Mills River Hotspot Birding
Henderson County, NC
February 12, 2025
Register by clicking the ‘book now’ button above, or by contacting the Ventures office. We accept credit cards for an additional fee (2.9% for MC, Visa, Discover; 3.9% for AmEx), but you may also pay by bank transfer, cash, check, or money order. This Venture is limited to 10 participants.
Departure: We will meet at 8:00AM at the South end of Mills River Park. This will be the first paved parking lot on the right, as you enter the park from Highway 191 (Main entrance). Price: $60 per person
From Sparrows to over-wintering Raptors, we’ll explore our winter residents of Mills River with a relaxed easy pace. We’ll check out as much as we can during our day and hit some of the best hotspots. There will be a fair bit of walking, so wear comfortable footwear and bring suitable clothing, snacks, lunch and water.
Located close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mills River is a one of the best areas to bird in Henderson County. February birding can provide its fair share of species including wintering Sparrows, Raptors, Blackbirds, Hermit Thrushes, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and even Eurasian Collared-Doves!
After our initial meet-up, we will head to Kings Bridge Wildlife Conservation Area, our first Hotspot. Conserving Carolina has just completed a restoration project at this site, featuring a fish habitat slough, 35 acres of wetlands, and 50 acres of reforestation along the French Broad River. In winter, the habitat is excellent for sparrows, blackbirds, and raptors. Next, we’ll bird the sod farm along Hooper Lane looking for meadowlarks and pipits, along with more sparrows and raptors. We’ll end the morning back at Mills River Park with key targets including White-crowned Sparrows and Eurasian Collared-Doves.
Join us for an enjoyable day exploring Mills River in Western North Carolina!