Transylvania County Hotspots

Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA

VB
Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
98 reviews
Jan 17, 2025
Group size: 3 - 10
Transylvania County Hotspots
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA

Ventures Birding Tours
  • Email address verified
98 reviews

Jan 17, 2025
Group size: 3 - 10

About this trip

Today we will explore some of the best lower elevation birding spots in Transylvania County with Michael, one of the local bird experts. We will start in the lower elevations during the morning hours, we when we will look for open-country species, such as Eastern Meadowlark, Rusty Blackbird and a large selection of wintering sparrows, such as Savannah, Song, Swamp, Field and Fox. We will also hit as many patches of open water as possible looking for wintering waterfowl.  Some, like Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser, will be common, but we could find Common Merganser, Ruddy and Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal and many others. 

Depending on the winter, we could also see some finches, such as Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and if we are very lucky, Evening Grosbeak. We are also likely to see Common Raven, Brown Creeper, Dark-eyed Junco, Winter Wren, and Red-breasted Nuthatch as they descend to lower elevations at this time of the year. 

The itinerary for the day will depend of the weather and what birds are being seen in the local area: our itinerary is unknown, as are the birds that will be around – but that’s just part of the fun!

What’s included

  • 1 birding guide

What’s not included

  • lunch
  • transportation

Available Packages

Trip Price
Available until January 16, 2025
$60

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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
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