 |
Question: We love both B&Bs and
birding. Can we combine these two interests?
Answer: You bet! The only hard part is
trying to find when and where to go! Winter is the best time to see bald
eagles, especially along the Mississippi River, while spring and fall
migrations are ideal for many other bird species. All you'll need to bring are
a good set of binoculars, a birder's field guide, and comfortable shoes. Never
tried it? Many innkeepers will be happy to loan you the first two! Here's a
brief sample, listed alphabetically by state:
ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake Cottages, Eureka Springs, AR: Several hundred bald eagles
nest on Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs during the winter months; guided boat
tours offer a close-up view of the eagle nesting sites. Info:
www.beaverlakecottages.com.
Mountain Thyme Bed & Breakfast Inn, Jessieville, AR: Mountain Thyme's
setting in the Ouachita Mountains (north of Hot Springs) is a registered
National Wildlife Backyard Habitat where plants are intentionally placed to
attract birds and butterflies. Info:
www.MountainThyme.com.
ARIZONA
The Azure Gate, Tucson, AZ: With hummingbird, seed, nut & bug, thistle,
and cardinal feeders located on the grounds, hundreds of birds can be seen here
throughout the day. Nearby are such birder hot spots as a Sabino Canyon,
Saguaro National Park, and Mt. Lemmon. Info:
www.azuregate.com.
Casa Tierra Adobe Bed and Breakfast Inn, Tucson, AZ: One mile from the
visitor's center of Saguaro National Park West, this hacienda-style B&B is home
to quail, whitetail dove, numerous hummingbirds, finches, cardinals, gila
woodpeckers, roadrunners and more. Info:
www.casatierratucson.com.
CALIFORNIA
The Inn at Playa del Rey, Playa del Rey, California: Overlooking a
300-acre bird sanctuary near the beach in Los Angeles, where over 60 species of
West Coast birds live or stop by during seasonal migrations. Until April 30th,
book a View Room for $50 off, Sunday through Thursday. All View Rooms have
fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, and, most importantly, balconies from which to
observe black-shouldered kites, egrets, great blue herons, double-crested
cormorants, peregrine falcons, American kestrels, least terns, and many others.
Info: www.innatplayadelrey.com/.
Inn at Shallow Creek Farm, Orland, CA: Near the Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge Complex in the heart of the Pacific Flyway and California's
Sacramento River Valley, this B&B offers a secluded farm setting convenient to
I-5. Innkeepers Mary and Kurt Glaesemans are avid birders and can direct guests
to prime birding sites around the area. Refer to this offer and get a 50%
discount on the second night of a two-night stay (must be consecutive nights).
Info:
www.bedandbreakfast.com/property/ppf/id/214482/index.aspx.
COLORADO
Log Cabin Bed and Breakfast, Cedaredge, CO: Spring in Western Colorado
signals the northward migration of thousands of sandhill cranes on their way to
Canada through nearby Hart's Basin. Birdwatchers gather after sunrise each
morning from early-March to mid-April, when the cranes take flight. Crane Days
are celebrated the last two weeks in March and include special events. Info:
www.logcabinbedandbreakfast.com.
CONNECTICUT
Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, CA: Birdwatching guests can select from a
number of offerings, including a private two-hour tour of the Mendocino Coast
Botanical Gardens with an Audubon Society docent ($25 for two). Over 150
species of coastal birds have been recorded, and on a typical tour
approximately 50 species are spotted. Info:
www.brewerygulchinn.com/.
CONNECTICUT
Angels' Watch Inn Bed and Breakfast, Westbrook, CT: Join others for the
February Bald Eagle Festival in nearby Essex, or visit in spring, summer and
fall to enjoy an Eagle Watch cruise on the River, or a self-guided tour. Info:
www.angelswatchinn.com/.
Daniel Trowbridge House, Pomfret Center, CT: Birders flock here to spot
everything from resident red-tailed hawks and great blue herons to the
occasional flock of snow geese passing through in the fall. Nearby Bafflin
Sanctuary has mapped walking trails and wonderful educational programs. Info:
www.danieltrowbridgehouse.com.
FLORIDA
Siam Garden Resort, Anna Maria Island, FL: Both the village and island
are designated bird sanctuaries; nearby Passage Key is a protected nesting
island just offshore. Magnificent frigate birds, sanderlings, yellow-crowned
night herons, double-crested cormorants, semi-palmated plovers, royal terns,
osprey, palm warblers, snowy egrets, and herons abound. Info:
www.SiamGardenResort.com.
