CBC Spring Meeting at Fletcher, North Carolina—April 25–27, 2025
By Paul Laurent
Our Spring Meeting will be in Fletcher NC, just outside of Asheville in western North Carolina. I'm sure everyone is excited to see what birding is like in the mountains after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, and to do our small part to help the struggling economy up there. We will be in the peak of spring migration, and will be looking for tons of warblers in their stunning breeding plumage.
This meeting will be in a slightly different format, with most trips on Saturday and Sunday morning. There will be a few trips on Friday for the early arrivals. We are experimenting to see if this works for more members -especially those who are working on Friday.
Our trip schedule may be affected by layoffs and inaccessibility to certain locations due to changes within the Federal Government (i.e. the National Park Service), as well as unrepaired storm damage. Currently, several of the parks we are planning to visit as well as chunks of the Blue Ridge Parkway are still closed to the public. We think many of these will be open by April, and others we can get special permission to visit, but we can't know for sure yet. This means we won't have trip sign-ups as part of registration for this meeting. We will send out the final trip list a week before the meeting, and you can sign up for trips when you arrive at the hotel in Fletcher.
We know some folks will be arriving later than others, so we will not be capping the number of trip participants. Instead, we will have additional trip leaders that will be able to go wherever the most interest is, and we will run multiple trips to popular locations if needed. The key word for this meeting is FLEXIBILITY! We know this is a big change from previous meetings, but due to the extenuating circumstances in western NC this is the only way we will still be able to have our Spring Meeting in the amazing mountains of North Carolina. Also, a social is planned later in the day Saturday, ahead of our evening program at the host hotel.
Host Hotel: Clarion Inn Asheville Airport, Fletcher, located at 550 Airport Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732. Reservations can be made online at https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/AV84O2. You can also call (828) 483-4260 to reserve your room.
Room rates are $94 per night for single or double occupancy. Be sure to mention you are with the CBC when making reservations. All rooms have a hair dryer and coffeemaker. There is a free breakfast included in the reservation.
Due to the unusual circumstances, we are going to have a slightly different registration for this meeting. Online Registration opens Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 pm, and will end on April 18th at noon. Registration may be extended if we have sufficient early registrants but is not guaranteed. April 11th at noon is the last day for refunds if you have to cancel attendance. Also, very important—If you have to cancel, please do so online, or else notify the Headquarters Secretary by sending an email to Headquarters Secretary Please reserve your room and thank them for their hospitality. CBC greatly appreciates your use of the host hotel. The rate is exceptional, and you actually save CBC costs by staying with us. The following is a list of the tours that we hope we will have, and an updated list will be sent out shortly before he meeting. The hope is that all or at least most of these trips will happen as described.
Half-Day Trips
Blue Ridge Parkway North to Craggy Gardens
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through beautiful mountains and is home to a remarkable variety of birds. This trip will take the Parkway north from the hotel to the Tanbark Tunnel. This area is known for Cerulean Warblers, as well as Blackburnian Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers, as well as Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and more! From here we continue north to the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, which is a good spot to look for Canada Warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ovenbirds, and Winter Wrens. We will be keeping an eye out for Common Ravens flying overhead.
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Tanbark Ridge Tunnel (North End)
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Bearpen Gap
Approximate Travel Time—40 minutes to first stop. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: EASY—We will be walking along the side of the Parkway, so most of the terrain will be flat, and we won't be walking more than a few hundred yards at any of our stops. There are restroom facilities at the Craggy Garden Picnic Area.
Hooper Lane / Mills River Park
The sod farms along Hooper Lane are famous for attracting a wide variety of shorebirds during migration, including the potential for some very rare visitors! The trip will search the fields for shorebirds and sparrows before checking the fields of Mills River Park and the trees along Mills River for migrating warblers as well as meadow species.
eBird hotspot information—Hooper Lane
eBird hotspot information—Mills River Park
Approximate Travel Time—10 minutes. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: EASY—Hooper Lane and Mills River Park are very flat, and we will be on grass or paved paths the entire time. Restrooms are available at Mills River Park.
Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
Beaver Lake is a wonderful conservation success story. The Blue Ridge Audubon Society helped prevent yet another shopping center being constructed on top of the wetlands that drain into Beaver Lake. Years of wetland restoration and a very nice trail system make this one of the top birding spots in the area. Virtually any migratory bird has a decent chance of being spotted at Beaver Lake in the spring, including a wide variety of warblers as well as waterfowl.
eBird hotspot information—Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
Approximate Travel Time—25 minutes. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: EASY—The trails around Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary are flat and well maintained. Restrooms are available at nearby gas stations if needed.
Margie Huggins' Private Land
This 16-acre property was once a hay field, but Margie has been working to transform it into a natural habitat. This is a great spot for migrating songbirds, with a river, meadows, and forested bottomland habitat. If you have land you'd like to restore to native habitat this is a fantastic place to get inspiration and ideas!
Approximate Travel Time—30 minutes. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: EASY—There are well maintained, mowed paths throughout the property. There is a small hill. Restrooms are available at Margie's house.
