One of the things I enjoy this time of year, and hope to accomplish this fall, is visiting one of the areas birding trails. These trails offer opportunities for people to get out and find birds - or just take a leisurely hike. In my state (VA) alone, there are many trails to choose from. Some may require a little distant driving while others are more local. Many of the trails loop and connect with one another. Here’s a snapshot of my region:
Virginia Coastal trail map
I’m also excited about a new book I just ordered titled “Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail”. This book features detailed maps of the states trails and includes contact information and descriptions for each site. I’m sure each state offers a similar publication.
In the mean time, check out this four part series on birding trails put out on the web by Audubon Magazine. The series is broken up by region (West, South, East, and Midwest) and each guide outlines the top birding trails along with a little info about each, including who to contact for more information on each area. Each guide is written by Kenn Kaufman and can be downloaded (via .pdf) and saved or printed for reference.
Here is the East guide - click the thumbnail image to download the pdf:
Also, be sure to check out audubon.org/bird_trails for more up-to-date information on birding trails. This site is also broken up by region and state.
With thousands of stops and trails throughout the US, chances are there’s a birding trail near you. So grab your binoculars and get out there!
Reference: http://www.birdnote.org/birdnote.cfm?id=1671
