Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

Description

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve is the last bit of undeveloped property in the Hoffler Creek watershed. Contained in this 142-acre suburban wilderness area are four distinct habitats: the tidal creek and its expansive salt marsh, a riparian forest of pines and hardwoods, a meadow of native wildflowers and grasses, and a non-tidal brackish lake in the center of the preserve. The synergy of these distinct habitats supports an unusually diverse population of plant and animal life typical of the mid-Atlantic coastal plain, including deer, foxes, river otters, crabs, oysters, and birds.

Currently the preserve offers four short, easy hiking trails. The Bluebird Trail passes through a restored meadow and ends at a large observation deck overhanging a thriving salt marsh community. The Riparian Trail winds through the riparian forest touching the shores of Hoffler Creek, a salty tidal creek at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The interpretive Homestead Trail explores the historical and cultural uses of the trees and plants growing in the succession forest now claiming the land used by truck farmers for nearly two hundred years. This trail ends at a bird blind with views of the mouth of Hoffler Creek and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel spanning the Hampton Roads harbor. The Lake Trail encircles the 32-acre manmade lake and is filled with birds and animals dependent on the abundant food sources provided in this edge community. The trail offers access to a pier extending into Hoffler Creek, the site of a demonstration oyster garden and small oyster bed. Raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl are common sights from all of the trails and observation points at the preserve.

Birding blind on the Homestead Trail.

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve Foundation, a small 501c-3 nonprofit, manages the Preserve for the purposes of conservation, education, research, and passive recreation. Interpretive tours and educational programs are available upon request. Please call or check the website for a calendar of special events and programs.

Directions

Physical Address: 4510 Twin Pines Road, Portsmouth, Virginia 23703

From I-664, take Exit #9 onto SR 164. Follow this for 2.0 miles to Towne Point Rd/Twin Pines Rd, turn left off the exit ramp and proceed straight for approximately 2.0 miles. The preserve entrance is on the left.