Bles Park

This 124-acre park has a 1-mile loop trail from the parking lot, a portion of which is the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which runs through the property. Soccer fields surround the parking lot. This property has a mix of habitats, which includes open fields, woods, wetlands as well as the Broad Run tributary and Potomac River. A portion of the loop trail parallels the Potomac River which meets the confluence of Broad Run, where the trail turns and parallels that body of water as well. There is a segment of an “inner trail” that runs alongside the wetlands.

Acadian Flycatchers, Brown Creepers, chickadees and several species of woodpecker and the like can be found in the woods bordering the Potomac River. Sightings of Red-shouldered Hawks are routine. In the spring and fall, warblers can be spotted all around the property. One popular spot is at the confluence of Broad Run and the Potomac River. A variety of waterfowl can be found on all the bodies of water. Wood Ducks have nested in the wetlands. Sparrows enjoy field and trail edges in various spots along the trail and soccer fields. The property attracts rare and difficult-to-find species, especially during migration. Marsh Wren, American Bittern, Little Blue Heron, a Golden Eagle and even a Mourning Warbler have been found here. Regular walks are led here on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 8am.

Accessibility: The park is open Dawn to Dusk. A couple of words of caution: 1) When soccer games are scheduled, there can be limited to no parking available and patrons must either wait for a free spot, or search for parallel parking on Bles Park Drive. 2) This park has planned “enhancements.” Beginning in early 2023, surveys and improvements will begin in the park. Information about the enhancements can be found here. Bathrooms are in the parking lot.

Owner/Manager: Loudoun County Parks and Recreation

eBird Hotspot: Bles Park

—Nicole Hutcheson, January 2023

Claude Moore Park

This unique park has two rather distinct areas: a Heritage Farm Museum area featuring historical structures and two ponds; and a segment with a recreation center and ball fields. The best birdwatching opportunities are offered around the 2 ponds, fields and woods in the Heritage Farm Museum area at 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road. Note that this is not considered the main entrance for the park, but it is a great place to park for proximity to the Visitor Center and birding opportunities.

There are also 8 color-blazed trails of varying lengths through a myriad of forested areas of the park. A trail map can be found here.

Red-Breasted Nuthatches enjoy the coniferous trees behind the Visitors Center and on the edge of the parking lot. Sparrows thoroughly enjoy the tall grasses near the first, smaller pond named Frogshackle Pond. Baltimore and Orchard Orioles can be found in trees along Vestals Gap Road. The occasional Barred Owl can be spotted off the Green Trail which runs behind the second, larger pond, called Wildlife Pond. Warblers can be spotted all around the property during migration with hotspots behind the large shelter across from the Visitor’s Center, and the woods and trees that border a second shelter along Vestal’s Gap Road. A variety of waterfowl enjoy the ponds with a hard-to-find Little Blue Heron and Black-Crowned Night Heron making appearances in recent years. And don’t forget to keep an eye to the sky as bald eagles and hawks soar overhead. In September, Broad Winged Hawks often make an appearance during their migration to Central and South America.

Accessibility: The park is open Dawn to Dusk. Bathrooms are in the Visitor Center and are available even when the Visitor Center is closed.

Owner/Manager: Loudoun County Parks and Recreation

eBird Hotspot: Claude Moore Park

—Nicole Hutcheson, January 2023

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve

This almost 700-acre property just outside Leesburg has a great mix of habitat, including a lot of open fields with many miles of trails. Prairie Warblers, Willow Flycatchers, Field Sparrows and the like will breed in the fields. Mature forest near the entrance and along the edges of the property complement the fields. A couple ponds, a seep and Goose Creek provide water in several different areas of the property. Regular walks are led here on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8am.

Accessibility: See hours on the Banshee Reeks website - most recently closed on Monday and Fridays, but open all other days.  Gate is locked when the park is closed.  Plenty of parking and a nature center with bathrooms.

Owner/Manager: Loudoun County Parks and Recreation

eBird Hotspot: Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve

—Bryan Henson, March 2021

Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project--South

Often simply called the Dulles Wetlands, this property is a wetland that borders Goose Creek. Fantastic bird sightings have been recorded on this property and the ponds/marshes provide great habitat for waterfowl. Visits are only possible through prearranged access. If you are interested in finding out more about visiting this property, please contact Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

Accessibility: This is a restricted access site for which you must either attend a scheduled group walk through Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy or have special permission.

Owner/Manager: Dulles Greenway; access facilitated by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Hotspot: Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project--South

—Bryan Henson, March 2021

Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project

Often simply called the Dulles Wetlands, this property is a wetland that borders Goose Creek. Fantastic bird sightings have been recorded on this property and the ponds/marshes provide great habitat for waterfowl. Visits are only possible through prearranged access. If you are interested in finding out more about visiting this property, please contact Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

Accessibility: This is a restricted access site for which you must either attend a scheduled group walk through Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy or have special permission.

