Deep Run Park

Deep Run Park has an extensive area of woodlands dotted with ponds as well as a swampy creek bed complete with boardwalk. Mixed-use trails crisscross through the woods and encircle each of the ponds. While traveling around the ponds look for eastern painted turtles and eastern river cooters basking near the surface. As you scan, don’t forget to look for eastern amberwings, slaty skimmers and other dragonflies skimming the surface. Check along the wooded streambeds between ponds for eastern phoebes sitting quietly, occasionally joined by a red-shouldered hawk soaring overhead.

Male mallards transitioning from eclipse to breeding plumage take refuge at one of the lakes. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

As you enter the woods listen in the leaf litter for the rustling of five-lined skinks or perhaps an eastern box turtle. Amongst the Northern Cardinals and Carolina Wrens, listen for the sharp calls of Northern Flicker or Brown Thrasher. Once winter comes, Yellow-rumped Warblers can be heard chipping in the treetops and American Goldfinches scattering overhead in small overly energetic flocks. For those with good hearing, the high pitched squeaks and whistles of Cedar Waxwings and Golden-crowned Kinglets can be heard. Butterflies are also numerous in the park and viceroys, question marks, pearl crescents and others should all be looked for amongst the blooming wildflowers, and along the moist creek beds.