Birding

Natural Tunnel State Park

276-940-2674, naturaltunnel@dcr.virginia.gov

Natural Tunnel State Park spans over 800 acres centered around its awe-inspiring natural tunnel, a geologic wonder carved through limestone that's over 850 feet long and 10 stories high. The park's diverse network of hiking trails boarder open fields, creeks and forests, creating ideal conditions for birding. Visitors have logged over 128 bird species in the park year-round.

Type of birds

Common birds in the park include a number of year-round residents: northern cardinals, American goldfinches, mourning doves, Carolina chickadees, northern mockingbirds, amongst many others. Seasonal birds are just as plentiful: common mergansers, eastern kingbirds, cliff swallows, various species of warblers and thrushes and more.

Best time of year to observe

Spring and fall bring an influx of migratory birds to the park and are particularly exciting for birders, as this is when you'll see the most diversity. Summer is ideal for observing breeding and nesting pairs.

Best places in the park to observe

Natural Tunnel has a Birding and Wildlife Trail located behind the Blockhouse Visitor Center, maintained to provide habitat for the elusive ruffed grouse. Stock Creek Trail follows along Stock Creek and is frequently visited by water-loving birds, such as great blue herons, common mergansers, belted kingfishers and fly catchers. During summer, the Purchase Ridge Trail is home to both scarlet and summer tanagers, indigo buntings and eastern whip-poor-wills.