Truly a hidden gem, the Secluded Farm trails at the foot of Carters Mountain are one of the Charlottesville area’s best locations for spring birding, with 31 species of warbler recorded. The trails pass through shrubby thickets, fields, and rich, mesic hardwood forests offering birders great opportunities to see a great diversity of passerine species, as well as a variety of early-season dragonflies and wildflowers.
In addition to the wide variety of Neotropical migrants expected here, these trails offer birders the chance for some particularly interesting breeding species. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Orchard Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting are all expected species here, as are large numbers of Summer Tanagers, a species that becomes scarce in the Piedmont north of Charlottesville. But what makes Secluded Farm a household name in the Charlottesville birding community is its breeding population of Kentucky Warblers. These secretive birds can be found along a small spur trail on the east side of the large tree-studded field at the southern part of the trail system. The forest here, with it’s lush shrub layer and proximity to a small stream and ephemeral pond, is perfect habitat for them, and this is the most reliable place in the area to find these birds.
Spring and summer are definitely the best times of year to bird here, but there are some good lists from fall as well and it would certainly be worth checking out then. Winter offers the typical species of forested habitats, and is probably not the best time to visit if you are looking for species diversity or large numbers of birds.
Accessibility: The trails are accessed from the Saunders-Monticello Trail in Kemper Park, at the intersection of State Routes 20 and 53. Parking at the lot off of SR 20 is advised, as the small parking lot on 53 is usually full. From Charlottesville, head south on SR 20 (Scottsville Road) then make a u-turn at the SR 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway) intersection. Turn right on Dairy Barn Road, parking is on the right. Walk on the gravel trail from the end of the parking lot under SR 53, then the Secluded Farm trails will be on the right in about 400 feet (there should be a sign).
Owner/Manager: Monticello, Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District
eBird Hotspot: Secluded Farm
—Drew Chaney