One of Virginia’s newest state parks, Seven Bends State Park has already amassed a bird list of over 100 species. Much of the land for this park is from the old Camp Lupton, which was owned by the Massanutten Military Academy. The Camp Lupton area around the north entrance to the park is the favored area for birding at the park so far. An already existing gravel road takes you east from the parking area along the edge of some hay fields with some nice shrubby growth on the other side of the road. The hay fields have hosted open country birds such as Eastern Meadowlark, American Tree, Savannah, and Vesper Sparrows while the brush on the south side of the road is often excellent for migrants. Lincoln’s Sparrow, Mourning and Wilson’s Warblers have all be spotted along this stretch of road. Another trail running along the river has just been completed in this area as well. This gives birders a better opportunity to see Wood Duck, Red-headed Woodpecker, Louisiana Waterthrush, and occasionally Yellow-throated Warbler and Osprey along the river. Another trail splits off the gravel road and goes uphill to the south, eventually connecting to the southern portion of the park. This offers a better opportunity to find more woodland birds. Even with fairly limited visits from birders so far this park has produced a good variety of species, so one expects many more interesting finds will turn up as the park continues to be developed and visitors increase.
Accessibility: Currently there are very limited amenities at this park as DCR is still in the process of developing the park, foot traffic is welcome from both the north at the end of Lupton Road and from the end of S. Hollingsworth road at the south end of the park. The north entrance now has a gravel parking area, a canoe launch, and pit toilets. As of January 2020, all trails are either dirt or gravel.
Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
eBird Hotspot: Seven Bends State Park
—James Fox