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