Flock to Rock 2026
Flock to the Rock will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026. 10 am to 3 pm. Park admission is required. Go to the website for details.
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. 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.
Home to the World’s Fastest Bird of Prey
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 Hickory Nut Gorge. Peregrine Falcons (Falco Peregrinus) may slice through the air at more than 60 mph or dive on smaller birds in flight at speeds up to 200 mph.
By the early 1960s, no Peregrines were found in this area, but these magnificent birds have made a comeback thanks to captive breeding programs. Since 1990 when three of these young birds fledged in the Park, Peregrines have been sighted here almost every year.
For more about the Park, see our Chimney Rock Guide or go to the Chimney Rock website.
