Powhatan County
Great Horned Owl, © Rob Bielawski
Named for Powhatan, chief of the Powhatan Confederacy and father of Pocahontas, Powhatan County is located west of Richmond. It was formed in 1777 from the eastern portion of Cumberland County, with its northern boundary marked by the James River. Today, Powhatan is home to just over 28,000 people and encompasses 272 sq. mi. of total area. It is one of the fastest growing counties in Virginia; between 2000 and 2010, Powhatan experienced a 25% population growth. The landscape remains predominantly rural although it is increasingly a bedroom community for people working in Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond. The county is also a popular spot for horse lovers, with numerous equestrian centers, stables, and a riding school.
Although it is fairly close to populated areas, Powhatan is not a heavily birded county, with just under 200 species reported to eBird. One of the main hotspots, Belmead, along with the adjacent St. Francis de Sales School for Girls, is a historic plantation home located on the James River which offers birding in a variety of habitats. Unfortunately, ownership of the property has recently changed and it is possible that access may change as well. Powhatan State Park, which only opened in 2013, is another good birding location that provides mainly mature woods with some scrubby fields and edge habitat which are good for sparrows including Grasshopper Sparrow. For waterfowl, Lake Shawnee and the lakes at Powhatan WMA can both be good places to visit. Shorebirds are infrequently reported from Powhatan, probably due to lack of suitable habitat. Powhatan WMA has an ongoing banding project for migrating Northern Saw-whet Owls since 2006; they have been recorded in 11 out of 12 seasons and there is evidence of overwintering. The Route 522 bridge over the James at Maidens is a nesting site for Cliff Swallows. The scrub habitat adjacent to the Watkins Landing Boat Ramp is currently a good site for Yellow-breasted Chat.
Notable records for Powhatan County include Least Tern (2003), Black-billed Magpie (1940), Sedge Wren (2010), Evening Grosbeak (2008), and Dickcissel (2015).
—Wendy Ealding