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| Anne
Springs Close Greenway [1] |
| With over 2000 acres and 12 miles of walking trails, the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Ft. Mill, SC, has the potential of an excellent variety of spring migrants as well as water birds. The area includes the historic Nation Ford trail across Steele Creek and several historic sites. |
| A wide variety of
birds can be found in the greenway's wooded hillsides, open
fields, old railway bed, creek bottomland and 7 ponds. The
largest of these ponds covers 25 acres; the other six range
from 1 to 5 acres. The bird checklist for the area, compiled
in 1995, identifies 160 species -- including summer |
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Click on image for Google Map |
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scarlet tanagers, a number of ducks, 8 hawks, and 25 warbler species. The Greenway's naturalist has asked our aid in reporting
species not previously included on the list. There is an entrance
fee of $2 per person. Although there are some rolling hills,
paths are clear and clean so walking is not very strenuous. |
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| Coddle Creek Reservoir (2) |
Click on image for Google Map |
| This
restricted reservoir has proven to be a magnet
for winter waterfowl. Every winter waterfowl can
be seen here in relative large numbers including black ducks and
canvasbacks. Depending on the water level, fall shorebirds can be seen from Shimpock Rd. There are two places to view birds. The
first is overlooking
the dam on Rt. 73 and the second is at the north end of the lake
from Rt. 3 and Shimpock Rd. |
| DO NOT go beyond any of the trespassing signs. The area is very well monitored and you more than likely meet
the local authorities if you do. |
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| Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge (3) |
| Originally owned by Crescent Power and Light and maintained by Ducks Unlimited, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation purchased this property in the early 90's and has continued to maintain it as a wildlife refuge. As such, access by the public is limited to the observation stand and the road leading to it. |
| The refuge
sits on the banks of Mountain Island Lake which has been designated an Important Bird Area. It has many coves
where ducks, osprey and eagles like to hide out. The forest
is primarily pine with some deciduous mixed in. There are several
old growth field which has been good habitat for prairie warbler
and other species which like rejuvenating clear cuts. There
are two small ponds which attract shorebirds in spring and fall.
One spring we had all possible swallows - barn, bank, cliff,
rough-wing, and tree sitting on wire together. |
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Bird along the dirt road
and from the
viewing stand only!
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| Additional Info on Greenways |
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Places to go birding
within 2 hrs of Charlotte |
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| Birding the Carolinas |
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| Evergreen Nature Preserve (4) [Bird list] |
Click on image for Google Map |
| This
natural area of approximately 80 acres of mixed hardwoods,
pines and open areas, located three miles from downtown Charlotte,
provides shelter and feeding area for a wide variety of birds,
especially during spring and fall migration. The area lies
south of Evergreen Cemetery, between Norland Drive and Winterfield
Drive. Several trails through the area can be entered from
Winterfield School playing fields, Sheffield Park or the back
of Evergreen Cemetery. |
| It is best to bird this preserve when school is not in session since you will need to park in the Winterfield Elementary School parking lot. You can also enter the preserve through the Evergreen Cemetery which has entrances off Central Ave and Norland Ave. [More Info. & Trail map. ] |
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| What have you been seeing in Evergreen? |
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| Four-mile Creek Greenway (5) |
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| Huntingtowne Farms Greenway (6) |
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| Lake Norman (7) |
| Winter is the best time to bird Lake Norman. The boat population is down and the waterfowl and gulls have the lake pretty much to themselves. Regular wintering waterfowl include: common loons, horned grebes, Bonaparte's gulls, and of course coots. More unusual birds include red-throated loon, eared grebe, common golden-eye, long-tailed duck, and Franklin's gull. Migration includes black, common and caspian terns, cormorants and other shorebirds. A few lost souls have also appeared on the lake such as pelicans and a jeager. The best way to bird Lake Norman is by boat though. |
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| Latta Park (Dilworth) (8) |
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| Latta
Park is a truly urban park. It is a small, 10 acres at most,
neighborhood park nestled in the heart of Dillworth, one of the older Charlotte communities.
