August 31st is Open House at Shady Grove Gardens-
Sunday: 3-6 PM Labor Day Sunday
@ 2278 Peak Road, Creston NC (Ashe County)
SHADY GROVE IS A 76 ACRE NATURAL AREA AND CUT FLOWER FARM WITH PARKING AND RESTROOM FACILITIES. PLEASE WEAR WALKING SHOES THE GROUND IS ROUGH. WE HAVE DOGS, YOURS ARE WELCOME LEASHED. PLANTS, FLOWERS AND DRINKS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
From Boone drive north on Hwy. 421 to TN line in Trade TN,
3 mi to farm on the left.The farm is the first property on the left after the pavement ends. Signs for Shady Grove are on the barn along the road.
Peak season for the Dahlias and Hydrangea
A Hat and Sunscreen are suggested. Water and restrooms will be available.
Coordinates:N 36º 24’ 37” W 81º 39’ 07”
Site Description: Shady Grove Farms is a nice mix of open grassy areas, early successional shrubby areas, and young forest. These habitats support a good variety of higher elevation shrubland species like Golden-winged Warbler, which are easily seen and heard here in May and most of June. In some years, Brewster’s Warblers hold territories here. A pair or two of Black-billed Cuckoo are usually present in summer and fall migration (August) as well. Yellow-breasted Chat and Alder Flycatcher are also present in most years. Gray Catbird, Field Sparrow, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern Towhee are all common breeders. The farm is nestled under the shadow of the Peak, one of the high Amphibolite mountains in northwest North Carolina. Common Raven nest here and are regularly seen and heard from the Farm, as are resident Broad-winged, Red-tailed, and Cooper’s Hawks. Migrant songbird numbers can be good in fall and spring as well, especially in the denser, wetter portions of the farm.
Species of Interest: Black-billed Cuckoo, Common Raven, Alder Flycatcher, Golden-winged Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wild Turkey
The 76 acre farm on the NC Birding Trail, its located on the slopes of 'The Peak', in the Amphibolite Mountains of Ashe County. Open meadows, farm roads, early succession forest, numerous streams & mountain bogs provide excellent habitat many types of birds as well as great long range views.
