Bird Watching at New River Gorge National Park

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are under the observation of the National Park Service, entrusted with the job of protecting and maintaining the river by the same name. The 72,808 acres are in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. It covers the Fayette, Summers, and Raleigh counties.

Major Attractions at New River Gorge National Park

The New River Gorge National Park has so much for its visitors, starting from birding to hiking, climbing, biking, and whitewater rafting. Visitors also get the opportunity to learn about the history of the park and some of its sites.

There are many designated campsites so you can bring your camping equipment without any worry. For hiking trails, there are about 100 miles of them. These are Grandview Area trail, Glade Creek Area trail, Sandstone Brooks Area trail,
Nuttallburg trail. While hiking, you might engage in birdwatching and other enjoyable activities. Lots of people go rafting on the whitewater, another exciting activity.

Surprisingly, people love fishing on the new river gorge under the sun. Hunting is also permitted in most parts of the park. We can not forget about the scenic drive routes in the park.

If you are into rock climbing, the New River Gorge National Park is probably already on your list. The park has about 1600 routes for climbing, making it one of the most popular places for the activity. There is also the African American auto heritage tour for those who would like to learn about the history of the place.

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Bird Watching at New River Gorge National Park

There have been 365 species of birds have been observed in West Virginia. If we keep count of the ones that show up in the New River Gorge National Park, there appear to be too many. Thrushes, Vireos, Wood-warblers, etc. usually spend their life in the tropics. Breeding season, they come to the scattered forests surrounding the New River Gorge. For the
north-south migratory birds, this area serves as an important link.

When it is time for fall migration, thousands of Hawks can be seen flying overhead. Close to the cliffs, Peregrine Falcons can be seen doing deep dives. Many kinds of bird species use the New River Gorge National Park while migrating. Some stop over while others continue to fly straight ahead. It is a reliable nesting and shelter site for many.

As wood-warblers are facing a loss of habitat in the sites they used as winter and even summer nesting sites, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of the few protected places in the world they can rely on.

10 Birds to See at New River Gorge National Park

Cerulean Warbler

Cerulean Warblers are sky-blue with blue streaks down their sides. They live in eastern North America. Cerulean Warblers have seen a large decrease in population and are threatened; they are possibly near being endangered. These birds tend to make their homes at the top of the canopy of oak and hickory trees. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and make their nests high up in trees away from the trunk. These Warblers migrate south in the early fall.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are black and white with a bright red chest and thick bill. You can find them throughout eastern North America. Their population is currently stable and have no risk of endangerment. They make a happy song with sweet whistles. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make their homes in orchards and groves and enjoy wintering in the tropics. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks eat insects, seeds, and berries. They migrate at night late in the spring and early in the fall.

Indigo Bunting

Indigo Buntings cannot be missed with their all-blue body. They live in the eastern United States. Their population is steady and in some areas, they are the most abundant songbirds. They make their homes in brushy pastures or wood edges. Indigo Buntings are sometimes called the blue canary, because of their cheerful songs. They will sing all day while looking for food. They lay 3 to 4 eggs and build their nests low to the ground. Indigo Buntings migrate south at night.

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers have bright, beautiful red colors with black wings and tails. They have thick bills that allow them to easily catch insects and eat fruit. Scarlet Tanagers live in eastern North America. They are not on the endangered list but have seen losses in numbers. These birds make their habitat in forests and shade trees. They lay 2 to 5 eggs and build their nests 20 to 30 feet high in trees. Scarlet Tanagers migrate at night in the springtime.

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers are a beautiful black color with white stripes down their neck and a bright red crest. You can find them in the eastern region of North America. Their population is stable after a slight decrease prior to 1900. Pileated Woodpeckers like to drum on old logs or near the base of a tree. They like to dig rectangular holes in trees while trying to find ants to eat. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and make their nests in dead trees or utility poles. Pileated Woodpeckers are permanent residents.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Herons are tall with gray-blue wings. They are slow-moving birds and weigh about 6 pounds. You can find these birds all across the United States. Their population has stabilized since some small declines. They live near riverbanks, ponds, and edges of marshes. They hunt for food morning and night because they have night vision. Great Blue Herons eat fish mostly but will also eat other small animals like frogs. They build their nests high or low in trees. Great Blue Herons use big sticks to make large platform nests. They lay 3 to 5 eggs. Northern populations east of the Rockies are migratory, but most other Great Blue Herons are not migratory.

Barred Owl

Barred Owls are brown and white striped with brown eyes. They live throughout the southeast U.S. Their population has recently increased after a decline. Their habitat is in wooded swamps and woodlands. Barred Owls make the traditional “hoot” sound and are most active at night. They eat small mammals, flying squirrels, rabbits, and opossums. Barred Owls lay 2 to 3 eggs in the hollow part of a tree. They do not migrate.

Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures are all black and brown birds with bright redheads. You can find them throughout North America. They have a stable population with no risk of endangerment. Their homes are in open country and woods. Turkey Vultures have a great sense of smell for fresh carcasses. Because of this, they can be found along highways or in the open countryside. When Turkey Vultures are in flight, their wings raise to form a V. They lay 2 eggs and do not build
nests. Their nest area can be under rocks, in hollow logs, or on old buildings. Some Turkey Vultures migrate to South America.

Barn Owl

Barn Owls have a white face, chest, and belly. These birds live along the coasts and in the southern region of North America. Their population experienced a decline, but their numbers are increasing and becoming stable. They make their homes in barns, farms, and woodlands. Barn Owls are nocturnal and have good night vision. They feed mostly on small rodents and mammals. Barn Owls have an eerie call, unlike most Owls. They lay 3 to 8 eggs and build their nests in hollow trees, caves, church steeples, and barn lofts. They migrate south in the fall.

Osprey

Ospreys are brown on top with white underneath. You can find Ospreys throughout North America. Their population was endangered, due to pesticides, but since being banned, the Osprey population has recovered. They make their homes near rivers and lakes. They dive into the water to catch live fish. Ospreys lay about 3 eggs and build stick nests high up on telephone poles and other nest platforms. They migrate along coastlines and lake shores; however, the Ospreys found in Florida are permanent residents.

Final Thoughts

As the New River Gorge National Park is a park and preserve, birdwatching is encouraged to maintain and sustain sympathy for the species. It is also expected that the visitors would be respectful towards the birds and observe them from an appropriate distance without startling or hurting them. We would suggest getting some birding gears so you can observe them from afar.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at New River Gorge National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.