ILLINOIS
Beall Mansion, Alton, Illinois: Each year between Christmas and
Valentine's Day, Alton hosts the largest concentration of American bald eagles
outside of Alaska. Packages include everything from self-guided tours to guided
tours with spotting scopes. Info:
www.beallmansion.com.
Isle of View Bed and Breakfast, Metropolis, IL: Located along the
Mississippi flyway, guests can take advantage of the bald eagle observation
platforms, or venture a little farther to the Grassy Lakes, renowned for
first-rate birding. Info: www.isle-of-view.net
LOUISIANA
Victoria Inn B&B, Lafitte, LA: Three great birding trails are nearby: a
levee walk, Jean Lafitte Nature Study Park, and the Barataria Unit with twelve
miles of boardwalk and twenty-three miles of canoe trails. The first weekend of
October celebrates the fall migratory bird season with "Wings Over the
Wetlands." Info: www.victoriainn.com/.
MARYLAND
The Alexander House Booklovers B&B, Princess Anne, MD: Every April, the
Delmarva Birding Weekend is held in historic Princess Anne on the Eastern
Shore. Hoping to sight some of the 296 species of area birds, participants take
canoe and kayak trips, boat and trekking excursions. Info:
www.bookloversbnb.com.
MASSACHUSETTS
Addison Choate Inn, Rockport MA: Halibut Point is at the northern
boundary of the Atlantic Path, a locally maintained trail that winds along the
ocean near Rockport village. Visit the Parker River Wildlife Refuge located on
Plum Island, a nationally known bird watchers paradise, just 30 minutes away.
Info: www.addisonchoateinn.com.
MINNESOTA
Golden Lantern Inn, Red Wing, MN: In February, hundreds of eagles can be
viewed from the Mississippi River parks just a few blocks away from the Golden
Lantern Inn. In late February, the "Eagle Spot" event features a full day of
activities. Info: www.goldenlantern.com
.
Round Barn Farm Bed and Breakfast, Red Wing, MN: The Mississippi flyway
bottlenecks at Red Wing, Minnesota where the Mississippi River pours into Lake
Pepin, making for some of the best birding in the country. February is the
month for eagle watching, while in May, the town offers the Great River Birding
Festival. In summer, take a guided B&B bird walk with local guide Kelly Larson.
Info: www.roundbarnfarm.com/.
MISSOURI
KD's Botanical Guest House, Rolla, MO: Surrounding by flower gardens,
KD's tree top deck puts you at bird level, and offers not only the ideal roost
for birders but a perfect spot for enjoying moonlit nights and constellation
sightings. Info: www.kdsguesthouse.com/
OHIO
Campbell Cottage B&B, Kelleys Island OH: In Surrounded by Lake Erie,
Kelleys Island is a "stepping stone" for migrating birds as they cross the lake
to their Canadian summer breeding grounds. Each May, the "Nest With The Birds"
program includes professionally-led daily programs, twice-daily bird hikes and
evening woodcock watches. Info:
www.campbellcottage.com.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Inn at Crystal Lake, Eaton, NH: Bird lovers listen to the call of the
loon on bucolic Crystal Lake, and delight in sleeping in the Birdhouse Room,
decked out with a collection of birdhouse motif quilts, bird books, binoculars
and birding accessories. Info:
www.innatcrystallake.com .
NEW JERSEY
Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast Inn, Cape May, NJ: Located within
biking distance of the Cape May Bird Observatory and the Nature Conservatory
Refuge, the Queen Victoria offers early morning birders a backpack-ready
breakfast with muffins, bagels, fresh fruit and juice. Info:
www.queenvictoria.com.
Southern Mansion, Cape May, NJ: Encompassing a private portion of Cape
May's best birding sites, guests have exclusive access to this wonderful
acreage where rare birds (especially raptors) have been seen. Info:
www.southernmansion.com.
SeaScape Manor Bed and Breakfast, Highlands, NJ: Close to Sandy Hook
National Recreation Area, where over 300 species of birds have been identified
during the spring and fall migrations. Info:
www.bbianj.com/seascape.
MONTANA
Candlewycke Inn B&B, Bigfork, MT: Stay at the Candlewycke Inn during the
annual Bigfork Bird Festival, June 6-8, 2003 for $185 for the weekend.
