Strickley Road (1 mile in length) is a small gravel road that winds through farmland in open sky country next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing good opportunity for spotting raptors. Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel are common year-round while Merlin, Northern Harrier, and Red-shouldered Hawk are occasionally observed during the winter. An Osprey or Bald Eagle is occasionally sighted over the South River, just to the east. Sparrows such as Grasshopper, Song, Field, and Savannah are often spotted along the road and in nearby fields in the winter. Meadowlarks and Red-winged Blackbirds can be heard singing spring and summer. Bobolinks return in late April. Horned Larks and American Pipits are often sighted during the winter, especially just after a snowstorm when hundreds of larks are sometimes observed. If you find a flock of Horned Larks, be sure to scan for Lapland Longspur or Snow Bunting.
eBird Hotspots: Strickley Road
—Vic Laubach