Cemetery Road Fields

Near the southern end of Cemetery Road (VA 658) there is a large agricultural plot on the west side of the road. Over the years this land has been leased to several different farmers, who have used the fields to grow various crops. In recent years, the fields have almost exclusively been planted with sod, which has been a benefit for birders. The current operator of this tract of land is Remington Turf Farm (not affiliated with the area’s more well-known Woodward Turf Farms).

Primarily a shorebirding spot, the quality of birding here ranges from excellent to poor. The topography of the field has a subtle undulation, which allows rainwater to pool in various places. During either fall or spring migration, these pools and puddles attract shorebirds, depending on the crop planted. It is when the fields are growing sod that it is best for birders.

There are two primary spots for birding these fields. The first is by parking along the east side of Cemetery Road, about one-quarter of a mile north of the intersection with Freemans Ford Road (VA 651). The shoulder is wide enough here to get a car safely off the road (though passenger-side birders might want to watch their step getting out of the car). This road is little traveled, but enough that birders need to be vigilant for vehicles when standing along the side of it watching birds. Birds are sometimes close to the road, so it is worth scanning from the car before opening doors and accidentally flushing them. From this vantage point observers are blocked by a rise in the field. In general, the birds are on the near side of the rise, but that isn’t always the case.

The second spot to scan the fields is from the southwest corner of the Remington Cemetery, which is just a couple hundred yards north of the first spot. There is a small structure in this part of the cemetery, and that is probably the best spot to park as it is the most unobtrusive portion of the area. One can walk a few yards toward the corner of the cemetery from here, which gets the observer closer to the birds and into a portion of the cemetery without graves.

This is a small, four-acre cemetery. Please be respectful of the land’s primary purpose, and use an abundance of common sense. If there are memorial services being performed, it is probably best to not intrude and just scan the mud from the road. Do not park on the cemetery lawn, do not leave a vehicle blocking the narrow roads, and absolutely do not turn a vehicle around by driving over a grave. 

During times when other crops are planted here, the birding can be poor. Both corn and soy beans aren’t typically harvested until late enough in the year that most of autumn shorebird migration has passed. Depending on how wet spring is, there may or may not be opportunities to find shorebirds here before either of those crops are planted (or have grown to a height to obstruct viewing). Winter birding is still largely an unknown for this location, but depending on the condition of the field, it is likely that Horned Larks and American Pipits will be found here at times, and if there are puddles, it should attract Wilson’s Snipe and Killdeer. Whether Snow Buntings or Lapland Longspurs make an appearance is anyone’s guess.

For the uninitiated to birding sod farms, there are various steps in the sod-growing process, and each stage of growth offers something for birds. The finished product is of course sod. When the fields are covered with grass, the grass is mowed regularly and kept short (usually about two inches). While sod is essentially a monoculture, the height of the grass allows so-inclined species to more easily forage and see insects that are walking on the ground. It is also good for birders, as the birds are typically quite easy to see. As with nearly any shorebirding, rain helps. There are often pools or puddles collecting on the sod (sometimes visible from a distance). If so, the birds are typically concentrating there. When completely dry, sod seems much less favorable to shorebirds.

The next step in sod farming is harvesting. Sod is harvested by large, mechanical equipment that peels a layer of sod and dirt from the earth, and rolls it. These rolls are what are sold commercially and retail, and are probably familiar to most everyone. What is left behind the peeled sod is smooth, flat dirt. This is attractive to most shorebirds, especially when wet (and the puddles are much more obvious in this state). Conditions like this may favor the chances of finding Buff-breasted Sandpipers, though it is also productive for just about any shorebird. There is often quite a bit of equipment on the fields during this process, including vehicles and pallets of sod.

Typically the next step is for the fields to be turned. A disc harrow is dragged behind a tractor, and the result is long rows of troughs and mounds of clumpy soil. It is when sod farms are in this state that they are the best for shorebirds, especially after rain. The natural topography of the terrain will still result in puddles, but if the rain is heavy enough, many of the troughs will also hold water. It can make spotting the birds more tricky, as they have evolved plumages that allow them to disappear in a bumpy, muddy field. But they sure do like it. Even after the rain has evaporated or absorbed, the dirt remains pliable and still offers good foraging for shorebirds.

