Blackwater River Boat Ramp

The International Paper mill looms over this small boat launch, on the eastern edge of Franklin, that provides access to the Blackwater River. Birding here is fairly simple; the boat launch has a large parking lot bordered by a large mowed lawn to the west, and hemmed in by woods on the east and south. Most of the woods here are mixed deciduous, but there is a large tract of pine woods that backs right up to the southern end of the parking area. At all times of year, expect a good mix of edge species here including Chipping Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, and the like. The pines support both Pine Warbler and Brown-headed Nuthatch year-round, as well as breeding Yellow-throated Warblers that return by late March. In winter, check for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. The wood edges that border the parking area have a nice mix of tangled vegetation that can be good for sparrows in the fall and winter. White-throated Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, and Dark-eyed Junco are the most common, but Fox Sparrow has been reported and this would be a fine spot to kick up an uncommon migrant or wintering species such as a Lincoln’s or White-crowned. The riparian tangles here seem as though they could also support an overwintering warbler, flycatcher, or vireo; at the very least, Orange-crowned Warbler is a bird to watch for. Apart from the wood edges, this boat landing is just a short ways from the downtown area of Franklin, making it a good place to see typical suburban species including Mourning Dove, European Starling, House Finch, and House Sparrow. In the summer, the air will be filled with the chatter of Chimney Swifts. A short distance west of the parking area, there is a wastewater treatment facility where staging swallows sometimes congregate in the late summer. Tree, Barn, and Northern Rough-winged are the typical species, but a Bank or Cliff could easily be found as well.

Though the boat landing provides access to the Blackwater River, the water is not really the main birding feature here. At this point, the river is so narrow that it is hardly more than a large creek, and it does not offer much in the way of opportunities to see true waterbirds. Occasionally a Double-crested Cormorant may be around, and in winter the river may host a Pied-billed Grebe, but it is not a particularly likely spot for ducks. During the winter, the water does draw Ring-billed Gulls and Fish Crows that loaf around the parking area hoping for a handout. Perhaps the most exciting river-associated bird at this spot, Prothonotary Warblers breed along this stretch of the Blackwater and can easily be heard and seen during the breeding season.

Note: For those concerned with county listing, the Blackwater River forms the boundary between the City of Franklin and Isle of Wight County. The line falls roughly midway across the river, but fortunately it is narrow enough at this spot that gauging the halfway point is relatively easy.

eBird Hotspot: Blackwater River Boat Ramp

—Matt Anthony, August 2020

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High Street Park

There isn’t much to this tiny city park, situated on a small trapezoid of land formed by the meeting of Clay Street, High Street, and 4th Avenue. It is located in a primarily residential area in the heart of Franklin, with no dedicated parking lot but ample street parking. The park is mostly open lawn with a smattering of shade trees, though the north edge has a denser line of foliage. Park benches are placed throughout, and there are also trash receptables and bags for cleaning up pet waste. A wrought iron fence runs the perimeter of the park, with multiple gates to allow entry. Birding the park is straightforward, and will typically turn up a mix of suburban woodland species. Brown-headed Nuthatch has been reported here, and a May record of Blackpoll Warbler suggests that this park could host migrants on the right day. Beware of calling bobwhite, as one of the houses around the corner has a caged flock that are frequently audible from the park.

eBird Hotspot: High Street Park

—Matt Anthony

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Beechwood Drive Lake

This large, wooded lake is located on the northern edge of Franklin in a housing development called Village at Wood’s Edge. The lake is ringed by Beechwood Drive, which becomes Oakwood Drive at its southern end where it crosses the dam. Viewing from the dam is the best way to bird the lake, as this vantage point gives you a clear view of almost all of the water. The only other vantage points are gaps between houses, which are less-than-ideal both for the poor views and potential to disturb residents. Though the lake is the main feature at this hotspot, it has thus far proved very poor for waterbirds, with Canada Goose, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, and Double-crested Cormorant the only species reported in eBird as of February 2020. Nonetheless, it is worth at least a quick check in winter. Even if waterbirds are absent, the lake has a nice mix of deciduous and pine trees that make it an excellent place to encounter woodland species. In winter, this is an easy spot to find most of the winter woodland suite, including Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet. Some of the homes have feeders, which attract a nice mix of suburban species that may sometimes hold a less common visitor such as a Pine Siskin. The pines are suitable for Brown-headed Nuthatches, which can be found year-round. During the breeding season, listen for the songs of Yellow-throated Warblers and Ovenbirds.

eBird Hotspot: Beechwood Drive Lake

—Matt Anthony

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Pretlow Industrial Park

Due to its undeveloped state, the fields at Pretlow are the premier location in the City of Franklin to find open country birds. Birders who cruise slowly on Progress Parkway should scan the fields on both sides and listen for species such as Eastern Meadowlark, Horned Lark, and in the appropriate seasons, various sparrows including Savannah, Vesper, and Grasshopper. Often there is a kestrel perched on the telephone wires. When the fields are flooded, they can be a prime spot for migrating shorebirds including Least, Semipalmated, and Pectoral Sandpipers; Semipalmated Plover; Wilson’s Snipe; and both yellowlegs. On occasion, rarer species such as Stilt Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, and Upland Sandpiper have been documented here. In winter, the fields also sometimes host large mixed blackbird flocks, which are worth scanning for rarities. During the summer months, keep an eye out for Mississippi Kites soaring over the fields. In recent years, these fields have been planted more regularly, which has considerably diminished the shorebirding here.

As you come in on Progress Parkway, you will see a building to your left serviced by a paved road. If you turn onto this road and follow it, it eventually becomes a gravel two-track which leads to a small pump station building. Here, you can get out and pish the wet, grassy depression for species such as Swamp Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, and House Wren.

If you follow Progress Parkway to the end, you will come to a distribution center with a parking lot that wraps around behind the building. There are a few drainage ponds and wet ditches here that are worth checking for shorebirds or herons. This spot also backs up to a wood edge that birders can work for mixed passerine flocks.

On the north side of the fields is a larger pond which can be viewed from Morton Street. The pond is posted, so birders should not get out and walk around it, but there is a pull-off from which it can be quickly scanned. In the winter months, this spot occasionally hosts waterfowl, though it can be very hit-or-miss. There are also sometimes large groups of gulls, typically Ring-billed, though Great Black-backed has been recorded and other species are possible. This spot also sometimes has a large Canada Goose flock, which has yet to produce a rarity, but is worth checking when the birds are present.

Accessibility: Located at the very southern tip of the city, this 150-acre site is planned for development as an industrial park. At present, only a few businesses have moved in, and the remainder of the area is undeveloped agricultural fields. Pretlow Industrial Park is situated adjacent to US-58, and there is a paved entrance road the bisects the park. There is generally little or no traffic, and birders can slowly cruise the entrance road. At the end of the entrance road is a distribution center with parking.

Owner/Manager: City of Franklin

eBird Hotspot: Pretlow Industrial Park

—Matt Anthony

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