Bear Trap Forest Road

This gravel road is a Forestry Service Road passing through dense forest at the base of the Allegheny Mountains just west of Natural Chimneys. It extends for quite a distance and does not connect up with additional roads, so an out-and-back drive is necessary. In spring/summer expect to find plenty of neotropical migrants such as various warblers, vireos, and tanagers as well as plenty of woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee, and Brown Creeper. The road is not well maintained and can be treacherous due to rain, snow, or ice.

eBird Hotspot: Bear Trap Forest Road

—Vic Laubach

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Balsley Road

Balsley Road stretches 3.8 miles between Sangers Lane and Hermitage Road, passing through a lot of agricultural fields and pastures and interspersed trees and forest, among scattered homes. Thus, one can find a variety of species including Wild Turkey, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, raptors, woodpeckers, Eastern Kingbird, swallows, wrens, finches, and sparrows. There are a few small ponds that might hold herons or sandpipers. Traffic on this paved road is light, however it can be fast and thus you must be sure to pull safely off the road if you need to stop.

eBird hotspot: Balsley Road

—Vic Laubach

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Badger Road

Badger Rd is a 1.6-mile-long gravel road with beautiful scenery, rolling fields and some wooded sections. It runs east-west and connects Natural Chimneys Rd and Rt 42. Badger Rd actually crosses Rt 42 and continues to Spring Hill Rd, but the best birding is found on the west side of Rt 42. At one point it crosses over a small stream. Red-headed Woodpeckers breed here and can be seen in the sections of open woods. Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and Loggerhead Shrike have all been reported on this road occasionally while Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel are common, and Northern Harrier can occasionally be sighted. This is also a great place to see large flocks of sparrows, juncos, etc. Watch for flocks of Horned Lark and blackbirds in the surrounding fields.

eBird Hotspot: Badger Road

—Vic Laubach

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Hall School Road

Hall School Rd is best known for its raptors, especially the light-phase Rough-legged Hawk that wintered here for several years. This is also a great location for other raptors such as American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Accipiters. Other birds that can be found here include Eastern Meadowlark, American Pipit, Horned Lark, and plenty of sparrows. Bird anywhere along the length of the road. Traffic is light but fast, so be very careful and pull well off the road if you need to stop.

eBird Hotspot: Hall School Road

—Vic Laubach

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Guthrie Road

Guthrie Rd is a 3.5-mile gravel road with vast open fields on either side. Horned Larks, American Pipits, Killdeer, Dickcissel and sometimes even Rusty Blackbirds, Lapland Longspurs and Short-eared Owls can be seen here during the winter months. Sparrows include Song, Savannah, Grasshopper, Field, White-crowned, White-throated and Vesper. Raptors such as American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, and Northern Harrier can also be found here. There is little traffic on this road, so it’s easy to pull off to the side to scan the sky and fields with your optics.

eBird Hotspot: Guthrie Road

—Vic Laubach

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Grand Caverns Regional Park

The primary attraction of Grand Caverns Regional Park located in Grottoes, VA is its striking cave system, America’s oldest continuously operated show cave, in operation since 1806. Visitors in the late afternoon may also see a few tricolored bats flying around the entryway. The Park features activities such as miniature golf, swimming pool, hiking trail, and picnic areas with shelters. The grounds contain a good mix of open and forested habitats, with numerous woodland and open country birds congregating in the area. In spring and summer, look for Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebird, Gray Catbird, Indigo Bunting, Song and Chipping Sparrows, and American Goldfinch. This can also be a good place during migration. 

