Birdwatching

Yep, we’ve got birds, loads of ’em…  

West Virginia’s rugged, mountainous, and heavily forested terrain may have slowed our economic development some, but it has been a boon for our bird populations!  The Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology has identified Southern West Virginia’s mixed mesophytic forests as crucial stopover and breeding habitat for a large variety of species.

The calm, quiet nature of bird watching makes it a perfect complement to the intense physicality of the many outdoor adventure activities available in this area.  Bring along your binoculars and your field guide, ear mark some time for birding and get to know our area on a more intimate level.  You will be sure to appreciate the diversity of species.

Keep your eyes peeled for the undulating flight of our local favorite, the Pileated Woodpecker.  Owls and hawks abound, as well as other neo-tropical migrants including the Scarlet Tanager, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Blue-headed Vireo. Twenty-four species of warblers alone nest here!

If you want to flock together with other birders and have lots of fun and good food, you might want to consider checking out the New River Birding Festival, the first week in May (www.birding-wv.com)

Welcome to Water Stone Outdoors
Providing quality gear and friendly advice to rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts in the New River Gorge of West Virginia since 1994. We are here for your needs to make your outdoor experience the best possible!