Tobacco Heritage Trail – Boydton

The Tobacco Heritage Trail makes use of former railroad right-of-ways across Brunswick, Halifax, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg counties. Over 50 miles of multi-use trail segments are available to explore with plans for more to be added in the future. The trail segment in Boydton meanders for 1.06 miles along the edge of a mixed woodland between Washington Street and Route 386. This woodland is filled with familiar birds including northern cardinal, blue jay, northern mockingbird, Carolina wren and tufted titmouse. At times, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, or perhaps a flock of voracious cedar waxwings visit the area. In winter, these woods support white-throated sparrows and ruby-crowned kinglets. Any number of surprises could turn up in migration, including both scarlet and summer tanagers, and an assortment of warblers and vireos.

In spring and summer, the open fields and banks of the creek are alive with red-spotted purples, eastern tiger swallowtails, question marks and pearl crescents amongst a variety of wildflowers. Dragonflies to look for in the area include eastern pondhawks, common green darners and the occasional common whitetail.