Quick Details
COVID compliance: Guests drive a personal vehicle to the meeting location and to the hiking trails, safely following the guide’s vehicle and practicing social distancing throughout the tour. Guests bring their own waters and lunch.
Tour time:
Meet your guide at 8:00 am, guests bring waters and snacks, event ends around 12:00 or 1:00.
Rain date:
Friday, May 7th, 8 am
Meeting location:
Folk Art Center at 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805
Difficulty:
Easy forest walks with driving between destinations. Expect trails with some moderate inclines and uneven terrain.
Required footwear:
Sturdy tennis shoes or hiking boots, rubber outsoles (recommended)
Recommended clothing:
Definitely wear multiple layers, including a jacket, to prepare for temperatures to drop at higher elevations; Bring rainwear, or ponchos provided
Recommended personal items:
Binoculars (3 pairs available to borrow), water, food, Ziploc bag or dry bag (to protect items, such as small electronics, from rain), Ziploc bag (to dispose of any potential litter items, such as food wrappers), cloth face covering (for restrooms stops)
About binoculars:
8X40 binoculars recommended, but 10X40 (more powerful) binoculars suitable for more experienced birders. There will be 3 pairs of sanitized binoculars to borrow.
What’s provided:
Hiking poles, poncho in case of light rain, and a great time!
Spring Birding with Bill Sanderson
About
Enjoy a leisurely spring birding excursion with zoologist and birding expert Bill Sanderson.
In early May, the “migration floodgates are opening!” Expect warblers, thrushes, orioles, tanagers and other “long distance” species which are staying in the mountains to breed, or passing through. Besides the common spring migrants, we will seek and discuss the common year-round species. Rain date is Friday, May 7th.
Bill has been teaching Western North Carolina zoology for over 30 years. His stories and experiences from the field are wildly entertaining and educational!
Logistics:
After meeting at the Folk Art Center, we will visit varying sites North of Asheville.
Rain policy: Our early morning departure helps us avoid the afternoon rains. Nonetheless, many guests have an excellent time in the light rain, under the forest canopy (and rain makes waterfalls even better!) In case of heavy rain or inclement weather, full refunds are provided.