“In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”
– Robert Lynd
Tucked in the heart of Virginia, Farmville offers the rural spaces and quiet trails of a birder’s paradise. Virginia’s temperate climate and an oasis of meadows, thickets, and woodland creates natural nesting areas, offering plentiful food sources for our winged friends. From the treetops to the underbrush, many species of birds find a home in Farmville, and May is one of the best times to catch them in action!
Whether you’re a backyard birdwatcher or a seasoned ornithologist, you’ll appreciate the spectacular sightings and variety of species you will encounter on a day’s adventure. So pack your binoculars and your birding guide, fill your water bottle, and check out our custom itinerary, which includes two of Prince Edward County’s best birding sites, as well as a few places to rest and recharge during your journey.
Wilck’s Lake: Where the Early Bird Gets the Worm
Early morning means prime time for birders. Grab a thermos of coffee and head to Wilck’s Lake Nature Trail on West Third Street. While the 55-acre lake is located only a minute’s drive from downtown Farmville, its 1.6-mile nature trail offers one of the best natural spots in the area for wildlife sightings. Multiple habitats provide a number of species with river, swamp and marshland homes. You’ll find an observation deck (affectionately dubbed the “flight deck”) set off the main trail at the edge of the marsh, offering a quiet location for viewings.
New to birdwatching? Wilck’s Lake is the perfect place to start. Along its shaded pathway, you’ll encounter a series of informational signs that will help you learn to identify Virginia’s common birds by sight and sound. Expect to see the Canada goose, cardinals, and various songbirds. Listen for the prothonotary warbler’s quick tweets and trills as you try to catch sight of its bright yellow feathers. Watch the water’s edge for osprey and great blue herons that like to fish at the shore.
Charley’s Waterfront Cafe
For a midday pick-me-up, stop by Charley’s Waterfront Cafe, which offers riverside dining on a deck overlooking the Appomattox River. It’s the perfect place to relax, refresh, and enjoy the sounds of running water and birdsong with wooded views. First time at Charley’s? You can’t miss the hometown favorite: hot crab dip. Fresh crab meat sauteed with roasted red peppers, blended with cream cheese, and served with a French baguette. After this appetizer, take your pick of soups, salads, sandwiches, or entrees, including the Cobb salad, Smithfield pimento grilled cheese, and the burger, simply titled “The Waterfront,” loaded with caramelized onions, brie, bacon, provolone, sea salt and pepper mayo — all on a potato roll.
Sandy River Reservoir: Birding on the Water
For an afternoon adventure, travel five minutes outside town to Sandy River Reservoir. This 740-acre manmade lake opened in 1994 and has been a hot spot for birders and anglers ever since. The lake features a variety of habitats, including rocky coves, sandy beaches, and areas of flooded timber, which create perfect hideaways for a variety of species.
Ready to have the one-of-a-kind experience of birding on the water? Stop by Sandy River Outdoor Adventures in Rice, Va., to gear up for your afternoon paddle. If you have minimal boating experience, try a single or tandem kayak, both of which are stable and easy to maneuver. Have a bit more expertise? Try a one or two-person canoe or even a stand-up paddleboard.
As you enter the water, look for the ring-billed gulls on the shoreline. Paddling alongside the standing timber, you might encounter red-headed woodpeckers or nuthatches. Diving ducks, grebes and loons can be spotted in the deeper waters. As you float lazily on the lake, don’t forget to look overhead for bluebirds, kestrels, and even bald eagles.
Bird’s Eye View: Catbird Rooftop Terrace
Finish your day with a panoramic view of Farmville from the top of the Weyanoke Hotel. Known for its unique atmosphere and fifth-floor vistas, the Catbird Rooftop Terrace opens on Friday and Saturday evenings at 4:30 p.m. to serve drinks and small plates al fresco. For refreshment, try a signature cocktail, the peachy keen sangria, or a housemade lemonade. Small plates include “shareables” like salmon dip or a charcuterie board, as well as soups, salads, and “handhelds.”
While you rest and recharge, take in the sunset view from the skies. Use your eagle eye to pick out some of Longwood’s iconic buildings, such as the Rotunda. You might just add to your field list during your meal.
Local Lore: Farmvillians’ Birdwatching Tips
To get the inside scoop on bird life, we interviewed Betty Leslie, a local birdwatcher who has lived in Farmville since 1976. Check out a few of our insider tips:
Q: What are some of the best places to birdwatch in Farmville and its surrounding areas, like Wilck’s Lake, the High Bridge Trail, and Sandy River Reservoir? When is the best time of day to birdwatch in Farmville?
LESLIE: My favorite place is watching them in my yard, but other than that, my favorite would be High Bridge because you can see the egrets or herons down at the river. And you’ve got a great view when they take off. If you’re actually on the river, you see a lot of them as you travel down it.
I think the best time [to birdwatch] is in the morning. If you get up early, that’s all you hear—a credenda of bird calls. An orchestra. I imagine that’s also the best time to look for them.
Q: What’s your favorite book or online resource used to identify local birds or even bird calls?
LESLIE: I’ve got all kinds of books on birds and reptiles, but my favorite bird book is one titled The Birdwatcher’s Activity Book by Donald Heintzelman. He’s also got another one titled A Manual for Bird Watching in the Americas.
Q: What types of birds can Farmville birders expect to see during May?
LESLIE: During the springtime, robins are usually the first ones out. They come in around April with the hummingbirds, and May is a great time to put out their feeders.
Q: What’s your favorite bird to spot, and what do you love most about it?
LESLIE: Believe it or not, I like to see the buzzards. You see them nesting in the morning and bathing their wings in the early sun. I like them because they nest in huge groups, sometimes taking up two or three trees. They always rest in dead trees so they can get the most sun. Sometimes, they also line up on fences, and it’s cool to see them all in a row as you go past.
Q: Please describe the rarest, coolest or most exciting bird you’ve sighted in the area.
LESLIE: The herons or the egrets are the coolest. They’re on the water, and they have a huge wingspan, so they’re fun to see as they take off down the river.
For more information on birding in the heart of Virginia, visit the Margaret Watson Bird Club website where you’ll find a local photo gallery and blog. You can also explore the Virginia Society of Ornithology website, which has a great list of birding resources as well as upcoming field trips and events in the Commonwealth. Visiting on May 28? Go on a guided tour of the Smyth Trail at High Bridge State Park, where you’ll search for common birds found in Virginia’s woods.
We look forward to welcoming amateurs and experts alike as they flock to Farmville this spring!