Bird Watching at its Best

Rockingham County’s landscape is home to a large variety of birds. With three designated sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail, bird watchers are sure to be pleased with the sights here.

Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail

Part of the America’s National Trails System, this public walking trail offers over 1.5 miles of exceptional views and is part of the Upper Piedmont Research Station. Watch for migrating and breeding songbirds in the forested portions of the trail. Common species include the Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern Meadowlark, as well as Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks soaring overhead.

Lake Reidsville

Two nature trails in the park provide the best bird watching opportunities at Lake Reidsville. Species commonly seen at Lake Reidsville include the Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting and many wintering waterfowl.

*There is a minimal entry fee into the park.

The Dan River

Located between Madison and Eden, the Dan River offers 38 miles of bird tracking adventure in Rockingham County. This birding trail is good for those who like to canoe and is easy enough to follow for those who may be novice or intermediate paddlers. Bird watching enthusiasts should request a copy of the Rockingham County Rivers Guide in order to plan a trip along this trail.

Paddlers along this section of the river may hear the songs of species such as the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Hooded Warbler and Summer Tanager. Other species frequently heard or spotted along the Dan include the Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered or Red-tailed Hawks, Wood