Birdwatching Near Lexington, Virginia

There are few hobbies that travel as well as birdwatching. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or someone who has recently discovered the joy of spotting species in the wild, a new destination means a new list of birds to find. Lexington, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, turns out to be a surprisingly rewarding place to spend a morning with binoculars in hand. From river parks to forested preserves, the area offers a range of habitats that attract a diverse array of birds throughout the seasons. And if nature adventure is your idea of a great vacation, check out the caverns, water activities, and Natural Bridge State Park from your Inn at Brierley Hill vacation homebase.

Here’s a quick look at the best birdwatching spots in and around Lexington:

• Jordans Point Park, set on an island in the Maury River, combines wooded habitat, river views, and edge vegetation that together attract an impressive variety of species year-round.
• The Uncas Trail follows a high bluff overlooking the Maury River through what may be the largest tract of intact woodland within the city limits.
• Lime Kiln Bridge Park provides access to the Woods Creek Trail, a riparian corridor that is especially productive for winter flocks and spring migrants.
• Evergreen Cemetery offers open and edge habitat that draws common suburban species as well as the occasional migrant passerine.
• The Chessie Nature Trail follows the Maury River for seven miles between Lexington and Buena Vista, passing through a mix of forest and open habitat along the way.
• Boxerwood Nature Center is a public garden open daily from dawn to dusk that hosts a monthly birdwatching walk led by the Rockbridge Bird Club.
• Brushy Hills Preserve, a 560-acre watershed tract owned by the city, offers fourteen miles of forested trails with excellent access to mature hardwood woodland species.

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Jordans Point Park

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Migrant warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue or Green Herons, Common Mergansers, Wood Ducks, Swallows, Chimney Swifts, Common Nighthawks, and Pileated Woodpeckers

Jordans Point Park is perhaps the first stop any visiting birder should make. The park occupies an island in the Maury River and offers three distinct vantage points over the water: the island’s eastern tip, an elevated overlook on the north side, and a canoe launch at the northwest corner. The combination of river, riparian vegetation, and woodland edge makes this a productive location in nearly every season. The river itself is the star attraction for much of the year as birds perch on the wires that cross the water or wait along the riverbanks. The park is open May 1 thru October 31, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and November 1 thru April 30, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Uncas Trail

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Raptors, Common Ravens, Common Mergansers, Sparrows, Warblers

Just a short distance away, the Uncas Trail is one of the more underappreciated birdwatching destinations in the city. The trail runs just under two miles out and back along a narrow peninsula formed by a bend in the Maury, with the route passing almost entirely through mixed deciduous and pine woodland. A powerline cut near the trail adds a strip of weedy edge habitat that is worth a careful look. The elevated position of the bluff makes it a fine spot to watch raptors riding the thermals. The trailhead and an informational kiosk are located at a small parking area behind the Lexington Public Works buildings.

Lime Kiln Bridge Park

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher

For birders interested in riparian habitat, Lime Kiln Bridge Park is a natural next stop. The park serves primarily as the access point for the Woods Creek Trail. The trail is a reliable spot for winter feeding flocks, and spring migration can bring a good movement of passerines through the creek corridor. Species that can be hard to find in an otherwise urban setting show up here with some regularity. Like Jordan Point Park, this park is open May 1 thru October 31, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and November 1 thru April 30, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Evergreen Cemetery

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Indigo Bunting, Field Sparrow, and Blue Grosbeak

A visit to Evergreen Cemetery might seem like an unusual birdwatching excursion, but open and edge habitats like this one support a different suite of species than the forested trails. The scattered pines offer a chance in winters when those species who move south. A small woodlot on the cemetery’s eastern edge adds woodland species to the mix. A paved road loops the property making it easy to change locations while searching.

Chessie Nature Trail

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Indigo Buntings, Red-Eyed Vireo, White-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Chimney Swift, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, and Carolina Wren

For those with a bit more time, the Chessie Nature Trail is well worth the effort. The seven-mile trail follows the former rail corridor along the Maury River between Lexington and Buena Vista, passing through a mix of forest, field edge, and riparian habitat. The variety of habitat types along the route translates into a long and varied species list.

Boxerwood Nature Center

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Canada Goose, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blue Jay, American Crow, and Carolina Chickadee

Boxerwood Nature Center is a public garden open daily from dawn to dusk. It hosts a monthly birdwatching walk on the second Saturday of each month, organized by the Rockbridge Bird Club. This is a great option for visiting birders who want some local guidance.

Brushy Hills Preserve

Birds that have been spotted here:

• Wild Turkey, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Great Crested Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Red-eyed Vireo

Brushy Hills Preserve, a 560-acre woodland tract on the edge of the city, offers fourteen miles of trails through mature hardwood forest. The preserve is home to a strong woodland bird community.

Traveling through Virginia on a birdwatching trip? The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail can help you find places to stop along the way.