However, it is shaded by towering old trees and has a small
steam running through it. These two characteristics seem to
be a magnet for warblers and other neotropic migrants. On many
spring days one can sit on the banks of the stream and watch
a marvelous parade of birds come in for their morning baths. |
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| Latta Plantation Nature Preserve (9) |
| Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is the County's largest nature preserve and protects over 1,343 acres of natural communities including the Beatties Ford Basic Forest natural heritage site. The preserve forms a green peninsula extending into Mountain Island Lake, the drinking water source for over 700,000 residents in Mecklenburg and Gaston counties. Its diversity of natural communities includes upland and bottomland hardwood forests, open fields, streams, and a Piedmont Prairie restoration site protecting the federally endangered Schweinitz's sunflower and Michaux's sumac. The Preserve is part of the Mountain Island Lake Important Bird Area, designated by the National Audubon Society due to its diversity of wintering waterfowl, breeding and migratory songbird species, and protection of bottomland hardwood forests, a threatened natural community in North Carolina. |
| In addition to protecting the water quality of Mountain Island Lake, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve preserves habitat for 97 species of birds, 17 species of mammals, 14 species of reptiles, and 9 species of amphibians. Among the unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are: |
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| Bald Eagle, Wild Turkey, red fox, gray fox, mink, and red-spotted newt. The Preserve also protects two federally endangered plants (Schweinitz's sunflower and Michaux's sumac), a federal candidate species (Georgia's aster), and the largest population of puttyroot orchid in Mecklenburg County. For a complete list of documented species, download our vertebrate species checklist (247kB PDF) |
| Several areas of the 1290-acre preserve are very 'birdie' but of particular
interest is the piedmont prairie restoration project area. Working
with students and faculty at UNC Charlotte the County has undertaken
a project to restore a prairie like ecosystem for the endangered
Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii). |
| While exploring this preserve you will want go to the Carolina Raptor Center which is also located in the preserve. The Center includes a large, eagle aviary contains 7 bald and 2 golden eagles. Other birds of note at the center are saw-whet owls, Mississippi kites, and short-eared owls. It should be noted that some of the best passerine birding in the preserve is also around the Raptor Center. There is a entrance fee for the Raptor Center unless of course you are already a member. [More Info. ] |
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| Lower McAlpine Greenway (10) |
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| Mallard Creek Greenway (11) |
| This
commercial, research park near UNC Charlotte has a lot of
walking trails throughout the entire complex. However, the
most productive has been a trail that begins at the corner
of David Taylor Dr. and Governor Hunt Rd. [Park on the road.]
The trail takes you back along the creek where there is a
lot of brush and thickets. In the spring and the fall the
area is good for migrants. Permanent residents include flickers,
screech owls, bluebirds and most of the typical suburban birds.
Winter has brought some unusual sparrows as well as winter
wrens. It is also a great area for butterflies. |
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you are in the area during the winter months it is usually worth
a stop at the lake at the University City Shopping Center. Redheads,
canvasbacks, ruddies and ring-necks are regulars. Several years
back it attracked two long-tailed ducks for two weeks. [Trail map.] |
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| McAlpine Creek Greenway (12) |
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| As
part of Charlotte's extensive greenway system McAlpine Greenway
has proven to be a very productive and important birding spot
for the area. Predominantly a flood plain this greenway draws
in a wide array of migrant warblers including blue wings, golden
wings and even a Wilson's or two albeit on very rare occasions
only. The open, often damp playing fields entice shorebirds
down for a respite. The swampy area is home for green heron
and wood ducks. Swallows in the area have included bank, tree,
rough-wing and of course barn. Breeders include barred and great
horned owls, blue grosbeaks , indigo buntings, and many more.
Paths are wide and walking is not strenuous. |
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| McDowell Nature Preserve (13) |
| Mecklenburg
County's first nature preserve, Mc Dowell Nature Preserve opened in 1976 on the shores
of Lake Wylie. The steeply rolling terrain, lush hardwood forest,
and trickling streams provide excellent growing conditions for
more than 100 species of wildflowers and ferns. The 956-acre
property is home to the McDowell Nature Center (704-588-5224) which
offers interpretive displays and environmental programming. |
| It preserves habitat for 119 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, and 14 species of amphibians. Among the unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are: Seminole bat (first record in NC), spotted salamander, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle, and Loggerhead Shrike. McDowell Nature Preserve is also well known for its diversity of spring ephemeral wildflowers and is among the best areas in Mecklenburg County to view Pileated Woodpecker. The Preserve protects a federally endangered plant (Schweinitz's sunflower), a federal candidate species (Georgia's aster), and one rare plant (prairie dock) at its two Piedmont Prairie restoration sites. [More Info. & Trail map.] |
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| McMullen Creek Greenway (14) |
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| A
relatively new greenway area on the southwest part of the county,
it has been very productive in the spring and fall for migrants.
