Description
Lake Burnt Mills, a water supply for the City of Norfolk, is a 711-acre reservoir bordered by both dense woodlands and manicured grassy edges. During winter, waterfowl can be spotted with a spotting scope or binoculars from an elevated berm, and spotted sandpiper, yellowlegs, and other shorebirds can be seen during migration. The swampy embankments of this reservoir are home to a variety of amphibians including southern toad, pickerel and green frogs, and green treefrog. During summer, dragonflies and damselflies are also abundant.
Note: To boat, canoe, or kayak on the reservoir, a boat permit is required from the City of Norfolk.
Wildlife Sightings
104 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Burnt Mills:
- Canada Goose
- American Coot
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Wood Duck
- Northern Shoveler
- Gadwall
- American Wigeon
- Mallard
- American Black Duck
- Northern Pintail
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Feb 2026 | 3 | Marcy Shaffer |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 42 | David Clark |
| 8 Feb 2026 | 19 | Corby Amos |
| 8 Feb 2026 | 15 | David Clark |
| 7 Feb 2026 | 18 | Corby Amos |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Location: Intersection of Kirk Rd. and Everets Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434
From the Previous Site on the Suffolk Loop of the VBWT:
From Lone Star Lakes, return to SR 125 and turn right. Follow SR 125 to SR 10 and turn left. Follow this for 0.8 miles to Rt. 603. Veer off to the right onto Rt. 603 and follow it for 2.2 miles to Lake Burnt Mills. Viewable only by boat.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, Daily
Contact Information:
- City of Norfolk: 757-441-5678, david_rosenthal@norfolk.gov
- 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.