Description
Tucked away behind the Hanover County government complex, the Lake Hanover Nature Trail descends through a stand of hardwood trees to the large wetland along this section of Mechumps Creek. The trees are a favorite of songbirds. During migration, warblers and other neotropical species stop in to refuel and the lucky visitor may see Blackpoll, Tennessee, Blue-winged, Bay-breasted, or Worm-eating warblers, as well as Veery, Swainson’s, Gray-cheeked, and Hermit thrushes, just to name a few. Listen for Barred Owls asking “who cooks for you” and the plaintive hoot-hoot of Great Horned Owls. The wetlands host a diverse array of species, from Wilson’s Snipe to Virginia Rail, Great Blue Heron to Great Egret, and Green-winged Teal to Green Heron. The area is also home to a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including Eastern Hognose and Eastern Copperhead snakes, Eastern Mud and Painted turtles, Fowler’s Toad, and Northern Cricket Frog.
Notes:
- Restrooms are available in the Hanover Branch Library and the Department of Motor Vehicles office during normal operating hours.
Wildlife Sightings
166 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Lake Hanover Nature Trail:
- Canada Goose
- Black Vulture
- Turkey Vulture
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Barred Owl
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Blue Jay
- American Crow
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | 18 | Will Shattuck |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 8 | Wyatt Herndon |
| 6 Feb 2026 | 28 | Todd Dixon |
| 24 Jan 2026 | 10 | Jeremy McEntire |
| 23 Jan 2026 | 20 | Baxter Beamer |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Amenities: Hiking Trails
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 Address: 7490 Library Dr, Hanover, VA 23069
Parking area GPS coordinates: 37.763435, -77.364607
From Richmond, head north on I-95, take exit 92A to merge onto VA-54 E/E Patrick Henry Rd toward Hanover, turn right on US-301/Hanover Courthouse Rd, turn left onto Library Dr, take the first right to stay on Library Dr, and follow it to the parking area.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, Daily sunrise-sunset
Contact Information:
- 804-365-7150, parksandrec@hanovercounty.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.