May 20. As migratory birds return to the slopes and valleys of western North Carolina this spring and summer, conservation leaders are encouraging birders to return with them.

Across the region, communities are eager to spring back in the wake of Hurricane Helene. By returning to enjoy migration hotspots, birders can help bolster local economies while also gathering data on the storm’s impact for birds.

Eastern Bluebird

“Birders can do their part by doing what we do best, getting outside and enjoying birds,” said Curtis Smalling, executive director of Audubon North Carolina. “Many of the most popular birding destinations remain open and accessible.”

Communities have seen sharp drops in visitors since last fall. As an example, attendance at Grandfather Mountain was down by nearly half in the first quarter of 2025, according to Jesse Pope, president and CEO of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Visitation is starting to tick up this spring, and Pope and others are encouraging more people to return.

“Quite honestly, our community needs people to come back,” Pope said. “Eat in the restaurants, stay in the hotels and the bed and breakfasts. That’s how we bounce back, having that economic support.”

Yellow Warbler

Many of the places most beloved by birdwatchers are still accessible, from Valle Crucis Community Park outside of Boone to Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary in Asheville. Birders can help by getting outside and tallying the birds they see during migration and nesting season.

“Figuring out exactly how the storm has impacted bird populations will be an ongoing effort, and everyone can help chip in by recording bird sightings at eBird.org, starting right now,” Smalling said.

Hurricane Helene dramatically altered the landscape for broad swaths of the mountains. The changes will have immediate and long-lasting impacts for birds, both good and bad.

For species that depend on scrubby, re-growing forest habitat—including Golden-winged Warblers and a variety of sparrow species, to name a few—new habitat will bring opportunities in time to breed and nest.

American Goldfinch

But birds that thrive in interior forest and old growth trees may face more difficulties. Birders can help provide the data to sort through the outcomes.

Status of popular birding sites:

High Country

• Middle Fork Greenway and Valle Crucis Community Park are open.
• The town of Blowing Rock sustained very little damage and areas around it are open and accessible, including Bass Lake.
• Boone Greenway is open.
• Julian Price Memorial Park and Price Lake trial is open.  Campground is closed.
• Grandfather Mountain is open except for the Profile Trail.
• Green Valley Park is open.
• New River State Park is partially open.

The Blue Ridge Parkway sustained damage throughout parts of western NC. Some areas are open, others remain closed. Below is a summary of the status of birding hotspots. For the latest information, visit the parkway’s website.

• The Beacon Heights overlook is accessible but the parkway is mostly closed southward to Mount Mitchell.
• Near Asheville, the parkway is closed from the Folk Art Center northward to Tanbark Ridge, Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell areas. The Tanbark Ridge Area (Rattlesnake Lodge Trail and sections of the Mountains-to-Sea trail) can be accessed from a trailhead on Ox Creek Road.
  

  Tree Swallow

Asheville area

• Owen Park in Swannanoa and Warren Wilson College farm fields remain closed due to flood damage.
• Mount Mitchell State Park is closed.
• Lake James, Biltmore Estate, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, Lake Junaluska and Lake Julian Park are open and accessible.
• Green River Road in Polk and Henderson Counties is partially open. It is inaccessible from I-26 but the portion from Silver Creek Baptist Church to Fishtop Access is open.
• The area around Lake Lure including US64 and US74 around Bat Cave are still closed.
• Curtis Creek Road from Old Fort up to the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed.
• In general, most everything is open north and west of Asheville unless they were along a river or stream.

Transylvania County and areas south and west:

• The following area are open to birding and hiking:
  

  Eastern Wood Pewee

o   Looking Glass Falls

o   Moore Cove Falls

o   Pink Beds Loop Trail

o   Looking Glass Rock Trail

o   Graveyard Fields Loop Trail

o   Johns Rock Trial

For local bird outings, check out the websites of High Country Audubon Society, Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter, and Transylvania County Bird Club.