Preddy Creek Meadow ©Drew Chaney
This Albemarle County park is not often visited by birders, but offers 571 acres of forest and 16 miles of trails to explore. The overall landscape is gently rolling and consists of predominantly oak-hickory and oak-pine forests that have grown up following the abandonment of agricultural fields in the mid-20th century. The main feature of this landscape is the eponymous creek, which winds through the middle of the property. The riparian area here is home to breeding Louisiana Waterthrushes and Northern Parulas, as well as Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls. The Creekside Trail is also an excellent place to look for migrating warblers, especially in the fall. Red-breasted Nuthatches (in years when they are present) are frequent here due to a large population of young Virginia Pine-dominated woods. The meadow east of the parking lot is a good place to find various sparrows and Palm Warblers in migration, and also serves as a good hawkwatching spot. Noteworthy records include Merlin, Vesper and Lincoln’s Sparrows, Evening Grosbeak, and Connecticut Warbler.
Note: A portion of the trails on the north side of the creek cross into Orange County, a separate hotspot for these exists.
eBird Hotspot: Preddy Creek Trail Park
—Drew Chaney, February 2023
Connecticut Warbler, September 4, 2020 ©Drew Chaney