Pond Mountain, Ashe County, NC

Boone, NC, USA

VB
Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
98 reviews
Jan 4, 2025
Group size: 3 - 10
Pond Mountain, Ashe County, NC
Boone, NC, USA

Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
98 reviews

Jan 4, 2025
Group size: 3 - 10

About this trip

Our day will begin exploring the lower elevation of Pond Mountain for any wintering species among northern hardwoods and early successional habitat. We will then make our way up the ridge eventually topping out at nearly 5,000 feet, surrounded by a spectacular vista in open field and early successional habitat. If the weather remains nice around noon we will have our picnic lunches on top of the ridge. If the weather is poor we will seek shelter at a lower elevation for lunch. 

Pond Mountain Game Land is located in the northwestern corner of North Carolina and makes the state line border with Virginia and Tennessee. As well as the regular wintering birds, such as Ruffed Grouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Hermit Thrush, and Pine Siskin, we will be looking for wintering raptors, such as Northern Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl and maybe, Golden Eagle. 

What’s included

  • 1 birding guide

What’s not included

  • lunch
  • transportation

Available Packages

Trip Price
Available until January 3, 2025
$60

Your Organizer


VB
Ventures Birding Tours
98 reviews
Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

Reviews

This was a great trip and we saw some amazing birds, especially large flocks coming in to settle for the night and dozens of birds (red winged and brewers black birds) seemingly popping out of the fields that had been harvested. The days were long, leaving early (6-6:30 am), returning to hotel for the night (7-8pm), lots of time in the van to cover the distances, changing hotels every other night and dealing with dicey weather was somewhat tiring. Not much downtime except during drives and we were birding from the van even then! As a friend said to me, this was an experience not a vacation!! Our fellow birdiers, only 4 ofus on the trip, were terrific, very sharing of their much better birding knowledge. Mike, our leader was tireless, handling all the driving, posting ebird lists, managing logistics for lunches and dinners, always upbeat. Would consider another Ventures trip, but would look for a bit more flexibility in use of time with options for downtime.
By carol s for Kansas: Open Country Specialties 2024 on Nov 16, 2024
What a wonderful birding trip. Our guide Mike Werndly was knowledgeable, experienced and a great guy to hang out with. Although the pace is easy, the days are long. I plan to take other birding trips with Ventures.
By Cynthia S for Kansas: Open Country Specialties 2024 on Nov 13, 2024
Great weather, lots of warblers and grosbeaks. Clifton helped us ID and see the birds. Also enjoyed hawk watching from tower on Mt. Mitchell.
By Barbara R for Ridge Junction 4 on Sep 24, 2024
One of the best trips to date. Spectacular scenery, 13 life birds, close to 170 species total, congenital group, very competent guides. My favorite bids were the Willow and Rock Ptarmigan and the spectacular Steller’s Sea Eagle. I will never forget seeing this stunning bird.
By Alan L for Newfoundland '24 - Puffins, Boreal Birds, & Spectacular Scenery on Sep 16, 2024
This was an exploration for all of us. We had excellent guides and saw many lifers. I have to say I got tired of white rice but at least there was usually tofu (I'm a vegetarian). Leeches in the forest - need more rest stops for ladies!!!!
By Barbara R for Sumatra - Padang on Aug 14, 2024
Show More Reviews