Owner/Manager: Dulles Greenway; access facilitated by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Hotspot: Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project

—Bryan Henson, March 2021

Algonkian Regional Park--Sanctuary Trail

Sanctuary Trail provides a wonderful area to bird in eastern Loudoun County.  It contains several ponds, a significant marsh, and is bordered by Sugarland Run creek and the Potomac River.  Similar to Algonkian Regional Park, this park is a great place to spot mixed flocks during migration. During the winter, the ponds and river can be home to waterfowl and herons. The trail and marsh can also yield a nice selection of sparrows – Fox, American Tree, Lincoln's, Swamp, Field, Song, White-throated, etc. The marsh has also provided a handful of Virginia Rail and Sora sightings. Most years, Red-headed Woodpeckers spend their time along the creek, giving a full complement of local woodpecker species. Barred Owl and Red-shouldered Hawks breed in these woods.

 Accessibility: There is no dedicated parking and the most appropriate place to park to get access to the property is at the Potomack Lakes Sportsplex. The Potomac Heritage Trail runs along the north side of the sportsplex. Follow the trail east (across the dam) until you see a paved path to the left near a playground. This paved path leads to the entrance of the preserve. The walk from the sportsplex to the preserve is roughly a mile. There is a path that leads to the park through a private neighborhood – that path is owned by the neighborhood and marked with No Trespassing signs, so please don't use that. No restrooms or port-a-potties.

 Owner/Manager: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Algonkian Regional Park--Sanctuary Trail

—Bryan Henson, March 2021

Algonkian Regional Park

Algonkian Regional Park comprises more than 800 acres of land along the Potomac River. It is run by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and yields to a variety of uses. Amenities include a golf course, a waterpark, cabins, mini golf, picnic pavilions, boat and RV storage, a boat ramp and a driving range.

The waterpark area and cabins

Mature forest with a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees surrounds the waterpark and cabins. A small brook runs between sections of the parking lots – this brook can provide great habitat for migrating birds to bathe. The tall mature trees surrounding the parking lots are often frequented by migrating birds in spring and fall, leading to the parking lot area sometimes being referred to as 'magical.' A path named the White Trail wanders through the woods among vernal pools and some wetlands.  The shrubs and trees get thick at times, providing good cover for thrushes and warblers alike.

The boat ramp and east

The trail from the boat ramp to the east runs along the Potomac River providing visual access to waterfowl, swallows, gulls, etc. At first light during migration, birds often fly into and along the shore, moving from tree to tree in search of food.  Warbling Vireos will breed close to the boat ramp.  The grassy area to the southeast of the boat ramp is often referred to as the 'Sparrow Field' – it is a wet field, so Marsh Wren and Wilson's Snipe have been found there. The most notable find in the field was a Nelson's Sparrow. Further down the trail, the scrubby area near the crew boat storage area often yields great birds.  The forest edge on the eastern side of the driving range has been very productive at times, yielding Mourning Warbler, Lincoln's Sparrow, Black-billed Cuckoo and many other warbler and flycatcher species.  The trail runs to the outlet of Sugarland Run which separates it from another hotspot: Algonkian Nature Preserve--Sanctuary Trail – there is no connection from this path. The forest at the end of the trail is often busy during migration. Wood Ducks, grebes and mergansers are commonly found where the creek joins the river. Occasionally low water will allow some minor mud/rock flats to form and shorebirds may work them.

The golf course

The edges of the golf course can provide a lot of good habitat –Rusty Blackbirds like the section near the entrance gate just as you enter the park. Prothonotary Warbler can often be found near the wet pools along the road. Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls have generally been common along the edges, particularly on the eastern parts of the course. Purple Martin boxes are found near the club house and are generally pretty active.

Accessibility: There are several parking areas throughout the park – no fee to park, but it can be crowded on weekends. Occasionally the park hosts special events, so be on the lookout for cross country meets, running races, crew competitions and other community celebrations. Bathrooms are near the picnic pavilions on the west side of park.

Owner/Manager: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

eBird Hotspot: Algonkian Regional Park

—Bryan Henson, March 2021

Upperville Battlefield Overlook

Located just north of the village of Upperville, this overlook marks the site of a Civil War battle between Union and Confederate cavalry under the commands of, respectively, Alfred Pleasonton and J.E.B. Stuart. The site is marked with an interpretive sign, and the parking area gives a panoramic view of largely open field habitat on both sides of Trappe Road. Walking about 30 yards to the north will bring you to the edge of a woodlot with a small rivulet running through. From the battlefield overlook, scan the skies and treeline on both sides for raptors, including Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle and American Kestrel, as well as Common Ravens. The fields are likely to host Eastern Meadowlarks, and in winter you may hear the musical calls of Horned Larks or American Pipits. The brush along the road is a good place to pish for sparrows, and in winter you may draw in a nice species assemblage, including White-crowneds. Walking down to the woodlot may boost your species total, but be mindful of traffic. Here you can expect woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and other woodland species. On the right spring day, this might be a fin spot to encounter a flock of migrating passerines.

Accessibility: The battlefield overlook is marked by a concrete parking pad that can accommodate two or three vehicles. Pull-off here, and you will have ample room to get out and scan the skies and treelines on both sides of Trappe Road. You can walk across the road to the gate on the other side for a better view, but the fields on both sides are private. There are no trails or other access apart from the parking area.

Owner/Manager: American Battlefield Trust

eBird Hotspot: Upperville Battlefield Overlook

—Matt Anthony, February 2021