Adult Field Course: The Birds of Grandfather Mountain: The Wonders of Migration

Grandfather Mountain is an amazing diversity hotspot for breeding birds in the southern Appalachians with more than 120 species detected during the nesting season. But those numbers go up even more during spring and fall migration. Its position along the escarpment and the quality, diversity, and extent of forests and other habitats nearby make it a magnet for migrant species of all types. From warblers to hawks to hummingbirds, migration is a wondrous period of the year for birders and nature enthusiasts alike.

This course provides the opportunity to visit several locations on the mountain to learn about the diversity of migrants, the timing and mechanics of migration, and hopefully see dozens of species using Grandfather as a staging area on their long flights to Central and South America. Our classroom program will take a deeper dive into the science of migration and some of the technology unlocking the secrets of bird movement.

Steve Dowlan is a retired natural resource specialist, formerly with the U.S. Forest Service in northwest Pennsylvania and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. He was the editor of Oregon Birds and the Journal of Oregon Field Ornithology in the 2000s. As a natural resource specialist for the BLM, he conducted surveys and monitored known sites for northern spotted owls, assisted with graduate research projects on harlequin ducks, operated a MAPS banding station in the Old Cascades near Estacada, conducted a study on fox sparrow subspecies in Oregon and assisted with training sessions for federal and state biologists who conducted standardized bird point counts in the Pacific Northwest. He has been a N.C. High Country resident since 2016 and is currently working on an independent study on common mergansers on the Watauga River.

Program Itinerary

8:15 a.m. – Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Introductions

8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Birding at a variety of locations on the mountain

12 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch break

12:30 – 2 p.m. – Classroom presentation

Tickets

This event costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax.

Registration opens on this page on July 20 at 10 a.m. Limited to 15 participants.

What’s included?

Your program cost includes admission into the park, field instruction and transportation during your program (you may drive your own vehicle to visit sites on the mountain if you would prefer). It does not include meals or lodging. Bringing a bagged lunch is recommended for this field course, although Mildred’s Grill will be open to attendees.

Tips are not accepted for field courses. However, donations to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are accepted if you would like to recognize a program.

General Clothing List

Much of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain or shine. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment a...