| Aska Lodge Bed & Breakfast ~178 Calen Dr. ~ Blue Ridge, GA 30513 ~ 706-632-0178 |
| JimWilliams, author of "Urban Birds of North Alabama", noted this: "The rustic setting of the lodge and the intimate contact it provides with nature are exceptional. We greatly enjoyed waking to the sounds of birds and having our first cup of coffee on the porch while we watched them forage in their habitat. With no real effort a knowledgeable birder can identify 20 or more species before breakfast on a late-summer morning. The location of the lodge at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains provides opportunities in summer months to see birds that otherwise desert the south to breed in more northern latitudes. Additionally, the mountains are a preferred spring and fall migration route for many birds of Eastern North America as they make their way to breeding grounds or winter habitats." |
Aska Lodge Bird Photos by Rachel Cass - Click to enlarge
The Aska Lodge Bed & Breakfast cares about conservation and wildlife...just ask Innkeeper Bob, who
is now a Georgia Master Naturalist.
This also includes feeders, landscaping, and plantings to help the special birds of Georgia’s Blue
Ridge Mountains. A different mix of birds visits our numerous feeders, wildlife plantings, and the
surrounding wooded hills in each season. There are also many common but endearing birds that stay
around all year.
There are many permanent residents in our area who keep us company at our feeders or in the trees
and thickets around the property. American Goldfinches swarm the feeders along with Carolina
Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, and Eastern Towhees. White-
breasted Nuthatches and several species of woodpeckers may be seen creeping along tree trunks,
while feisty Carolina Wrens stalk the woods. American Crows and Blue Jays are often heard calling
as they pass by overhead, along with the occasional glimpse of raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and
Red-shouldered Hawks. Though rarely seen, you may hear an Eastern Screech-Owl or a Great
Horned Owl calling at dusk or just before dawn.
In spring, the hills around the Aska Lodge come alive with birdsong as neotropical migrants arrive
and begin setting up territories to nest. Some of these special birds which nest on our property (or
nearby) include Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-and-white
Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Ruby-throated
Hummingbird. Some birds may be just passing through like Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American
Redstart, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackpoll
Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and many other species. In the summer months, the bird activity slows
down as migration comes to an end and families settle in to nest and raise their young. In the fall,
migration picks up again with many species stopping by as they head south for the winter. Also in late
summer and fall, cute young birds abound, sometimes seen being fed by mom and dad. Another special
treat in the fall are huge swarms of hungry Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The “Hummer Rodeo” at
the Aska Lodge is truly a spectacle to behold, as a dozen or more of these tiny dynamos flock our
feeders at the same time, battling it out for supremacy! In the winter months, with all of the migrants
gone until spring, another special group of birds joins in with the locals. These include Purple Finch,
Pine Siskin, and (sometimes) Red-breasted Nuthatch. Also in winter, Brown Creepers hitch their way
up tree trunks and Hermit Thrushes pick through fallen leaves for food. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
earn their name as they quietly create their signature rings of holes around tree trunks as they forage.
There are many great birding hotspots located within easy driving distance of the Aska Lodge Bed and
Breakfast. Spend some time exploring the directions and descriptions at
“Wings Over Georgia,” an Online Guide to Birding in Georgia.
Fannin County Birding Hotspots Blue Ridge Birding Hotspots
Also visit Tom Striker at the Blue Ridge Birdseed Company
is now a Georgia Master Naturalist.
This also includes feeders, landscaping, and plantings to help the special birds of Georgia’s Blue
Ridge Mountains. A different mix of birds visits our numerous feeders, wildlife plantings, and the
surrounding wooded hills in each season. There are also many common but endearing birds that stay
around all year.
There are many permanent residents in our area who keep us company at our feeders or in the trees
and thickets around the property. American Goldfinches swarm the feeders along with Carolina
Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Northern Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, and Eastern Towhees. White-
breasted Nuthatches and several species of woodpeckers may be seen creeping along tree trunks,
while feisty Carolina Wrens stalk the woods. American Crows and Blue Jays are often heard calling
as they pass by overhead, along with the occasional glimpse of raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and
Red-shouldered Hawks. Though rarely seen, you may hear an Eastern Screech-Owl or a Great
Horned Owl calling at dusk or just before dawn.
In spring, the hills around the Aska Lodge come alive with birdsong as neotropical migrants arrive
and begin setting up territories to nest. Some of these special birds which nest on our property (or
nearby) include Indigo Bunting, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-and-white
Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Ruby-throated
Hummingbird. Some birds may be just passing through like Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American
Redstart, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackpoll
Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, and many other species. In the summer months, the bird activity slows
down as migration comes to an end and families settle in to nest and raise their young. In the fall,
migration picks up again with many species stopping by as they head south for the winter. Also in late
summer and fall, cute young birds abound, sometimes seen being fed by mom and dad. Another special
treat in the fall are huge swarms of hungry Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The “Hummer Rodeo” at
the Aska Lodge is truly a spectacle to behold, as a dozen or more of these tiny dynamos flock our
feeders at the same time, battling it out for supremacy! In the winter months, with all of the migrants
gone until spring, another special group of birds joins in with the locals. These include Purple Finch,
Pine Siskin, and (sometimes) Red-breasted Nuthatch. Also in winter, Brown Creepers hitch their way
up tree trunks and Hermit Thrushes pick through fallen leaves for food. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
earn their name as they quietly create their signature rings of holes around tree trunks as they forage.
There are many great birding hotspots located within easy driving distance of the Aska Lodge Bed and
Breakfast. Spend some time exploring the directions and descriptions at
“Wings Over Georgia,” an Online Guide to Birding in Georgia.
Fannin County Birding Hotspots Blue Ridge Birding Hotspots
Also visit Tom Striker at the Blue Ridge Birdseed Company
ASKA LODGE HAIKUS
Bird songs' greetings blend
With the mountains' restful peace
Nurtured by dear friends
Morning's golden finch
Evening's fireflies sparkling warmth
Within the heart glow
©Robert Gibbs
Summer, 2009
Bird songs' greetings blend
With the mountains' restful peace
Nurtured by dear friends
Morning's golden finch
Evening's fireflies sparkling warmth
Within the heart glow
©Robert Gibbs
Summer, 2009
What did Giff Beaton, author of "Birding Georgia" & Wings
tour leader, have to say about his stay at the Aska Lodge?...
"This wonderful B&B is not only a great place to stay in the
lap of luxury and enjoy their amazing hospitality and birdy
grounds, but it's convenient to some of the best birding
sites in Georgia's Blue Ridge!"
tour leader, have to say about his stay at the Aska Lodge?...
"This wonderful B&B is not only a great place to stay in the
lap of luxury and enjoy their amazing hospitality and birdy
grounds, but it's convenient to some of the best birding
sites in Georgia's Blue Ridge!"