The final step is planting new sod, and this is about as similarly productive as grown sod, though far less aesthetically pleasing. Sod farmers struggle to keep their harvested rolls of sod from crumbling and collapsing. As a result, they have employed an unfortunate step in the process. The entire planted field will be covered in a grass-colored plastic mesh. This mesh acts to hold the sod together when harvesting and during transport. It stays in the sod long after it is planted, unless it is removed by the consumer. For birding purposes, it also might discourage some birds from feeding, as they are probably more apt to catch their toes and feet on this mesh. Having birded dozens of hours at sod farms with this mesh present, I have never seen an ensnared bird, though it wouldn’t be surprising if it did happen occasionally.

eBird Hotspot: Cemetery Road Fields

—Todd M. Day, August 2020

Rectortown Short-eared Owl Fields

Formerly a reliable winter magnet for Short-eared Owls between November and March, it appears that this spot has fallen out of favor with these charismatic raptors. The likely reason is the change in the condition of the main field, which in the winter of 2005 had a dazzling 24 Short-eareds in view at once. At that time, the field was cut relatively short (at about 18 inches), with many tussocks and clumps of grass, as well as spots with shorter grass, visible bare spots, and some wet spots. In recent winters, the plants have been much taller, with some tree saplings present. As such, both the owls and their day-shift counterpart Northern Harriers seem to no longer prefer this specific location.

The general area north of Rectortown does have many hundreds of acres that appear from a distance like the fields preferred by the owls in their heyday, thus it’s possible that there are still Short-eareds nearby. Hopefully they’ll be discovered again.

The birding while waiting for the owls was always interesting. Those who arrived early enough were often treated to American Tree Sparrows in the tangle at the edge of the owl field. The decline of that species in Fauquier County has made that bird hard to find anywhere, with none being reported here since 2017. Other species that were sometimes encountered were American Woodcocks (either peenting in late winter/early spring or commuting from their daytime hideout to somewhere to feed. Barn Owls were sometimes heard screeching, and Barred Owls would hoot from time to time. American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, and Bald Eagles were often noted.

How to bird this hotspot: The hotspot is located along Crenshaw Road (VA 624). About one-half mile north of the intersection with Rectortown Road (VA 710) there is a small structure on the east side of the road. It is a rectangular gazebo, and it sits about 75 feet off of the road. There is an entry way to a parking lot that services the gazebo, which is typically chained closed. There is enough room between the road and the chain for 2-3 vehicles to park (if parked smartly). The gazebo itself is not public, nor is the parking area. However, in close to two decades of birders parking at the entrance, no stories have emerged of folks being confronted by landowners or law enforcement.

Once parked, look across the street, scanning between the west and north for harriers or owls flying over the field. A scope isn’t necessary, though it will offer better views at any perched birds. The wall/wire fence that borders the field has old tangles of vegetation, and once was a regular spot for American Tree Sparrow. These days it is typically Field Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, and Northern Mockingbirds. A lingering Chipping Sparrow isn’t unexpected.

As a word of caution, should this venue become a favored haunt to Short-eareds again, aside from the parking area described above, this is little other parking. There are several houses on this road, most located close to the vantage point. Parking in the road is ill-advised, and will likely result in negative interactions with local residents.

Lastly, prior to this viewing spot being discovered, these birds were often observed from Rectortown Road (VA 710), just under a mile north of the turnoff for Crenshaw. There, the only place to get a car off the road was at two gates to two different fields on opposite sides of the street. Rectortown Road is also a major road in this part of the county, and traffic legally drives at 45 MPH here. If there were cars parked along it, most drivers would be unlikely to appreciate it.

eBird Hotspot: Rectortown Short-eared Owl Fields

—Todd Michael Day, August 2020

Carr Lane

Carr Lane is a lazy, rolling, dirt road that runs 3.2 miles between US 17 in the west (Winchester Road), to the eastern end at Delaplane Grade Road (VA 712). Despite its length, the habitat changes are subtle. It is largely an old road that runs along a treed or scrubby hedgerow that divides the various farms. There are stretches with long stone walls, and other parts with wire fences. Along most of the road, the fields beyond the trees are in view. Sometimes the expanse is great, and in other places less so. Some of the fields are cattle pastures, others planted in corn or soybeans. At no point does the road enter proper forest, though at times there will be a forest on one side of the road. There are no specific spots where birders traditionally stop to find birds. It is likely that those who bird here regularly have their own favorite little patches. One exception might be where Gap Run crosses the road. This area is sometimes good for Wilson’s Snipe, and often White-crowned Sparrows can be nearby—though they can be found in a few spots along the road. In fact, much of the suite of birds possible along Carr Lane can be found almost anywhere along the road.