Charles D. Owen Park
This park is always a great spot for birding. The lakes attract waterfowl, and the bottomland forests along the Swannanoa River are great for migrating warblers. The farm fields draw a wide variety of shorebirds, sparrows, and other open land species including American Pipit.
eBird hotspot information—Warren Wilson College--Owen Park
Approximate Travel Time—30 minutes. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: MODERATE—This will be a several mile walk. The trails around the park and farm are generally flat, but there are a couple of places that are steep and have tricky footing. Restrooms are available at the park.
Davidson River
This trip follows the Davidson River, with several great trails and lots of migratory birds as well as summer residents. We will be looking for warblers, as well as vireos, woodpeckers and much more.
eBird hotspot information—Pisgah NF--Davidson River Campground
eBird hotspot information—Pisgah NF--Coontree Picnic Area
Approximate Travel Time—25 minutes to first stop. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: MODERATE—There will be 3 to 4 miles of walking. The trails are relatively easy, but there will be changes in elevation and occasional rough footing. Restrooms are available at the campground at the start of the trip. There will be abundant 'facilitrees' for the remainder of the trip.
Full Day Trips
Max Patch Golden-winged Warblers
This trip heads west to the Tennessee border in search of Golden-winged Warblers. There are several places along the road to Max Patch that are reliable spots for this rare and elusive bird, along with lots of other species. Max Patch itself is a wonderful example of an Appalachian Bald, with spectacular views as well as spectacular birds. Look for a wide variety of warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and much more!
eBird hotspot information—Max Patch Rd.
eBird hotspot information—Pisgah NF--Max Patch Mountain
Approximate Travel Time—45 minutes to first stop. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Blue Ridge Parkway North to Mt Mitchell
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through beautiful mountains and is home to a remarkable variety of birds. This trip will take the BRP north from the hotel to the Tanbark Tunnel. This area is known for Cerulean Warblers, as well as Blackburnian Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers, Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers, as well as Scarlet Tanagers, Indigo Buntings, and more! From here we continue north to the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, which is a good spot to look for Canada Warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ovenbirds, and more. We will be keeping an eye out for Common Ravens flying overhead. The full day trip continues on to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Look for high altitude species like Winter Wren as well as a spectacular view!
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Tanbark Ridge Tunnel (North End)
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Bearpen Gap
eBird hotspot information—Mount Mitchell SP--Summit Area
Approximate Travel Time—40 minutes to first stop. Google Maps directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: MODERATE—While the walking will be along the BRP and be mostly flat, the high altitude at Mount Mitchell (6682 feet above sea level) can make even an easy walk more difficult. Restrooms are available at the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and at the top of Mount Mitchell.
Blue Ridge Parkway South to Black Balsam
Black Balsam is the last place in North Carolina to find Black-capped Chickadees (and have eBird believe you)! This trip travels south along the BRP, stopping at overlooks along the way for migrating and breeding warblers, thrushes, grosbeaks, buntings, and more. At Black Balsam we will hike in the Sam's Knob area. This area can be great for Ruffed Grouse, Least Flycatcher, Black-capped Chickadee, and maybe even an early Alder Flycatcher. We will also check the Devil's Courthouse trail for Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Canada Warbler, and in some years Peregrine Falcons nest here.
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Bent Creek to Mt. Pisgah
eBird hotspot information—Blue Ridge Pkwy--Devil's Courthouse
eBird hotspot information—Pisgah NF--Black Balsam Knob
Approximate Travel Time—1 hour
Conditions: MODERATE—While the walking will be along the BRP and be mostly flat, the Devil's Courthouse trail is steep. It is only about a quarter mile long, but at high altitude it can be a bit challenging. You can easily choose to walk some or all of the trail. Restrooms are available at the Sam's Knob area, and at Mount Pisgah.
Green River Game Lands
Green River Cove Road winds down a lovely ravine with lots of warblers. The lower elevation makes this a good spot for Swainson's Warblers, and we will stop several times along the road to look and listen... We will explore a trail that leads through several succession habitats and a meadow that often has Yellow-breasted Chats and Prairie Warblers, as well as a variety of sparrows and other open-land species. There is a lake and swamp at the bottom of the road that can produce Prothonotary Warblers as well as shorebirds and waterfowl. We will stop by The Park at Flat Rock to look for the pair of Virginia Rails that have been there for the last several years.
eBird hotspot information—Green River Cove--Fishtop Access
eBird hotspot information—Green River Game Land--Green River Cove Rd.
eBird hotspot information—Lake Adger--Boat Ramp
Approximate Travel Time—30 minutes. Google Map directions from the Clarion Inn
Conditions: EASY to MODERATE—Stops along Green River Cove Road will not involve a lot of walking. The trail into the Game Lands is relatively flat, and is a couple miles long. There are restrooms at a gas station at the top of Green River Cove Road, once we start, there are a wide selection of 'facilitrees' you can avail yourself to.