Dickenson County, Virginia, is a fantastic destination for birdwatching, with its diverse habitats ranging from lush forests to scenic river valleys. Whether you’re an avid birder or just looking to enjoy nature, the county offers excellent birding trails where you can spot a variety of species throughout the year.
Top Birding Trails in Dickenson County- The Lonesome Pine Loop
- Breaks Interstate Park
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the South,” this park is a prime birding location with stunning overlooks, deep gorges, and forested trails. You may spot species like:
- Peregrine Falcons
- Bald Eagles
- Warblers (especially in spring and fall migrations)
- Pileated Woodpeckers
- John Flannagan Reservoir and Wildlife Management Area
This large lake and surrounding woodlands attract waterfowl and songbirds, including:
- Ospreys
- Great Blue Herons
- Wood Ducks
- Belted Kingfishers
- Red Fox Trail (Haysi)
A quieter, wooded trail perfect for spotting:
- Scarlet Tanagers
- Eastern Towhees
- Barred Owls
- Pine Mountain Trail
Running along the Kentucky-Virginia border, this rugged trail offers views and opportunities to see:
- Ruffed Grouse
- Broad-winged Hawks
- Black-throated Green Warblers
- Branham Farm Wildlife Area (State Rt. 611)
A very short, uphill gravel path leads to this mountain ridgetop site, maintained as a clear-cut of open field amidst hardwood forest. Walk the ridgetop’s mowed grassy paths to view butterflies, such as red-spotted purple, eastern tiger swallowtail, eastern comma, viceroy, clouded and orange sulphurs, spring/summer azures, and a variety of skippers that flit about, displaying a full spectrum of colors. Birds sing from the surrounding woodlands. Listen for the distinct songs of wood thrush, ovenbird, and eastern wood-pewee, as well as the distant serenades of breeding warblers. In the open areas and wooded edges, look for woodpeckers, gray catbird, brown thrasher, eastern kingbird, song sparrow, and eastern phoebe. Other inhabitants of this area that might be spied include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse.
- Cranesnest River Trail This trail follows Cranes Nest River, from its trailhead in Clintwood, running several miles in length to the river’s confluence with John W. Flannagan Reservoir. The trail meanders alongside the river in some areas, but climbs upward along a bench that overlooks the river as well. Parts of this trail traverse old-growth hardwood forests, rhododendron thickets, and river bottom woodlands. In addition to birds typical of eastern hardwood forests, such as eastern wood-pewee and wood thrush, birders will find opportunities to spy American redstart, hooded, Kentucky, yellow-throated, and black-throated blue warblers during the breeding season. Spring and fall produce a fair number of migrant thrushes, warblers, and tanagers.
The river was named after the many “cranes” that made their homes along this waterway. In fact, these birds were not cranes at all, but rather great blue heron. Today, although they are not abundant within this corridor, they can be seen occasionally. Other wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and eastern box turtle are resident to this area. Aquatic red-spotted newt and its terrestrial form, red eft, can be found in and out of the river, respectively.
Best Times for Birding
- Spring & Fall: Great for migratory birds, including warblers and raptors.
- Summer: Ideal for spotting nesting birds and vibrant songbirds.
- Winter: Watch for Bald Eagles, woodpeckers, and waterfowl.
Would you like recommendations for guided tours or birding events in the area?
Give us a call at 276-296-6074, 276-365-5084 or email [email protected]
Rita Surratt, TMP
Tourism Director, County of Dickenson