This past fall (2000) a Wilson's warbler was seen. Winter has
a lot of sparrows. Resident breeders include red-tailed and
Cooper's hawks, wood ducks, common yellowthroats and other typical
freshwater marsh birds. [Trail map.] |
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| Moss Creek Greenway (15) |
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| Reedy Creek NP (16) |
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| Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve, located in northeast Mecklenburg county, has 10 miles of trails offering hikers and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to explore a variety of terrains while enjoying scenic views of the small lakes, forests, fields, and streams. One of the most popular routes in the preserve leads to the ruins of the Robinson Rockhouse, built circa 1790. |
| It preserves habitat for 109 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles, and 12 species of amphibians. Kentucky Warblers have been documented during the breeding season in the dense undergrowth along the Reedy Creek floodplain. |
| The Kentucky Warbler is in decline and is ranked as a "high" priority for conservation by the Southeast Partners in Flight working group. This is the last known potential breeding location remaining for this species within the County. Among the other unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are: Conjurer's nut, pale hickory, spotted salamander, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle, and Broad-winged Hawk. The preserve protects the South Fork of Reedy Creek natural heritage |
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| site which represents the best example of a Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest habitat remaining in Mecklenburg County. For a complete list of documented species, click here to download their vertebrate checklist (240kB PDF). [More Info. & Trail map.] |
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| Ribbon Walk NP (17) |
| Nearly 3 miles of hiking trails offer hikers and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to explore a variety of terrains while enjoying scenic views of the ponds, forests, fields, and streams. |
| RibbonWalk Urban Forest is a showcase
for indigenous plants including an extraordinary grove of old-age
beech trees recently designated as a 'treasure tree grove' by
the Charlotte Treasure Tree Committee. Some of these slow growing
trees of impressive stature are over 200 years old. |
| Few wildlife inventory studies have been conducted at this preserve, but so far 53 species of birds and 24 species of butterflies have bene documented. RibbonWalk Nature Preserve is a remarkably diverse botanical area considering its urban location. The preserve is home to 106 herbaceous plant species and 78 species of woody plants. At least three dozen American Beech trees are estimated to be 150-200 years old. This beech grove is very likely the largest and oldest remaining colony in the area. [More Info. & Trail map. ] |
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| Sherman Branch NP (18) |
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| Six-mile Creek Greenway (19) |
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| Winghaven (20) |
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| Created
by Edward and Elizabeth Clarkson, Wing
Haven is a 4-acre garden and bird sanctuary that combines
formal gardens with wild woodlands.They garden organically in
a backyard setting with pools, birdbaths, fountains and statuary.
It's purpose is to maintain and develop a sanctuary for wild
birds and animals for the education of the general public; to
establish and maintain gardens and grounds for the benefit and
enjoyment of the community, and to educate the public on horticultural
and wildlife subjects. |
| While
you are in the area you might want to check out Park Road
Park and/or Freedom Park which are both included on the map.
Both can be productive in spring and fall migration. |
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| Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC |
| Jackson Park is arguably one of the finest migration spots in the Carolinas, with a wide range of habitats being represented in the park's 317 acres. Here on a late September morning it may be possible to find over 70 bird species as they pass through the park on their way south. Spring migration is slower, but can include such local rarities as Connecticut and Mourning Warblers. Other birds of note that have been seen in Jackson Park over the years have included Olive-sided Flycatcher, Baird's Sandpiper, Barn Owl and Philadelphia Vireo. |
| Jackson
Park bird walks are very popular and are held throughout the
year. They meet in front of the Henderson County Parks and
Administration building in Jackson Park and are held on the
second Saturday of every month. Times are from 9 AM - 11 AM
from October to May and from 8 AM - 10 AM from June to September. |
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