Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Historically, Smith Mountain State Park was a livestock farm. As with most of southern Bedford, when these agricultural lands were left to regrow, they came back as mixed oak-pine forests. This has provided ample habitat for species such as Pine Warblers and Brown-headed Nuthatches, which birders will not have any trouble finding at the state park. On a good winter day, birders may be able to find all three nuthatches and seven species of woodpeckers. Winter is not only good for tree-lovers but it’s great for water-lovers as well. Waterfowl, grebes, loons, and gulls frequent the sections of the lake surrounding the park. In the spring and fall, the park is a great spot to scope for migrant gulls and terns. In recent years Brown Pelicans have become more common around buoys in the deeper channels. 

Notable records from the state park include Eared Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Red-throated Loon, and Brown Pelican.

eBird Hotspot: Smith Mountain Lake State Park

—Logan Anderson

Peaks of Otter Recreation Area

The Peaks of Otter Recreation Area covers three pinnacles: Sharp Top Mountain, Flat Top Mountain, and Harkening Hill. Trails climbing all three mountains can be found surrounding Abbott Lake which lies in between the points. The lake is surrounded by small woodlots, grassy lawns, and a small marshy area that can be good birding at any time of the year.

The surrounding peaks are a great spot for hiking and birding in spring and summer. The Peaks of Otter are known for their abundance in spring migrant flocks that utilize the oak-maple forests as an important stopover site. High elevation specialties such as Veery, Dark-eyed Junco, and Blackburnian and Canada Warblers utilize the higher reaches of all three peaks.

Notable records include Surf Scoter, Varied Thrush, Sedge Wren, Mourning Warbler, and Connecticut Warbler.

Herpetologists may find this area interesting for its salamander diversity. There is an endemic species of salamander that can be found on these slopes, appropriately named the Peaks of Otter Salamander. This species is only found in Bedford, Botetourt, and Rockbridge counties.

Owner/Manager: National Park Service

eBird Hotspot: Peaks of Otter Recreation Area

—Logan Anderson