Description
Elevation: 1525 ft.
This heavily vegetated pond lies next to the Saint Paul High School and Elementary School complex, making it an ideal venue for education. Its location in the center of a residential neighborhood is also advantageous for members of the local community. The Wetlands Estonoa Learning Center project is a nationally acclaimed student-based wetlands and outdoors education center that has a short loop trail. Several large hardwood species, such as yellow poplar, oaks, and maples surround the lake. These deciduous trees host a number of eastern woodland birds including red-eyed vireo, gray catbird, and downy woodpecker. While the lake fringes of the wetlands are heavily reeded, the center of the lake is covered with floating vegetation that provides numerous resting places for the many large dragonflies found in the area. Eastern pondhawk, slaty skimmer and blue dasher are especially numerous at Wetlands Estonoa. The moister areas also hold rare treasures such as the eastern mud salamander.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Wetlands Estonoa:
51 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2024 | 8 | Lisa Mease |
| 5 May 2024 | 8 | DWR Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail Team |
| 7 Oct 2023 | 14 | Monica Hoel |
| 21 Sep 2023 | 6 | Roger Horn |
| 21 Sep 2023 | 6 | Kathleen Horn |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Site Amenities: Interpretive Program/Events
Maps & Directions
From Sugar Hill, return to the intersection of SR 63 and US 58 ALT. Continue straight through the intersection on SR 63/US 58 BUS for 0.4 miles to Fourth Street. Turn left onto Fourth Street and go one block to Buchanan Street, the last residential street before the Saint Paul Elementary/High School complex. Turn right on Buchanan Street, go one block to Fifth Street; the parking area on the left.
Site Information
Managed By:
- 0
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.
