Lambsburg Safety Rest Area/Welcome Center

This hotspot has been created to consolidate eBird data from one of the over 40 highway rest areas maintained and operated by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Currently there are rest areas along Interstates 95, 64, 66, 81, 85, and 77 and Route 13. Often (though not always) there are corresponding northbound and southbound rest areas at roughly the same point; in these cases, a separate hotspot exists for each. Generally speaking, highway rest areas are not ideal places for birding due to both marginal habitat and excessive road noise. Most are relatively open with some tall trees, but may be bordered by more extensive woods or fields. In instances where a particular rest area has unique birding features, efforts will be made to point those out. Notwithstanding the often marginal birding, highway rest stops are of interest for traveling birders looking to drop in eBird lists along their route – hence the creation of hotspots to consolidate reports from rest areas.

Accessibility: All highway rest areas are free and open to the public 24/7. They have ample parking spaces and usually some mix of amenities typically including bathrooms and vending machines. Some may have more extensive facilities including pet areas, picnic areas with grills, and welcome centers with maps and other travel information. Specific information on amenities can be found by following the link below to the VDOT website.

Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

eBird Hotspot: Lambsburg Safety Rest Area/Welcome Center

Ivanhoe Boat Ramp

Just barely south of the Wythe County line near the village of Ivanhoe, this boat launch offers a beautiful view of the New River. The area around the boat launch has a nice buffer of tall trees, making it a perfect spot to seek out riparian species. It is especially productive in spring and summer, when this spot is teeming with a suite of typical riverine species including Eastern Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Warbling Vireos, and Yellow-throated Warblers. Beyond these, other typical woodland and edge species including Yellow-billed Cuckoos, woodpeckers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, Northern Parulas, and more may be encountered here. The river at this spot is fairly wide, and is attractive to swallows and swifts; it can be particularly productive in spring, when large congregations of swallows may hold less-common species including Bank or Cliff. Listen for the raucous chattering of Belted Kingfishers as well.

In the winter months, the birding quiets down some, but this is nonetheless a fine spot to seek out edge and woodland species including Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dark-eyed Junco, and White-throated Sparrow. During the late fall and winter, the wet bottomland adjacent to the river may also attract Rusty Blackbirds.

Accessibility: The boat ramp is just a short distance off SR 94 (Ivanhoe Road). If you are heading south, turn left onto Trestle Road shortly after crossing the county line and follow it to the boat ramp. You can also follow the signs for the Ivanhoe Horse Show Grounds, which are directly adjacent to the boat ramp. Ivanhoe Road runs north-south, eventually connecting to US 58 west of Galax if you head south, and US 52 at Fort Chiswell (a short distance from I-81) to the north. The boat launch itself has ample public parking in a gravel lot, with a narrow gravel path leading to the river’s edge.

Just to north, the small settlement of Ivanhoe is barely across the line in Wythe County. Birders may wish to note that it is home to a small population of Eurasian Collared-Doves.

Owner/Manager & Official Website: Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

eBird Hotspot: Ivanhoe Boat Ramp

—Matt Anthony