McCormick's Mills is a historic farm in Raphine where Cyrus McCormick invented and developed farm machinery, now used as an agricultural research station by Virginia Tech. There are two ponds here: one near the parking lot and one across the road on the north side. These ponds can attract a nice variety of birds including waterfowl (Tundra Swan, Teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Redhead, etc.) as well as shorebirds and waders (Least Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Green Heron). The surrounding trees and open areas attract woodpeckers, swallows, Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Vireos (Warbling and White-eyed), thrushes, warblers (Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Yellow-rumped, Palm), and sparrows. Baltimore orioles regularly nest in the willow trees next to the old mill. A large parking lot is available, and walking paths are easy and marked.
eBird Hotspot: McCormick's Mills
—Vic Laubach