The Wetlands, James River Park System

The site offers a number of different trails including one from the parking lot straight towards the James River (east) that leads to a pond with three blinds overlooking the wetlands. The trail provides access to hardwood stands, brushy thickets, meadows, wetlands, and dense riparian thickets along the river.

Birds, reptiles, and amphibians utilize the dense cover of the swamp forest habitat. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

The pond on site is likely to attract American bittern, marsh wren and pied-billed grebe. Closer to the river, in the upland forests, look for nesting birds, including several species of warblers. The adjacent meadows are used by a variety of wintering sparrows. The river provides views of waterfowl, bald eagle and osprey at most any time of the year. Along the shoreline in late spring and summer, look for brown water snakes and river cooters basking on the rocks. In early spring, listen for spring peepers and chorus frogs singing and during summer, listen for toads sing during warm rains.