Celebrating the harlequin duck and the tundra ptarmigan, birders will be
treated to a variety of guided and self-guided tours to northwest Montana's
finest birdwatching spots. Info:
www.candlewyckeinn.com.
OREGON
Crystalwood Lodge, Klamath Falls, OR: Birders will see resident bald
eagles, sandhill cranes, pileated and white-headed woodpeckers, pygmy owls, and
the more mergansers, wood ducks, Canada geese, orioles, and blackbirds.
Crystalwood Lodge has recently been selected as a Portal Site on the
soon-to-be-launched Cascades Birding Trail, a thousand-mile birding trail
running the spine of the Cascades in Oregon. Info:
www.crystalwoodlodge.com.
Flery Manor B&B, Grants Pass, OR: Near the Rogue River, this B&B is
bordered by forest trails ideal for viewing the natural habitat and bird
population. The Love Bird Special includes a night in the Vintage Suite and
complimentary champagne or sparkling cider. Info:
www.flerymanor.com.
Homestead Bed and Breakfast, Depoe Bay, OR: With a bird sanctuary
directly across the road, guests of the Homestead B&B have no trouble spotting
several favorite species right from the sun porch or dining room. Self-guided
tours include directions and ideal sighting spots. Info:
www.thehomesteadbb.com.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Chatelaine B&B, Pine Grove Mills: Held in early May, the Annual
Birding Cup at nearby Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, is held to raise
funds to support raptor education, research and care. Return for the Golden
Eagle Count in February and March. Info:
www.chatelainebandb.com.
TEXAS
Terralak B&B On Lake Texoma, Pottsboro, TX: This B&B's lakeside location
is a popular breeding ground for blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers,
hummingbirds, roadrunners, owls and even an occasional bald eagle. Info:
www.terralak.com.
VERMONT
Whitford House Inn, Addison, Vermont: Located adjacent to a 1000-acre
waterfowl and wildlife preserve, offering an ideal panorama for birders. Two
miles away, Vermont has established a site to view the huge flocks of snow
geese which feed in the area during the spring and fall migrations, turning the
ground snow-white. Info: www.whitfordhouseinn.com.
VIRGINIA
Inn at Narrow Passage, Woodstock, VA: Visit for the northern migration
of Baltimore Orioles, which arrive like clockwork around April 28th. As many as
twenty can be seen roosting in the trees that surround this inn. There are
several varieties of raptors here too. Info:
www.innatnarrowpassage.com.
Oaks Victorian Inn, Christiansburg, VA: Located between the Allegheny
and the Blue Ridge Mountains, birders explore Claytor Lake State Park, the
54-mile-long New River Trail, and the Cascade Falls trail. Info:
www.bedandbreakfast.com/property/ppf/id/601275/index.aspx.
WASHINGTON
Commander's Beach House, Port Townsend, WA: Late March through April,
the Commander's Beach House offers the ideal spot to hear the soft, ruk-ruk
calls of the Brant geese en route to their breeding grounds in Northwest Canada
and Alaska. All rooms are equipped with binoculars so that guests can view the
bald eagles, blue herons, sandpipers, kingfishers, and killdeers that frequent
the inn's private beach and tide flats. Ask about the spring bird watcher's
package that includes two nights lodging and a $60 gift certificate to the
award winning Silverwater Café. Info:
www.commandersbeachhouse.com.
WEST VIRGINIA
Bright Morning Inn, Davis, WV: Great birding in the nearby Monongahela
National Forest, Blackwater Falls State Park, the Canaan Valley National
Wildlife Refuge, and the Dolly Sods Wilderness area. Info:
www.brightmorninginn.com.
WISCONSIN
Harbor Hill Inn, Bed & Brunch, Pepin, WI: With more than 302 species of
birds nesting or migrating through the Upper Mississippi River, exceptional
opportunities abound year-round to spot bald eagles and numerous songbirds.
Tundra swans and peregrine falcons draw large crowds during migration season
too. With the National Eagle Center a short distance away, both the novice and
experienced birder have unique access to educational programs and viewings.
Info: www.pepinsbest.com.
Trails End Bed and Breakfast, Kendall, Wisconsin: Eighty acres with
groomed birding trails winding through rugged hills and stream-lined valleys.
Have breakfast with the hummingbirds on the private screened porch. Info:
www.mwt.net/~cabin.
Note: Information has been supplied by BedandBreakfast.com members; most of these
properties have not been visited by the editors of the BedandBreakfast.com
Report.
|
Southern Indiana
Loop 