My Favorite Virginia Birds LbNA #439 (ARCHIVED)
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 12, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | McGaheysville |
| County: | Rockingham |
| State: | Virginia |
| Boxes: | 3 |
| Found by: | Not yet found! |
|---|---|
| Last found: | N/A |
| Last edited: | Apr 12, 2003 |
All Boxes are reported to be missing
Terrain: level to very steep but total distance to all three is not much more than a mile. The Wren and the Owl are very easy. The Pileated Woodpecker will give a little workout with a very steep hill.
The city of Harrisonburg straddles Interstate 81. If you are
traveling on 81 take exit 247A which will bring you out on Rt 33
heading east. Drive for 10-12 miles and watch for brown signs about
Massanutten Resort. Turn left at the sun on the mountain sign
(Resort Dr.). Turn left at the 3 tall flagpoles. You will be going
through the resort checkpoint (guard house). The resort is open to
the public for skiing, a mini golf course and a restaurant so just
wave at the nice guard as you go through. (Best not to have any
open liquor containers, weapons or expired inspection stickers as
you smile and wave!) If they want to know your business you can say
you are heading to Fareways (the restaurant).
You don't have far to go now. Take the first left to the Park
Entrance. There is a tiny parking area straight ahead at the
entrance to the Arboretum. Park and look for the map. Before you
begin to search remember that this is a very busy resort area and
the Arboretum is small – be very discreet.
Your first bird can be found under a bridge near the bog.
The bridge rhymes with That and has a double waterfall to gaze at.
Cross over the bridge and exit around to the left, find the flat
rock and peek underneath. If you are very lucky you will find the
shy Carolina Wren.
Once you have wre-hidden the wren, continue on the path a very short
way to an intersection with a thin sapling posing as a traffic cop.
Take a right. You'll know you took the right path if you have to
scootch down to avoid the low hanging bush and step over the log.
Very soon now you will begin to ascend steeply. Keep on straight,
taking no turns, through the moss carpet lining the trail and past
the very long thin fallen log. Looking ahead you will see a sign
that says "Trail Ends - Private Property - No Trespassing" – you may even see a
car or two. When you get about 40-50 ft away from the sign you will
see a trail to your left that goes dooowwwnn. To find the next bird
you will have to observe the trees very carefully. As you turn onto
this trail straight ahead you will see a very tall, straight,
barkless, dead tree leaning into its neighbor. Descend about 10-15
paces and look to your right. The next tree you are looking for is
a twisty, twirly dead tree (TTDT) which has been feasted upon by the
very bird you are searching for. The healthy neighbor tree stands
between the TTDT and a fallen portion of the TTDT. Make your way
(there is a small trail leading over) over to the fallen portion and
search between it and the healthy neighbor. Here you will find the
Pileated Woodpecker. If you are very lucky you will hear him laugh
at you pawing through the leaves.
Go back to the main trail and back down to the traffic cop sapling. At that point take a right and
look for the Boy Scout Bridge. Cross over and take a right to the
Water Garden held in place by the stone dam. To find your last bird
you will need to cross the dam (or take the tiny little bridge
over). Look around the end of the dam on the downstream side. Have
a good reason for your suspicious actions if someone asks! This is
the most exposed box location. Even if it isn't night you should
catch a glimpse of the Eastern Screech Owl and capture him into your
logbook!
If you are a birder you can see lots of wonderful birds in this
little park particularly if you come early in the morning.
Terrain: level to very steep but total distance to all three is not much more than a mile. The Wren and the Owl are very easy. The Pileated Woodpecker will give a little workout with a very steep hill.
The city of Harrisonburg straddles Interstate 81. If you are
traveling on 81 take exit 247A which will bring you out on Rt 33
heading east. Drive for 10-12 miles and watch for brown signs about
Massanutten Resort. Turn left at the sun on the mountain sign
(Resort Dr.). Turn left at the 3 tall flagpoles. You will be going
through the resort checkpoint (guard house). The resort is open to
the public for skiing, a mini golf course and a restaurant so just
wave at the nice guard as you go through. (Best not to have any
open liquor containers, weapons or expired inspection stickers as
you smile and wave!) If they want to know your business you can say
you are heading to Fareways (the restaurant).
You don't have far to go now. Take the first left to the Park
Entrance. There is a tiny parking area straight ahead at the
entrance to the Arboretum. Park and look for the map. Before you
begin to search remember that this is a very busy resort area and
the Arboretum is small – be very discreet.
Your first bird can be found under a bridge near the bog.
The bridge rhymes with That and has a double waterfall to gaze at.
Cross over the bridge and exit around to the left, find the flat
rock and peek underneath. If you are very lucky you will find the
shy Carolina Wren.
Once you have wre-hidden the wren, continue on the path a very short
way to an intersection with a thin sapling posing as a traffic cop.
Take a right. You'll know you took the right path if you have to
scootch down to avoid the low hanging bush and step over the log.
Very soon now you will begin to ascend steeply. Keep on straight,
taking no turns, through the moss carpet lining the trail and past
the very long thin fallen log. Looking ahead you will see a sign
that says "Trail Ends - Private Property - No Trespassing" – you may even see a
car or two. When you get about 40-50 ft away from the sign you will
see a trail to your left that goes dooowwwnn. To find the next bird
you will have to observe the trees very carefully. As you turn onto
this trail straight ahead you will see a very tall, straight,
barkless, dead tree leaning into its neighbor. Descend about 10-15
paces and look to your right. The next tree you are looking for is
a twisty, twirly dead tree (TTDT) which has been feasted upon by the
very bird you are searching for. The healthy neighbor tree stands
between the TTDT and a fallen portion of the TTDT. Make your way
(there is a small trail leading over) over to the fallen portion and
search between it and the healthy neighbor. Here you will find the
Pileated Woodpecker. If you are very lucky you will hear him laugh
at you pawing through the leaves.
Go back to the main trail and back down to the traffic cop sapling. At that point take a right and
look for the Boy Scout Bridge. Cross over and take a right to the
Water Garden held in place by the stone dam. To find your last bird
you will need to cross the dam (or take the tiny little bridge
over). Look around the end of the dam on the downstream side. Have
a good reason for your suspicious actions if someone asks! This is
the most exposed box location. Even if it isn't night you should
catch a glimpse of the Eastern Screech Owl and capture him into your
logbook!
If you are a birder you can see lots of wonderful birds in this
little park particularly if you come early in the morning.