Nearly all the eBird checklists from this road are from autumn through spring. Of the 117 checklists submitted at the time of this writing, all but two were submitted between October and May; the bulk of them January through March. It is likely that folks visit this road when birding nearby Sky Meadows State Park, which is also somewhat an autumn-through-spring destination.

It’s a safe bet that the birders who drive this road are drawn here by the flocks of sparrows encountered along the way, as well as rogue Red-headed Woodpecker sightings. Also alluring might be the open vistas to search the sky or the pastures for potentially interesting birds. While neither Golden Eagle nor any Shrike have ever been reported here, it seems a reasonable spot for either. Likewise, a wayward Say’s Phoebe would feel at home along this road. It is a road that one could sweep the seven local woodpeckers in a single outing; not something that can be done just anywhere. There is no reason that Carr Lane couldn’t be a good summer birding spot as well. But with only a single eBird checklist submitted between June and July, it is hard to say what species are present.

The typical method of birding this road is for people to drive it slowly, from one end to the other. Some folks might bird the entirety from their vehicles, while others might get out here or there to work a sparrow flock. The road is little-traveled by other traffic. When other cars are encountered they are typically traveling slowly as well, and there is usually ample room nearby to let each other pass. It is much more likely to encounter folks walking recreationally here, or even people on horseback.

Near the western end (and the intersection with US 17), there is a view of Fleetwood Farm Pond to the north. Modest-sized goose flocks will sometimes be seen here. A Ross’s Goose was on this pond in October/November 2013. There was also a Clay-colored Sparrow photographed at this spot in January 2017. As eBird best practices aim for more discrete checklists, it is asked that if folks are only stopping to look at this pond (as well as the brushy edges of the road here) that they use the “Fleetwood Farm Pond Number Two” hotspot. That said, it is by no means improper to include birds on the farm pond within a traveling count along Carr Lane.

eBird Hotspot: Carr Lane

—Todd Michael Day

Harrison Road

As is so common in rural birding, a seemingly-typical stretch of road has become a regular stop for birders. This is usually due to the discovery of a rare or uncommon species that frequents the location, which then becomes known as a seasonal or regular spot to observe that species. As birders visit the spot regularly, often other habitat-specific, low-density, or notable species are found there as well. Nowhere in Fauquier County is that evolution more evident than Harrison Road (SR 750).

Lined with expansive, private farmland, and stretching a mile and a half in a roughly east-west direction, Harrison Road was “discovered” in the late 1990s as a reliable spot to scour massive Canada Goose flocks. A world-renowned ornithologist once remarked that he found the geese that wintered along this road to be the wintering epicenter for the species, offering that he’d never known of a spot where more of them congregated annually. For about fifteen years, there would be tens of thousands of geese seen in the general area, often in the cornfields and the one visible pond along this road (as well as spending time at nearby Belvoir Pond). These goose flocks were reliable for containing such scarce species as Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Ross’s Goose, and locally rare Snow Goose. Unfortunately for birders (and perhaps the geese), the landowners began to discourage the geese from congregating here by planting tall vegetation around the rim of the pond. Since geese prefer to be able to walk into or out of a pond from the nearby fields, this tactic was successful. There are still winters where a couple thousand geese might be around, but the days of five-digit counts are in the past. Aside from land-use changes, in general the number of Canada Geese wintering in this part of Fauquier County is considerably less than it was around 2015 and before. That said, it is still a reasonable chance that the state’s first Pink-footed Goose could be found here.

Because of its proximity to Northern Virginia, as well as its wide-open habitat, Harrison Road has always been attractive to birders from the more populated counties to the east. As birders explored Harrison Road, other uncommon and locally rare species were discovered. In all seasons one can find Eastern Meadowlarks, Field and Song Sparrows, Eastern Bluebirds, and often Common Ravens. Aside from the Geese mentioned above, Harrison Road has recently become the most reliable spot near Northern Virginia for Short-eared Owls. It also offers a chance at some other species that aren’t in the densely settled suburbs, such as Vesper Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, American Pipit, Bobolink, and American Kestrel.

How to bird Harrison Road: The time of year you visit will typically dictate what species are most likely encountered, as well as some of the best ways to bird it. Harrison Road is primarily a half-the-year birding spot (late fall through early spring are best), but sometimes offers interesting birding outside of the more productive months. Viewing is often distant, and a scope is a must for waterfowl. Also, Harrison Road has two distinctly different ends to it. The eastern end is usually the spot for waterfowl, as that’s where the lone pond is viewed. There are large fields on both sides of the road here, with the north typically planted in corn or soybeans, and the south used for grazing horses or cattle (often some impressive longhorns). If geese are present, they’ll be grazing on the north side of the road.

