinner stroll.
JACKSON County
Another white squirrel at Cashiers Lake!
MACON County
The Highlands Biological Station is a unit of Western Carolina University, emphasizing academic research and public education “focused on the rich natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau.” (Eastern Towhee, Eastern Phoebe)
We went to both ends of the Little Tennessee River Greenway—and sweated.
CLAY County
A severe thunderstorm had just finished when we arrived at Chatuge Dam, so the birds were a little water-logged. (Brown Thrasher, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Kingbird, family of Eastern Meadowlarks)
CHEROKEE County
After a nap at the Sunset Motel in Murphy we walked a 2-mile loop near the confluence of the Valley and Hiwassee Rivers before enjoying a late evening Italian dinner. (Carolina Wren, Wood Duck)
The next morning it was seriously raining throughout the region, so we bypassed the last two counties on our itinerary and headed home.
But the trip was a great success, in that we now have only one county left in North Carolina where we have not yet found 30 birds.
And that will be the next adventure!
My.Bird.Walks. 
Hi Mary! this was a great trip with beautiful images on the road. My favorites pictures are the Lotus flower and all the squirrels which seems to be having a lot of fun this summer. 🙂
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