Lake Nelson

Elevation: 600 ft.

This 40-acre lake offers its best wildlife watching in the fall and winter when waterfowl such as mallard, black duck, gadwall, American widgeon, ruddy duck and hooded merganser augment the large groups of resident Canada geese that already call the lake home. During migration periods the lake may also host traveling shorebirds with spotted and solitary sandpipers likely to drop in and spend time with the breeding killdeers. In the spring and summer, the lake is home to a variety of dragonflies including widow and slaty skimmers, eastern pondhawk and eastern amberwing. The woodlands surrounding the lake host a variety of eastern woodland species and a visit in spring or summer is likely to produce the brilliant yellow flashes of American goldfinch twittering overhead and eastern tiger swallowtail sailing past in search of the next landing pad.

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