Echo Lake Park

This modest lake sits on the Meredith Branch of the Chickahominy River, northwest of Richmond. Home to Canada geese year-round, Echo Lake‘s upper swampier reaches host Mallards, Green Herons, and Eastern Phoebes. In migration, check for other species of ducks or shorebirds in the shallower areas. Follow the walking trail surrounding the lake through patches of mature deciduous trees as it heads upstream along Meredith Branch. Check the waterside trees for Belted Kingfishers or listen for their far-carrying rattle.

Once in the woods watch and listen for eastern chipmunks and gray squirrels which seem to pop up everywhere. Woodpeckers also appear in numbers with Red-bellied and Downy being especially numerous, and Northern Flickers stopping in from time to time. Migrant warblers and vireos supplement resident Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice. The lake acts as a magnet for dragonflies, especially the striking widow and slaty skimmers, eastern amberwings and common whitetails. Butterflies are also plentiful; look for hackberry emperors, common buckeyes and pearl crescents fluttering along the shore.