Because of the wide range in topography and climate, the Western North Carolina Mountains draw birders from all around the United States. Depending on the time of year, there are many popular and rare species you can expect to see. As avid birders ourselves, we very much enjoy the wide variety of feathered visitors we get in our own backyard. The sights, sounds and experience of birding here is enough to make a person want to stick around!
If you are curious to learn more, you’re in the right place. We’re going to be sharing details about types of birds you can expect to see here, top birding locations to view them and a few more essential WNC Mountain birding details.
Birds Native to WNC
Although we have a variety of bird species that we see come through each year during migrations, there are also many (470 to be specific) that call the Western North Carolina Mountains home. Some that you are very likely to spot year-round include:
- Goldfinch & House Finch
- Mockingbird
- Northern Cardinal (our state bird)
- Indigo Bunting
- Tufted Titmouse
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker
- Red-winged Blackbird
Then, there are the rare and migratory birds. One of the unique ways we keep track of those sightings is through two annual birding events: the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count. To do specific inquiries on the count and species of what was found this year as well as previous years, visit their bird count results page:
Best Birding Locations
When we’re not at home spotting birds off the back porch, we love to frequent some of the top local National Parks and preserves for more birding adventures. Many of these spots are just a quick drive from our quiet community at Green Mountain Farm. A few we highly recommend include:
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Airlie Gardens (Osprey, Tricolored Heron, Black Skimmer, Snowy Egret and 200+ more)
- Craggy Gardens (Variety of Warblers, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Winter Wren, Veery and Hermit Thrush)
- North Carolina Birding Trail
- Grandfather Mountain (200+ species)
These are just a few; to list them all would take months! If you are curious about seasonal sightings and more specific tracking information, we encourage you to “Like” and follow Audubon North Carolina on Facebook. Also, for the younger bird enthusiasts, the NC Arboretum offers several birding challenges and educational opportunities in their EcoExplore program.
Birding at Green Mountain Farm
There’s no shortage of beautiful, rare bird sightings right here in our own backyard. They are woven into the sights and sounds that make Green Mountain Farm feel like paradise. Feel free to peruse our Sights and Sounds Gallery to hear a small selection of the tranquil, natural soundtrack that surrounds us. You might even recognize a few of the “voices” featured in some of the audio clips.
Residents and guests of Green Mountain Farm are privileged to be able to bird along the whole 333-acre quiet community. It’s possible to catch a glimpse of a Yellow-throated Warbler, Cliff Swallow, Warbling Vireo, Baltimore Oriole, or Wilson’s Snipe along our private stream. Also, we are currently working directly with the North Carolina Audubon to implement a land management plan that will create a habitat specifically for enticing more Golden-Winged Warblers.
Asheville Mountain Community
Green Mountain Farm is a beautiful, private gated community where you can enjoy a peaceful and nature-filled lifestyle. Contact us to learn more.