Carson Safety Rest Area

This hotspot has been created to consolidate eBird data from one of the over 40 highway rest areas maintained and operated by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Currently there are rest areas along Interstates 95, 64, 66, 81, 85, and 77 and Route 13. Often (though not always) there are corresponding northbound and southbound rest areas at roughly the same point; in these cases, a separate hotspot exists for each. Generally speaking, highway rest areas are not ideal places for birding due to both marginal habitat and excessive road noise. Most are relatively open with some tall trees, but may be bordered by more extensive woods or fields. In instances where a particular rest area has unique birding features, efforts will be made to point those out. Notwithstanding the often marginal birding, highway rest stops are of interest for traveling birders looking to drop in eBird lists along their route – hence the creation of hotspots to consolidate reports from rest areas.

The Carson Safety Rest Area is perhaps the most well-birded rest stop on any of Virginia’s highways owing to its renown as a reliable Anhinga site. Since 2016, this rest area and the swamp on the opposite side of the interstate have hosted up to 6 Anhingas; these birds may be seen from the rest stop, at the Carson Wetland across I 95, or sometimes soaring over the highway. When checking the rest stop, there is a swamp formed by one of the branches of Rowanty Creek that is visible from the on-ramp. Scan here as you are turning into the rest area in hopes of seeing an Anhinga. If birding this rest area, it is also wise to keep your eyes skyward to scan for Mississippi Kites.

Accessibility: All highway rest areas are free and open to the public 24/7. They have ample parking spaces and usually some mix of amenities typically including bathrooms and vending machines. Some may have more extensive facilities including pet areas, picnic areas with grills, and welcome centers with maps and other travel information. Specific information on amenities can be found by following the link below to the VDOT website.

Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

eBird Hotspot: Carson Safety Rest Area

Jordan Point Marina

With over 100 species reported in eBird as of February 2020, Jordan Point Marina ranks third among hotspots in Prince George County and has the top list of any publicly accessible location. The marina is located on a promontory that juts out into the James River, making it an excellent vantage point for viewing the water. It sits right on Rt. 156 (Jordan Point Road), in the shadow of the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge – for birders coming from the north, it is the first left immediately after crossing the bridge, while from the south it is the last turn before Charles City County. For birders, the marina is also proximate to several other major birding destinations, including Shirley Plantation and Harrison Lake Fish Hatchery in northern Charles City, as well as City Point in Hopewell. Access is easy, as the marina has ample public parking. Most of the river viewing is south of Rt. 156, as the base of the bridge blocks makes it difficult to see much to the north.

As a birding spot, Jordan Point Marina can typically be a quick stop; most of its draw is in scoping the James for waterbirds. During winter, scanning the river is a good way to find ducks including Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Canvasback, scaup, and mergansers. Less common species including Common Goldeneye and White-winged Scoter have been seen here, and more thorough coverage might turn up more of note. There are sometimes large goose flocks on the river, but often these are distant and difficult to thoroughly scan. American Coots are usually swimming close among the boat docks, and sometimes there are large rafts of them. Winter also brings gulls, and while no unusual species have yet been recorded, the proximity to productive gull spots in Hopewell and Colonial Heights makes it worthwhile to thoroughly scan any flocks here. In the warmer months, Laughing Gulls and an assortment of terns replace the winter ducks and gulls. Royal Terns are general present from April through September, while Forster’s and Caspian are present for smaller windows during migration. Common and Black Tern have also been reported here, so be sure to carefully check terns on the pilings and over the river, particularly in spring and fall.

While the main attraction here is viewing the James, the hotspot has more to offer than just waterbirds. The marina is bordered on its south edge by a swampy woodlot that can be good for spring migrants or winter feeding flocks. There are also dense scrub tangles at the base of Rt. 156 that are good to check for passerines. Orange-crowned and Black-and-white Warblers have been spotted here in winter, and the riparian location likely attracts other overwintering passerines. The Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge often hosts a Peregrine Falcon, which is not always visible but can sometimes be seen hunting the pigeons that roost on the bridge. A pair has attempted nesting here. In the breeding season, the bridge also hosts a large Cliff Swallow colony that can easily be seen from the marina. This spot was the site of Virginia’s first Coastal Plain record of breeding Cliff Swallows, discovered by Fred Scott in 1979, and in 2017 the Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary identified this as the largest Coastal Plain colony in Virginia.

eBird Hotspot: Jordan Point Marina

—Matt Anthony

Sleep Inn Ponds

The Sleep Inn Ponds refers to a complex of adjacent ponds located behind the Sleep Inn & Suites at Fort Lee, off Rt. 144 just east of Colonial Heights. These ponds are birded almost exclusively between late November and the end of March, as they are one of the best waterfowl spots in Prince George County. The ponds are fenced off, but the best viewing is behind the Sleep Inn, where you can walk up a berm at the base of the fence and set up a scope. To access the ponds, park on the back side of the Sleep Inn parking lot away from the main building. You will have to cut through some vegetation to get to the fence, but there are a few informal paths you can follow to avoid the worst of it. Step carefully, as there are ditches that sometimes have standing water.

One you get to the fence, birding this spot is as simple as setting up your scope and scanning the waterfowl. Some of the vegetation around the fence is overgrown, so you may have to maneuver a bit to find the best window to view. These ponds almost always have a nice assortment of waterfowl, both dabbler and divers. Among the species that have been recorded in the past are Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. This spot has historically been particularly good for Aythya ducks, and careful scanning can often turn up Canvasback, Redhead, and both scaup. It only takes a few trips to this spot to build up a healthy waterfowl list for Prince George. A small population of Mute Swans is resident locally, and they can often be seen here. Apart from ducks, these ponds often get large congregations of gulls resting on the water. Presumably some of these birds are from the same large flock that frequents the nearby landfill and Colonial Heights Walmart pond. While the records from this spot have all been expected species, any large gull group is worth scanning closely since Iceland, Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed, and Black-headed have all been spotted nearby.

Waterbirds are clearly the highlight of this spot, but the scrubby vegetation around the base of the fence usually has some passerines that can be coaxed out with pishing. Mostly you will find typical edge species like kinglets, sparrows, and cardinals, but House Wren has been recorded here in winter and other uncommon overwinterers could turn up. Adjacent to the Sleep Inn parking lot is a weedy field that is usually a good place to see Field and Savannah Sparrows.

eBird Hotspot: Sleep Inn Ponds

—Matt Anthony