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Thrasher Lake Park

Description

Elevation: 708 ft.

Thrasher Lake is an excellent spot for a picnic and an excursion looking for birds, dragonflies, butterflies, and other wildlife. The lake hosts a variety of waterfowl in the winter months such as visiting American widgeon, ruddy duck, and hooded merganser. The banks of the lake often support green heron or sunning eastern painted turtle. The surrounding hillsides create rising air that is perfect for soaring raptors. Check the numerous soaring turkey vultures for the less frequent black vulture and the occasional red-tailed or broad-winged hawk. By standing quietly near the boat dock a variety of dragonflies can be found and easily approached. Eastern amberwing, blue dasher, widow and slaty skimmers, eastern pondhawk, and common whitetail are all regularly present and have been sporadically joined by Halloween pennant.

Wildlife Sightings

Birds Recently Seen at Thrasher Lake Park:

  • Canada Goose
  • Lesser Scaup
  • Mourning Dove
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Double-crested Cormorant
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Bald Eagle
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker

164 species have been reported at this site to date.

Recent Checklists:

Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
20 Mar 202622Michael Boatwright
16 Mar 202616Mark Johnson
13 Mar 20267Evan Spears
8 Mar 202621Donna Mateski de Sanchez
8 Mar 202621Mark Johnson

See more recent checklists…

Amenities & Accessibility Considerations

Site Amenities

  • On-site Parking
  • Restrooms
  • Kayak/Canoe Launch
  • Boat Ramp
  • No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement

Maps & Directions

View on Google Maps

Location: End of Thrashers Lake Rd/SR 829, Amherst, VA 24521

From the previous site on the Sleeping Giant Loop of the VBWT:

From the Mount Pleasant Scenic Area, return to US 60 and head east for 9.9 miles to SR 610. Go north 1.4 miles to SR 617. Turn left and continue 0.5 miles to SR 829/Thrashers Lake Road. Turn left and continue 0.2 miles to the lake.

Site Information

Managed By:

  • Amherst County

Access Requirements:

Contact Information:

  • Visit Website
  • Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.

About the VBWT

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a network of over 600 greenspaces and blueways throughout the Commonwealth selected for their wildlife viewing potential. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook and you’ll soon see why Virginia is a premier destination for birding and wildlife viewing.

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