As mentioned above, the number of wintering Canada Geese in Fauquier County (especially true here) has dropped considerably in recent years. The pond at the east end of the road is far less visible as well, due to taller vegetation. It is still a spot that can hold a few species of ducks, though typically it is the expected Ring-neckeds, Bufflehead, and Hooded Mergansers. Sometimes Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, Gadwall, or a few Green-winged Teal might be around. Even less frequently Canvasbacks and Redheads will drop in. This end of the road is also often good for Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and wintering American Kestrels. Short-eared Owls also winter here, and at dusk and dawn from late November through early March, observers scan the southern pasture searching for these gigantic moths floating aloft. They often alight on the fence posts in the middle of the pasture. In years when there are many, they’ll dot the trees across the field (up to ten have been seen here at once). There’s a gate on the north side of the road about a quarter-mile west of the intersection with Old Tavern Road (VA 245). This spot is easy to park safely, and at dusk one is unlikely to interfere with farming operations (but please don’t stray too far from your vehicle, just in case). In general the shoulders are wide enough (and not too deeply ditched) to get a vehicle off the road.

Also in winter, there is sometimes a large roving blackbird flock that will scavenge in the corn or soy stubble and is able to be scrutinized in this area. There are a couple patches of the eastern-end fields that hold water after rain, and sometimes Wilson’s Snipe can be found probing the mud. Savannah Sparrows are regular here in winter.

The western end of Harrison Road is better for sparrows. At the intersection with Belvoir Road (SR 709), on the north side of Harrison, there is a patch of brush and thicket that is close to the road (but is still on private property and clearly demarcated by a stone wall). Often one can work this area and find Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated, Song, Field, Savannah and sometimes a couple of Swamp Sparrows. In some years, there can be a huge flock of White-crowned Sparrows working the edge along the wall. It wouldn’t be a bad place to discover Virginia’s first Golden-crowned Sparrow. American Tree Sparrows were once regular in appropriate habitat in Fauquier County, but those days are waning. There is still decent habitat for that species at the western end of the road; one was last reported here in 2018.

As spring approaches, late March can be a good time to begin looking for Vesper Sparrows here. Both the west and the east ends of the road will sometimes have flocks of up to a dozen or more of them, usually from the last week of March through about the middle of April. Lucky birders will sometimes even hear them singing here.

When the Tree Swallows arrive and spring begins to settle in, the geese and winter raptors leave; some ducks will linger into April. Bobolinks often stopover and stay for a while in the fields on the southeast end of the field. Grasshopper Sparrows try to nest here, but often the pasture’s grass is cut early (though some years not at all).

Some of the not-so-regular birds that have been found along Harrison Road include Upland Sandpiper, Loggerhead Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk, Lapland Longspur, Dickcissel, and Eurasian Wigeon. The Black Skimmer here in 2003 was displaced by Hurricane Isabel and was present for a few days.

eBird Hotspot: Harrison Road

—Todd Michael Day

Fleetwood Farm Pond Number Two

This small farm pond is best viewed from the western end of Carr Lane* near the intersection with US 17 (Winchester Road). The pond is north of the road, about 350 meters away. A Ross’s Goose that hung around for a week or so at the end of October 2013 is how this pond became a hotspot, and those sightings account for all the reports submitted from this location. Still, it is a pond that does host modest numbers of Canada Geese from time to time, and folks headed to nearby Sky Meadows SP (or perhaps on to Blandy Farm in Clarke County) might luck into another interesting bird by visiting here. Road noise can certainly be an issue here, as US 17 is a main thoroughfare.

This same intersection had a Clay-colored Sparrow in January 2017, and the brush around the edges of Carr Lane can be productive for sparrows in winter. It is likely possible to view this pond by peering through the trees along US 17, however it isn’t advised to bird along that heavily-traveled highway.

