Scheier Natural Area is productive from early April through roughly mid-October. To get to the ponds, which are circled by a path, park in the lot, cross Long Acre Road, and walk a short ways down it to the right. In the marsh vegetation here, Common Yellowthroats are present from spring through fall, and Swamp Sparrows are found in migration and potentially in winter as well. In the appropriate seasons, it is also worth looking for other wetland songbirds, such as a Marsh Wren. The only waterfowl species that have been found here are Wood Ducks and Canada Geese, but more consistent coverage in late summer might turn up a Great Egret or other interesting wader.
Two trails can be accessed at the parking area, and they eventually meet, forming a loop. Either is a good way to find the complement of breeding birds that returns in April: numerous Ovenbirds, Black-and-white and Pine Warblers, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Acadian Flycatchers, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Wood Thrushes, and one or two each of Worm-eating and Hooded Warblers. At the back of the property, the trail drops down slightly and reaches a small branch of Cunningham Creek that hosts breeding Louisiana Waterthrush. Because the forest at Scheier contains considerable leaf litter, it is probably one of the better spots in Fluvanna County to search for migrant Catharus thrushes.
In fall, a variety of migrant warblers can sometimes be found among the flocks of chickadees and titmice. If one is willing to go off-trail a bit from the red trail (to the right when starting from the parking lot), the edge of the forest that borders a tract of farmland often hosts the most songbird activity. In addition, because of its brushy nature, it is the only place on the property where Palm Warblers are likely to be added to the list in the fall. Scheier’s large area of mature deciduous woods also makes it an excellent habitat for Barred Owl, which isn’t often searched for here but has been found.
Scheier isn’t particularly active in the winter, hosting only the usual mix of wintering songbirds. The raucous calls and bright plumage of Pileated Woodpeckers may be the only thing to light up a dreary day. At all times of year, birders at Scheier should keep an eye on the sky since it is in the best area in the county for Common Ravens, which pop up from time to time in the vicinity throughout the year.
Aside from the natural area itself, Long Acre Road passes through the typical combination of mixed forests and regenerating clearcuts. However, just before Long Acre Road ends at its intersection with Haden Martin Road--only a five-minute drive from Scheier--an area of hayfields holds Grasshopper Sparrows and Eastern Meadowlarks until the fields are cut sometime in June. The fields can be viewed from either of two driveways that serve as suitable pull-offs.
Accessibility: Scheier Natural Area is open to the public at all times of year. The trails, which together form a 2.5-mile loop, are largely very easy, flat, and well maintained, with only a short section where the ground is a little rocky. The path around the ponds is grassy, and in summer it becomes a bit less well maintained than the main trail. A trail map can be found here.
Owner/Manager: Rivanna Conservation Alliance
eBird Hotspot: Scheier Natural Area
—Shea Tiller