great scott county

Bird Watching

Scott County contains two sections of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail as well as many opportunities to hunt down brilliant warblers and soaring raptors along our scenic roads. 162 species of birds have been reported from the county --- visit our checklist for more information.


When should I visit?

Every season of the year offers a unique birding experience in Scott County. Start your your birdwatching in the winter, by checking out our lakes and rivers for visiting waterfowl and shorebirds. The beginning birder will also find winter to be an easier time to start their education, since far fewer species are present in our area at this time.

Spring migration starts in late March but peaks in May when the blooming oak flowers provide stopover habitat for hundreds of brilliantly colored warblers and other songbirds who are following the mountains north. Raptors are also migrating through at this time, with up to 15,000 birds per day soaring on rising warm air --- thermals --- that waft along our mountain ridges.

In the summer, you can spend days hunting birds through the rich green foliage. By checking out various habitats --- wetlands, forests, and grasslands, for example --- you can find hundreds of species of birds in a single Scott County summer.

Then comes fall migration in September through November when the raptors and songbirds fly back south to escape the harsh weather. Fall migration suits the more experienced birder since many juvenile songbirds have not yet gained their breeding plumage and can be difficult to tell apart at this time.


Where should I look for birds?

Want to see Dark-eyed Juncos in the summer or listen to the flute-like songs of four species of thrushes in one spot? The Appalachian Wonders Loop of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail highlights the best birding spots in the high country at the peak of High Knob. You'd better have your life list handy to check off the 24 species of breeding warblers! Read about the highlights of the Appalachian Wonders Loop here.

If you don't have time to head to the top of High Knob, you can still see some great birds along the Daniel Boone Trail. Within a few miles of the interstate, you can visit Ruffed Grouse breeding grounds, seek out wintering shorebirds and neotropical summer visitors, and catch soaring raptors during hawk migration. Read about the highlights of the Daniel Boone Trail here.


Rare birds

The serious birder who is interested in a challenge will spend a few days searching for Scott County's two state-listed rare bird species.

Magnolia Warbler
(Dendroica magnolia)
State Status: imperiled
The Magnolia Warbler is a northern species which is found only on the tallest mountains in Virginia. Stop by High Knob Lake to hunt for this elusive songbird.

Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
State Status: imperiled
The Loggerhead Shrike appears to be threatened by loss of open farmland habitat. Keep your eyes open as you wind down Scott County's scenic back roads and you may see evidence of shrike presence in the form of its prey --- small birds or large insects --- impaled on barbed wire fences.

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