Accessibility: Grand Caverns is easily accessed from nearby Rt 340 in Grottoes. Parking and restrooms are available.

eBird Hotspot: Grand Caverns Regional Park

—Vic Laubach

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George Washington NF--Ramseys Draft

Ramseys Draft is the name of a river that runs through a rugged, boulder-strewn mountain valley. Moderate hikes up Shenandoah Mountain, or along the trail that parallels the stream, crossing back and forth across the stream several times. (Caution: occasional rattlesnakes on the rocks.) Birds commonly seen here during breeding season include: American Redstart, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated green Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, various vireos, woodpeckers, Scarlet Tanager, and Wood Thrush. Rose-breasted grosbeaks breed at higher elevations. From Staunton, take Rt. 250 West about 20 miles to the Ramsey's Draft Picnic Area. There is a restroom.

eBird hotspot: George Washington NF--Ramseys Draft

—Andrew Clem

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Elliott Knob

Elliott Knob is the highest point on the ridge known as North Mountain, a few miles northeast of Augusta Springs. At the summit are several telecommunications towers and an old lookout tower formerly used to spot forest fires. With an altitude differential of about 2,300 ft (peak altitude = 4,462 ft), this area encompasses a variety of ecological zones from top to bottom. At the upper elevations are found several species that normally breed in northern latitudes, such as Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. At lower altitudes one can expect to find Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ovenbird, among others, as well as various vireos and woodpeckers, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, and Scarlet Tanager. 

Accessibility: Elliott Knob can be accessed via a steep gravel road (closed to the public) that intersects with Route 254 at its highest point, or by a trail along the crest of North Mountain leading north from Hite Hollow Road. There is a side trail that leads through Falls Hollow, a lush ravine where birds are often found.

eBird Hotspot: Elliott Knob

—Andrew Clem

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Eakle Road Wetland

This is a small pond located on the south side of Eakle Road with lots of cattails. Although the habitat looks decent, there is rarely waterfowl on the pond. Species recorded here have included Canada Goose, Mallard, Ruddy Duck, Great Blue Heron, and Common Yellowthroat. The pond is on private property so view from the road. There is a grassy shoulder where you can safely pull off the road to view the wetland.

eBird Hotspot: Eakle Road Wetland

—Gabriel Mapel

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Eagle's Nest Pond

This small pond lies alongside Aero Drive on the way to Eagles Nest Airport (a private airport). This pond can yield a variety of waterfowl in winter/spring such as Snow Goose, Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Scaup, Pied-billed Grebe, and Gadwall. A White-winged Scoter spent some time here in Feb 2014. Other birds found here include Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered Hawk, swallows, sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Red-winged Blackbird. Park off the road past the pond and walk back to view the water and surrounding shrubs and trees. The pond and walking trail around the pond are private property, so it's best to view from the road.

eBird Hotspot: Eagle's Nest Pond

—Vic Laubach

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Crimora Park

This is a small community park located right along the South River in the small town of Crimora. There are only a few very short walking paths along the river, but this is a good spot to scan the South River in winter for waterfowl including Common Merganser and Common Goldeneye. In the summer, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles as well as Warbling Vireos breed in the tall Sycamore trees along the river, and various Warblers and Flycatchers use the brushy area at the north end of the park as a stopover area during migration.

eBird Hotspot: Crimora Park

—Gabriel Mapel

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Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve (south)

In 2019 the Cowbane Preserve was expanded by the addition of 84 more acres on the south side of the South River. This south section of Cowbane Preserve is comprised of fields, shrubs and trees (a nice habitat mix). The habitat along the river is quite nice for birds, especially sparrows and wrens. There is no bridge across the river, so one must access the south section of Cowbane Preserve via Bowmans Run Rd. Park at the end of the cul-de-sac where access is gained through the wooden fence next to the yellow gate. There are no defined trails but there are some wide, mowed paths. The Preserve is marked with yellow bands on boundary trees as well as signs. The original section of Cowbane is located just to the north on the other side of the South River, which has a separate access point and a separate eBird hotspot.

See the Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve profile for more information on the northern counterpart to this hotspot.

eBird Hotspot: Cowbane Prairie Natural Area Preserve (south)

—Vic Laubach

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Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Site

The Confederate Breastworks, a popular scenic viewing area for fall foliage, sits atop Shenandoah Mountain (elev. 2,875 ft) and is less than 2 miles west of Ramsey's Draft. The site was used during the Civil War by soldiers under the command of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, guarding the strategically important Shenandoah Valley. This site offers a 0.5-mile walking trail and is also a wonderful site for hawk-watching in the fall. This is also a popular access point to the gently rolling Shenandoah Mountain Trail, which runs north and south along the crest of the mountain. Hiking trails also lead down to the Ramsey's Draft watershed. 

