September 29-30, 2012
Chimney Rock hosts the region’s premier fall migration birding event, Flock to the Rock, led by Simon Thompson, a world-traveled birding expert. Flock to the Rock bird watching weekend features bird walks guided by local experts, workshops ranging from bird photography to hummingbirds, hawk watches, and family nature walks. There is no additional cost with paid Park admission.
“Chimney Rock is one of the most spectacular locations in Western North Carolina to spot a wide range of birds throughout the year, from countless warblers and vireos to tanagers and birds of prey. Flock to the Rock is held during the peak of fall migration and draws enthusiastic birders of all levels to the Park,” said Simon Thompson, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Asheville and Ventures Birding Tours.
From its winding riverbanks to its dramatic cliffs, Chimney Rock is a haven for North Carolina resident birds, migrating birds and, of course, bird lovers. From beginner to experienced, people flock to the Rock to catch glimpses of their favorite birds. Chimney Rock is home to more than 130 species of birds throughout the year, including over 25 warblers, vireos, tanagers, woodpeckers, thrushes, owls and a wide selection of birds of prey, including the Peregrine Falcon. It's an official stop on the NC Birding Trail.
The Balsam Mountain Trust’s Birds of Prey program presents a variety of live, mostly native, diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey with a focus on their ecology, natural and cultural history. Guests can expect to see live birds ranging from North America’s smallest falcon to a mature Bald Eagle and will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of raptors. If conditions are right, some lucky members of the audience will be able to help fly Zeus, a Harris’ Hawk. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
While at Chimney Rock, train your binoculars along the Park’s soaring cliffs and up into the surrounding sky for a chance to see the amazing acrobatics of a Peregrine Falcon high above the Hickory Nut Gorge. Slicing through the air at more than 60mph or swooping on smaller birds in flight at incredible diving speeds up to 200mph, Peregrine Falcons (Falco Peregrinus) once again grace the skies in the Western North Carolina mountains! By the early 1960s, no Peregrines were found in the area, but these magnificent birds have made a comeback thanks to captive-breeding programs. In 1990, three of these young birds fledged from the high, nearly-inaccessible cliffs of Chimney Rock, and since then Peregrines have been sighted in the area almost every year. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that a pair of mating adults hatched two fledgling Peregrine Falcons that live within the Park.
