Description
Dragon’s Swamp flows through this bottomland forest and provides year round viewing opportunities for a diversity of passerines. Spring migrations produce an abundance of wood warblers, including the prothonotary warbler. Some warblers can still be found in the woods in summer along with other common woodland inhabitants. Fall produces fewer migrants than the spring, but Swainson’s and gray-cheeked thrushes can occur on the forest floor; occasionally Baltimore orioles can be seen in the tall sycamores and oaks. Winter months can provide productive viewing for common winter bird species as well as the variety of mammals that inhabit the site. Visitors are reminded to observe property rights and not to trespass upon adjacent private property.
Wildlife Sightings
126 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Friends of Dragon Run Teta Kain Nature Preserve:
- Wood Duck
- Turkey Vulture
- Bald Eagle
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- American Crow
- Carolina Chickadee
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Mar 2026 | 16 | Sherry Rollins |
| 14 Mar 2026 | 24 | Mike Grose |
| 10 Mar 2026 | 25 | Maryanna Fisher |
| 6 Mar 2026 | 17 | Sherry Rollins |
| 3 Mar 2026 | 15 | Maryanna Fisher |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
Accessibility Considerations
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
From the Glenns Campus of Rappahannock Community College, return to SR 33 and turn left. Travel to the stoplight and turn left onto US 17/SR 33 North. Follow US 17/SR 33 North to Saluda and then bear left onto US 17 North. Follow this road for approximately 3.6 miles to Rt. 603 and turn left onto Rt. 603. Continue on Rt. 603 for approximately 3 miles and turn right into the dirt parking area immediately before the bridge. Friends of Dragon Run, Inc. owns slightly less than 7 acres of forestland along the banks of the stream here. This tract is marked with yellow, diamond-shaped Conservation Area signs.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, Daily
Contact Information:
- 703-801-0239; presidentdragonrun@gmail.com
- 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.