*Carr Lane is itself an eBird hotspot. Some folks include birds noted on this pond on Carr Lane checklists. eBird best practices aim for more discrete checklists, so it is asked that if folks are only stopping to look at this pond, as well as the brushy edges of the road here to use the “Fleetwood Farm Pond Number Two” hotspot.

eBird Hotspot: Fleetwood Farm Pond Number Two

—Todd Michael Day

Fauquier County Landfill

Once the most reliable spot in Fauquier County for gulls, the Fauquier County Landfill is no longer functioning as a large commercial landfill. Instead, since 2015, the property is only a collection site for garbage and other materials to be hauled to other landfills. It has left quite a gull void for Fauquier’s local larid lovers (as well as roving county birders looking to add a few species) as most encounters of gulls away from the landfill were birds commuting, roosting, or loafing on fresh water—having been drawn to the county because of the landfill.

While this landfill was overshadowed by other landfills in the region, the ten species of gulls found here during its years of operation were impressive. California Gull was the rarest of the finds here, reported in multiple years. Aside from the region’s expected inland gulls (Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed), the landfill was a somewhat reliable spot for Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous, and Iceland Gulls, with a Thayer’s record as well. Rounding out the gull list was perhaps the rarest gull for the site: Laughing Gull.

Aside from gulls, the landfill was reliable for American Pipit, Common Raven, Bald Eagle, and hosted a large winter flock of Fish Crows. It was covered for years during The Plains/Airlie CBC, often delivering a half-dozen or more unique species to the annual tally.

eBird Hotspot: Fauquier County Landfill

—Todd Michael Day

American Bird Conservancy Office

What happens when you form an organization, find a small town location to house it, and staff it with ornithologists, bird conservationists, and wild bird enthusiasts? They put out bird feeders, scan the sky on their lunch breaks, and submit lots of eBird checklists from their office.

As its name implies, this is the headquarters of the American Bird Conservancy, the continent’s premier bird conservation organization. Their office sits in The Plains, and shares an ample parking lot. While not a birding destination in the typical sense, many folks do have reason to visit the office, and this hotspot was set up to accumulate checklists at a single location. If you’re ever out in The Plains (a quaint village that offers shopping and several good restaurants) you can find your way to 4249 Loudoun Ave, The Plains, Virginia, make a donation, and submit a checklist.

eBird Hotspot: American Bird Conservancy Office

Owner/Manager: American Bird Conservancy

—Todd Michael Day, August 2020

Barrel Oak Winery

This scenic winery (and brewery!) is one of many located in Fauquier County, however this one is arguably the county's most festive. The land here is sprawling and typical of northern Fauquier County open-country birding. One should expect species associated with hedgerows, fields, and vineyards. With plenty of open sky, raptors should be frequently encountered here throughout the year, and especially during fall migration. Barn Owls have been reported from the silos nearby, so en evening encounter isn't out of the question. This hotspot was created to consolidate sightings from this frequently-visited winery.

Accessibility: Open year round. Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Friday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm; Saturday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Wineries often have seasonal hours that vary.

Official Website: Barrel Oak Winery

eBird Hotspot: Barrel Oak Winery

—Todd Michael Day

Rectortown Road Bridge over Goose Creek

This interesting little spot has become an eBird hotspot due to a small colony of Cliff Swallows that nest under the bridge. The bridge crosses Goose Creek, the largest flowing river in the northern reaches of Fauquier County. The Cliff Swallows show up around late April and can be found throughout summer. When standing on the bridge, the vantage point offers an atypical view of Cliff Swallows, as they often fly straight at you as they head to their nests. Please see the note below about birding from the bridge itself.

Aside from the Cliff Swallows, Warbling Vireo is a regular breeder here, and their melodic song can be heard throughout the nesting season. Other summer residents are Yellow Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Belted Kingfisher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo is almost certain to be heard. Louisiana Waterthrush can sometimes be heard calling downstream. During migration, Spotted Sandpipers are often seen on the sandbar in the middle of Goose Creek.

There is no public access to the underside of the bridge as the land is all privately owned. Caution needs to be taken by any observer birding this spot, as there is just enough traffic that constant vigilance is a must. There is a pull-off on the southeast side of the bridge (on the north side of the road) for a single car. On the northwestern side of the bridge there is barely enough shoulder to park a car safely. The bridge itself has enough room for a pedestrian to get off the roadway to scan the creek below, but again, keeping a watchful eye on traffic is a must. Fortunately the cars can be heard from some distance as they approach.

