Start: GPS N 35, 53.679, E 78, 34.734
End: GPS N 35, 53.898, E 78, 35.163
There is easy access to this trail from the parking lot at Durant Nature Park, and the park is listed as a birding hotspot on the eBird site. A sign in the parking lot indicates that a lakeside trail of 1.3 miles can be accessed within the park, as well as a border trail of 2.2 miles. The park address is 8305 Camp Durant Road, and the Simms Branch Greenway trail is a short walk back down the road from the parking lot. Because the original intent of this project was to bird the entire Capital Greenway, which does not technically seem to include Durant Nature Park, I decided to forego birding the park (for now anyway) and stick with the roadway leading to the Greenway, and the Simms Branch Trail itself.
The eastern part of Simms Branch Trail starts at a point just across the creek from Durant Nature Park, and runs along the edge of the creek within sight of the park for much of its length.
This little section of the trail runs directly behind a line of houses. There was quite a bit of bird activity within a few hundred feet of the road, but there were also dogs barking at me from several backyards almost the entire time I stood there looking. Further along the trail was a little quieter, but it doesn't go for long and I quickly turned around and retraced my steps back to Camp Durant Road.
On the west side of the road, the situation is similar, with houses lining the trail on the north side, and a creek running along the trail on the other. However, there seemed to be fewer dogs out on this side. One of the houses not too far from the road had several feeders out, so I had a chance to see a number of species clustered in one place, although I ended up seeing most of them again further down the trail. The weather for this outing was clear with a light breeze at times, and temperatures were about 35 degrees Fahrenheit when I arrived.
Birds Sighted Along Camp Durant Road: Activity was light along the road leading up to the trail.
Ruby Crowned Kinglet: GPS N 35, 53.766, W 78, 34.754. Got a nice view of the crest on this one as the bird leaned downward.
Birds Sighted Along Short Section of Trail to the East of Camp Durant Road: Moderate activity within a couple hundred feet of the road.
Dark Eyed Junco: GPS N 35, 53.773, W 78, 34.696. I saw many of these over the course of the morning.
American Robin: Only saw one of these the whole morning.
Carolina Chickadee: Saw many of these at several locations.
White Throated Sparrow: Watched these while a chorus of dogs serenaded me. The birds didn't seem to mind.
Carolina Wren: Saw one of these in two different places on this outing.
Red Bellied Woodpecker: GPS N 35, 53.744, W 78, 34.639.
This section of the trail ends at GPS N 35, 53.680, W 78, 34.552.
Brown Creeper: GPS N 35, 53.785, W 78, 34.552. In a tree next to the house with several bird feeders.
Tufted Titmouse: Saw several of these today, including a few around the feeders.
Northern Cardinal: First sighted at the feeders. Saw a few others further down the trail.
American Goldfinch: At the feeders and in its winter plumage. This is a new one for the Greenway list.
Turkey Vultures (in flight): At least three of these. The group was partially obscured by houses.
Yellow-Rumped Warbler: GPS N 35, 53.761, W 78, 35.163. Saw at least two different birds at different times.
Downy Woodpecker: GPS N 35, 53.806, W 78, 35.177.
This part of the trail ends at Hiking Trail Rd, near the intersection with Clivedon Drive. Across the road is a continuation of the trail which I will explore next time. I turned around here at around 11:00 AM and retraced my steps.
New Birds Sighted on Return Trip:
Brown Thrasher: GPS N 35, 53.859, W 78, 35.242.
Northern Mockingbird: GPS N 35, 53.697, W 78, 34.953.
I spotted a total of 17 species along this part of the Simms Branch Trail, and one new bird for the Greenway list (American Goldfinch), bringing the total to 33 unique species so far.
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