A nice morning spent walking the trails at Owen Park, looking for as many species of sparrow as we can find, followed up by an afternoon of duck-watching at Lake Julian. The trails and roads we walk will be flat but they could be muddy, so we recommend good hiking boots.

Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa is a must-stops for any birder visiting the WNC region. This park features two lakes bordered by the Swannanoa River and 1-mile 'figure-eight' path around the lakes, providing excellent habitat for a mix of transient and overwintering species. We are likely to find a good mix of lingering winter sparrows including White-throated, Swamp and White-crowned Sparrows, as well as some early arriving migrants.

After lunch, we’ll head to Lake Julian, a fantastic place for waterfowl in late winter. In addition to the expected Canada Geese and Mallards, there are also resident Egyptian Geese here. We could also see overwintering species such as Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, and more

This tour features some of the best late-winter birding that WNC has to offer - join us for what should be an excellent day!