County Park at Great Creek

Description

County Park introduces visitors to large areas of rolling open fields and patches of woods in various stages of growth. The numerous tree lines support northern mockingbirds, which constantly harass the resident American kestrel and the occasional red-tailed hawk. At times, family groups of northern flickers, with their bright flight feathers and white rumps, pass through the area exploring all the trees for potential prey, and making quite a racket as they call back and forth to each other. The park is equipped with a boat landing that allows people to explore Great Creek Lake for waterbirds such as, great blue herons and wood ducks. Less frequent birds drop in from time to time such as double-crested cormorants and a wide variety of waterfowl, especially during the winter months.

The swampy wetlands next to the boat landing buzz with the wings of dragonflies. This makes a great opportunity to see the difference between similar species such as, male common whitetails and widow skimmers or big male eastern pondhawks with the small blue dashers. Even the tiny eastern amberwing can be found skimming across the surface of the water. Along the shore, the damp soil attracts clouds of butterflies including the bizarre-looking American snout and the fantastically bold eastern tiger swallowtail.

Directions

Physical Address: 1000 Park Place, Lawrenceville, Va. 23868

From I-95 S near Emporia, take exit 11B to merge onto US 58 W/W Atlantic St toward S Hill. In 16.9 miles, take the US 58 W exit toward SR 46 N and turn right onto US 58 BUS W. In 1.4 miles, turn right onto W church St and then slightly right onto SR 46 N/Windsor Ave. In 1.9 miles, turn left onto Park Pl.