Montpelier, the historic home of our fourth president, James Madison, is a boon both to history buffs and birders alike, offering 2,650 acres of grounds open for exploration. Miles of trails take you through meadows, pastureland, gardens, and some of the Piedmont’s finest forests. However, this presidential residence, open to the public for decades, has only recorded 120 species and fewer than 100 eBird checklists submitted.
The extensive trail network offers access to a wide variety of habitats. The area between Laundry Road and Farm Road is full of excellent weedy fields and edge habitat ideal for sparrows in fall and winter. A small pond lies at the south end of these fields, and the marshy area at the back could potentially turn up a Marsh Wren or other passerines of similar habitat preference. This area is a good place to look for species like Orchard Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Indigo Bunting, and Blue Grosbeak in the summer, and seems like an excellent place to turn up uncommon fall migrants like Lincoln’s Sparrow and Nashville Warbler. Large numbers of Palm Warblers have been seen here in late October, and a thorough search could certainly turn up something rarer. The pastureland to the east of Farm Road and the area around the race track are good places to find breeding Eastern Kingbirds and Grasshopper Sparrows, and could turn up Savannah or Vesper Sparrows in migration. The Landmark Forest at Montpelier is a fantastic example of a remnant stand of old-growth Piedmont Basic-Oak-Hickory forest, with massive examples of various oaks and tuliptree. The trails through this forest offer spring visitors chances for a diversity of warbler species, and breeding species in these forests include Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Wood Thrush, and Scarlet Tanager. Species such as Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, American Redstart, and Kentucky Warbler all could potentially breed, though no one really visits in the summer to find out.
A typical route is to park in the gravel lot at Lewis Hall, then walk Laundry Road, Farm Road, and the trail in the weedy field between the two roads, then head on down the trail that leads behind the schooling barn complex east of Farm Road into the forest. There are convenient maps posted at trail intersections to help you find your way.
Birders in the Central Virginia region would do well to check out Montpelier at any time of year, its diversity of habitats means that something interesting is always possible. Notable records for the hotspot include Tundra Swan, Golden Eagle, and Kentucky Warbler.
Accessibility: The gates are open from 9am to 5pm daily, which unfortunately limits early morning birding. Convenient maps are posted at trail intersections to help navigate the property.
Owner/Manager: James Madison’s Montpelier
eBird Hotspot: James Madison’s Montpelier
—Drew Chaney
