A relaxed day of birding from roadsides, gravel roads and overlooks with a minimal amount of walking. Weather at the higher elevations can be unpredictable – rain gear and a light jacket are recommended as are good walking shoes. Bring plenty of snacks/water and be sure to pack a lunch.

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia into North Carolina, skirts the southern end of the Black Mountains, then weaves through the Craggies, the Pisgahs and the Balsams before ending in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We will head south and visit various locations along the Blue Ridge, looking for the start of migrating songbirds, particularly those hard-to-identify fall-plumaged Warblers.

We will stop at Mills River Valley Overlook and go on an easy hike which will bring us into an open area which is known for the beautiful Turk’s Cap Lillies, Goldenrods, Leather Flowers and Interrupted Ferns. This open area often provides good looks at some of those hidden woodland songbirds. Afterwards, we will head towards the Mt. Pisgah area, making some more stops along the way. Returning to Mills River Overlook, we will wrap up our trip looking for some early Hawk Migration.