Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Site Information
- Site Contact: (540) 483-6606 smartin@franklincountyva.org
- Site Access: Free, Daily
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Facilities
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Site MSW04: Franklin County Recreation Park
Description
Elevation: 1202 ft. Franklin County Recreation Park offers another great access point to the varied habitats of the Piedmont. The area leads the observer into a mosaic of fields, open water and deciduous and coniferous forest. The park's nature trail primarily covers woodland habitats and would be a good place to search for migrants during spring and fall. Of course the trail bustles year round with resident birds including downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, house and Carolina wrens, gray catbird and song sparrow. Heading east through the park, there are large open fields that host numerous eastern bluebirds year-round. This road ends overlooking a lake, giving a great view into the surrounding treetops. Search this area for migrant waterfowl on the lake, while the treetops host northern flicker or perhaps roosting swallows. The moist areas next to the lake should be searched for damsel and dragonflies, while a variety of butterflies can be found throughout the park.
Directions
From Waid Park, return to SR 40 and travel east back to US 220 South in Rocky Mount. Turn right and travel south 3.8 miles to Rt. 619. Turn left onto Rt. 619 and drive 2.2 miles east to the park on the right.
Loop Map
