City of Staunton

Northern Harrier, © Alex Shipherd

The city of Staunton is situated in the middle of Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley, and has a population of more than 24,000. It is the home of Mary Baldwin University and features a variety of cultural institutions such as the American Shakespeare Center and the Heifetz International Music Institute, as well as beautiful parks, and nature trails. One of the main tourist attractions is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States. Thanks to a major historical restoration project that began in the 1990s, downtown Staunton now boasts one of the most picturesque main streets in the United States.  

The geography of Staunton is characterized by several prominent hills, most notably Betsy Bell Hill and Mary Gray Hill on the east side of town. Oak and hickory trees predominate in the wooded areas, along with some pines and other evergreen trees. As is the case elsewhere in the Shenandoah Valley, the ground below consists of porous “karst” limestone deposits with caverns. The waters flowing through Staunton (most notably, Lewis Creek in the middle of town) eventually reach the South Branch of the Shenandoah River via the Middle River.  

Depending on the time of year, a wide range of bird species can be observed within the city limits of Staunton. In the air above downtown, Chimney Swifts are common from April through September, and large migrating groups of swifts can be seen funneling into chimneys at dusk in September. At Gypsy Hill Park, located along US 250 a few blocks west of downtown, there is a large pond that is usually full of Mallards, and various other ducks. In past years, a pair of Mute Swans has raised cygnets there. A flock of Canada Geese resides at nearby Lake Tams, and various swallows are usually present in warmer months. In the wooded areas of the park, interesting songbirds can also be found.

On the southwest side of Staunton, Montgomery Hall Park features open fields and woodlands consisting of various types of vegetation with a nature trail named after treasured local birder YuLee Larner (1923-2013), a co-founder of the Augusta Bird Club and one of the pioneers of Virginia birding. Various woodpeckers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Red-eyed Vireos, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and even some Yellow-billed Cuckoos are often present during breeding season. During the spring and fall migrations, occasional large clusters of warblers and vireos show up. During the winter, both species of kinglets as well as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers can be found there.

Betsy Bell Hill is the bigger of the two large hills one sees when approaching Staunton from the east or south, and just to the south is Mary Gray Hill. Both are city-owned wilderness parks covered with dense woods consisting of tall hardwood trees. Near the entrance are a few parking places from which one can access either hill. A rough one-lane gravel road ascends to a small picnic area near the summit, accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles. Various woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, and Tufted Titmice are common throughout the year, while Eastern Wood Pewees, Wood Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanagers, and Ovenbirds are known to breed there during the summer. During the spring and fall, there are occasional fallouts of warblers and other neotropical migrants. Just to the east of Betsy Bell Hill is the Frontier Culture Museum, which features many bluebird boxes and a marshy pond where waterfowl often forage.

The real “crown jewel” of Staunton in terms of birding locations is Bells Lane, which passes through wetlands and rolling pasturelands on the northeast side of town. The unusually good birding opportunities are due in no small part to the restored wetland habitat, thanks to the riparian buffer program of the Valley Conservation Council. The central portion is more elevated, offering spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley. It is there that Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls often make exciting visits during the winter months. During the summer, Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, Yellow Warblers, Willow Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, Eastern Meadowlarks, American Goldfinches, and Grasshopper Sparrows are known to breed there. Thanks in part to a recently-built beaver pond on the north side, Green Herons have begun to nest there. During migration season, a wide variety of sandpipers, warblers, and other neotropical migrants make regular appearances. Bobolinks sometimes show up in the late spring. During the colder months, large flocks of Canada Geese gather in the pastures, and various ducks and American Coots are often seen on several farm ponds that can be viewed from the road. Wilson’s Snipe are occasionally seen as well. A few Red-tailed Hawks and Great Blue Herons can be seen in almost any month; likewise for American Kestrels.

Although not a typical “attraction” for bird lovers, it is worth noting that for many years, Staunton has been the roosting site for a large colony of Turkey Vultures as well as Black Vultures. Several dozen or even hundreds of the large birds can be seen circling in the skies above in the late afternoon during the colder months. Several years ago, government officials tried to force the “buzzards” to relocate elsewhere, without success.

 Hotspots

Accessibility and Surroundings

Staunton is located at the intersection of two interstate highways: I-81 and I-64, and is easily reached by travelers coming from any direction. In addition, it is served by AMTRAK passenger trains, leading toward Charlottesville and Washington D.C. to the east, and toward Charleston, West Virginia and eventually Chicago, Illinois to the west. Regular passenger jet service is available at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, about 15 miles to the north.

Amenities

There are many motels and hotels in Staunton, including some in the downtown area and others on the edge of town. A wide variety of restaurants and several craft breweries are located within the city limits, as is a winery. Other such establishments are also located in nearby Augusta County.

Christmas Bird Count

The area covered by the Augusta County CBC includes Staunton, and every year some or all of the parks listed above are checked by Augusta Bird Club members as part of the count. Contact Allen Larner (birdergonewild@yahoo.com) for further information.

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