Description

This site holds a lot of potential for a wildlife-packed excursion. Start at the lake and scan the far banks and the numerous small coves and bays for great blue herons standing motionless in the shadows. Ospreys can be seen overhead, surveying the bass population for their next meal, all the while, lazy eastern painted turtles soak up the sun. The open waters attract a variety of waterfowl, especially during winter, with American widgeon, gadwall, northern shovelers and ruddy ducks mixed in with American coots, and the occasional pied-billed grebe.

The shoreline and woods around the boat landing are alive with red-bellied and hairy woodpeckers sculpting their next wooden masterpiece. Also check the noisy flocks of Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice for migrant warblers such as, black-throated green and black-throated blue, as well as other passersby such as, Carolina wren or a wintering yellow-bellied sapsucker. Rounding out the colorful mosaic are various butterflies, such as the red-spotted purples and question marks that can be seen in open moist areas around the edges of the lake’s boat landing.

Note: To access the site, a Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.

Directions

From US-15 in Palmyra, head south for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto VA-53 West towards Cunningham. In Cunningham, look for Public Fishing Lake signs on Rt. 53 and follow to the lake, making a left onto State Rt 619/ Ruritan Lake Rd. Continue for 3.3 miles, then turn right and continue to lake.