Along these trails are numerous opportunities for wildlife-watching. In early morning or after sunset in the spring Eastern Whip-poor-will can be heard, and Barred and Screech Owls may also be found. Typical bird species observed here include Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-pewee, Great-crested Flycatcher, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-capped Chickadee, Ovenbird, Black-and white Warbler, and Pine Warbler. Red-crossbills can sometimes be found here.

Accessibility: The Confederate Breastworks is found alongside Rt 250 at the peak of Shenandoah Mountain at the border with Highland County. Parking is available as well as a single restroom. Hiking trails lead from parking area.

eBird Hotspot: Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Site

—Vic Laubach

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China Clay Road Wetland

This wetland area is basically a large (inconsistently) flooded field with standing, shallow water. The wetland is located not far off of China Clay Rd and is easily visible. Be sure to pull safely off the road and view the wetland from here (don't walk into private field toward pond). Here you will likely find waterfowl and wading birds during any season. Wintering birds include Teal, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, Lesser Scaup, and Bufflehead. Herons, Grebes, Sandpipers, and Yellowlegs, can also be found, and a Tricolored Heron, Little Blue Heron, and Red-necked Phalarope showed up in 2013. Surrounding fields may hold Savannah and Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlark, swallows, Purple Martin, Pine Siskin, and Eastern Kingbird.

eBird Hotspot: China Clay Road Wetland Bank

—Vic Laubach

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Chimney Hollow Trail

Chimney Hollow Trail winds through a portion of the Crawford Mountain Roadless Area in George Washington National Forest. A 7-mile round trip of moderate difficulty starts at 2000 feet with a gradual ascent through Chimney Hollow ravine, an area once rich in hemlocks, now dominated by white pine and laurel. The trail ascends toward Coalpit Knob, affording several opportunities for good views. The trail ends when it joins Crawford Mountain trail at just over 3500 feet elevation. Many forest birds can be found along the trail including Winter Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Pine Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Acadian Flycatcher, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, and Wood Thrush. Louisiana Waterthrush and Northern Parula nest along the lower portion of the stream.

Accessibility: Look for the trailhead sign saying "Chimney Hollow Trail" along Rt 250 just before turnoffs for Braley Pond Rd and Deerfield Valley Rd. Park along the road.

eBird Hotspot: Chimney Hollow Trail

—Andrew Clem

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Cattleman Road

Cattleman Road runs north-south through the middle of Swoope connecting Hewitt Rd and Glebe School Rd. It takes you through mostly agricultural fields and pastures. It’s an easy drive with not too much traffic. On the north end it crosses the Middle River, which is a good place to stop and search for Willow Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler, and Eastern Phoebe. In summer the fields can yield breeders such as Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows, Dickcissel, Eastern Meadowlark, and Bobolink. In the winter keep your eyes open for Northern Harriers hunting the fields as well as American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk. Several Loggerhead Shrike have also been found here in recent years in winter. Near Trimbles Mill Road is a stand of deciduous trees that often hold Red-headed Woodpecker. On the north end is also Smithleigh Lake just on the west side of the road on private property. This lake can’t be viewed from Cattleman Rd but can be partially viewed from above on North Mountain Road. Keep a watch for the resident pair of Bald Eagles that have nested near here for at least the past 6 years.

eBird Hotspot: Cattleman Road

—Vic Laubach

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Buttermilk Road

This paved east-west road travels through wide open farm fields which are good spots to look for Horned Larks and American Pipits (winter), and Blue Grosbeak and Grasshopper Sparrow (summer). The fields along Buttermilk Road near the intersection with Knightly Mill Road are often a reliable summer spot for breeding Dickcissel. Buttermilk Road is a fast road so be sure to pull all the way off and turn on your flashers if you stop to bird.

eBird Hotspot: Buttermilk Road

—Gabriel Mapel

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