Birding

Southwest Virginia Museum

276-523-9640, SWVAMuseum@dcr.virginia.gov

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, located in Big Stone Gap, offers more than just rich regional history, it also presents rewarding birding opportunities. As you explore the museum grounds or nearby Powell River Greenbelt, you'll experience a mosaic of habitats, riverbanks, wooded areas and open stretches, each offering its own unique chorus of birdlife and a perfect setting for quiet observation and discovery of the many birds that live in the area, from forest songbirds to water-loving species.

Type of birds

A variety of waterfowl species have been observed near the museum and along the Powell River. You may also spot: house wrens, song sparrows, northern cardinals, tufted titmouse, chimney swifts, American barn owls, norther flickers, bluejays, house sparrow, blue grey gnatcatchers, white breasted nuthatches, white eyed vireos cedar wax wings, Carolina chickadees , eastern bluebirds, red shoulder hawks, brown headed cowbirds, Carolina wren, American robins, mourning doves, rock doves, brown thrashers, Canada geese, grey catbirds, crackles, great blue herons, red eyed vireos, house finches, red belled woodpeckers, red winged blackbirds, gold finches, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, European starlings and bald eagles

Best time of year to observe

Spring and fall burst with birding activity, but the park stays alive with feathered wonders all year long, meaning every visit offers a new chance to discover something spectacular.

Best places in the park to observe

The best place to view the birds at the park is in the Victorian Gardens, however just a short walk to the Greenbelt along the Powell River is a wonderful place for bird viewing. This area is where we offer most of our birding programs.

Special birding programs and events

The park offers a program called Birding in the Gap several times a year. We also participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count in February and the Audubon Christmas Bird Count in December.

See all Birding Events

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