This site is rarely visited in fall, winter, and early spring. 

eBird Hotspot: Rectortown Road Bridge over Goose Creek

—Todd Michael Day

Rady Park

This small, municipal park is much more known for its community appeal than birding. Characterized by multi-use fields, a baseball diamond, a volleyball pit, an excellent playground, and a gazebo, there are also interpretive signs along a stream (Cattail Branch) though a small arboretum. This little park does boast a pretty good list of species, with well over 100 tallied. Low-density migrants such as Connecticut Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Vesper Sparrow, Philadelphia Vireo, Black-billed Cuckoo, Summer Tanager, and Lincoln's Sparrow have been observed here, most of them along Cattail Branch, in the scrubbier patches that are along the fence. Keen observers who look skyward may luck into one of the dozen or so raptor species that have been observed in or over the park.  

Best bets for birding this park would be to walk the perimeter, keeping an eye and ear out for movement and chip-notes. Spring and fall seem to be the most likely seasons to find something unusual. A wintering vagrant wouldn't be completely unexpected here either. Searching the pasture to the north of the park has resulted in finding Eastern Meadowlarks, Vesper Sparrows, and White-crowned Sparrows. Scanning the horizon along this side of the park is a decent way to spot flying raptors.

Free public parking is available and the park may be accessed from sunrise to sunset.

Official Website: Rady Park

eBird Hotspot: Rady Park

—Todd Michael Day

Grassdale Road

Grassdale Road (VA 755) is a popular spur road for folks who are birding in the Remington area. The road runs northeast from Sumerduck Road (VA 651), and carries very little traffic, owing to the presence of only four homes along its length.

Immediately upon turning onto the road, birders visiting in summer will hear the song of Blue Grosbeak, and possibly Savannah Sparrow, which is a scarce breeder in the county. Horned Lark has also been confirmed nesting in the fields along the road. This is a spot worth checking in all four seasons. Aside from summer breeders, in late summer and fall there is the possibility of shorebirds dropping into the fields. Upland Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and American Golden-Plovers have been observed in August/September, depending on what crops were planted and harvested. Red-headed Woodpeckers nest in the woodlot to the northwest, and often the young can be found on the fence posts along the road in fall. In winter, Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, American Pipits, Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, American Kestrels, and the occasional Merlin are possible. Also worth checking is the stream crossing about a half-mile northeast from Sumerduck Road for White-crowned Sparrow in winter and the shoulder seasons. There have been massive blackbird flocks that have produced the expected species, as well as Brewer's and Yellow-headed Blackbirds (11/13/2002). Spring will sometimes bring Bobolink flocks (again, depending on the crops planted), as well as Vesper Sparrow, and early Grasshopper Sparrows. Summer offers a chance to hear Grasshopper Sparrows, American Kestrel, and the aforementioned nesting species. Eastern Meadowlark is present year-round. Mostly the landowners and residents along the road have been tolerant, if not receptive, to birders being along the road. 

eBird Hotspot: Grassdale Road

—Todd Michael Day

Belvoir Pond

Located near The Plains along State Road 709 (Belvoir Road), this pond is sometimes shown on maps as Bowmans Pond. It is a private farm pond, and access is from the road only. There is a wide pull-off at a gate on the southern end of the pond where two cars can park easily. (There is a second pull-off about a half-mile north of the one described above [just across from the western end of Harrison Road]. It is more distant from the bulk of the water, thus the birding from this spot isn’t quite as productive as parking at the other gate. This gate also gets more use from the farmers who are working the property. Also, it can be treacherous to back out of this spot onto Belvoir Road. It is best to use the parking spot described first!) The entire property is posted with no trespassing signs, so wandering closer to the pond isn’t allowed without permission. The pond is relatively large, and the upper reaches are quite far away. This pond is best birded with a scope.

Waterfowl is the primary quarry here, and fall, winter, and spring are the best times to visit. Some 30 species of waterfowl have been reported here (though only 28 are logged into eBird). Rarer species include Ross’s, Snow, White-fronted, and Cackling Geese, as well as Black and Surf Scoters. Other notable waterbirds include Red-necked Grebe, and a Leach’s Storm-Petrel after Hurricane Isabel! Throughout the years, the water level of the pond is sometimes quite low, offering exposed mud. In those instances, it can be good for shorebirds and even bitterns and rails. There have been counts close to 100 Wilson’s Snipe seen here during those times. The drop in water level is unpredictable and not typically tied to weather conditions. On several occasions the water level had dropped because the dam failed!

There is a large Purple Martin colony at the home just to the west, and the pond is a good place to scope for other swallows in season. Orchard Oriole and Red-headed Woodpecker are other interesting birds that can sometimes be found here. The silo (which requires permission to access) has never produced Barn Owl, though Black Vultures have nested in it.

eBird Hotspot: Belvoir Pond

—Todd Michael Day