Trail 28: Neuse River Trail - Anderson Point North Part A

09/22/2012.  9:00 AM.

Start:  GPS N 35, 46.463, W 78, 32.510
End:   GPS N 35, 47.951, W 78, 32.451

This part of the Neuse River Trail runs north along the west bank of the Neuse River starting at Anderson Point Park, which is located at 20 Anderson Point Drive.  The park itself is situated south of the Knightdale bypass (Hwy 264 or 54), and access to the trail from the park is by means of an overpass.  However, there is another parking lot near the intersection of Anderson Point Dr. and Neuse View Dr that is much closer to the part of the trail that runs along the river.  This parking lot also provides access to a canoe launch on the Neuse River.  My outing began at this parking lot.  There are plans to eventually connect Anderson Point Park to the Crabtree Creek Trail, but it appears that this project is not yet complete.

This trail is one that I had visited a couple of times before, back when I tended to go birding only once or twice a year.  At the time I did not know it was part of the Capital Area Greenway system, and thought it was just an extension of Anderson Point Park.  The trail is better marked now.  This trail was the first place I ever saw a Red Headed Woodpecker, and it was not paved the last time I visited.  The trail is now paved, seems to follow a somewhat different course than it did before (generally closer to the river's edge), and has two access points from across the river via footbridges.  One of these appears to join up with a new trail called the Mingo Creek Trail, and the other leads to Loch Raven Parkway.  I ended my outing for the day at the Loch Raven Parkway entrance, and will hopefully complete this part of the Neuse River Trail on my next outing.

Birds Seen Between Parking Lot and Mingo Creek Access Point:

Northern Cardinal:  Visible from parking lot.

Northern Mockingbird:  GPS N 35, 46.474, W 78, 32.573.

European Starling:  Cluster of three birds on a high tension power line.

Mourning Dove:  GPS N 35, 56.625, W 78, 32.331.

Birds Seen Between Mingo Creek Access Bridge and New Bern Ave. Overpass:  See photo at left for the Mingo Creek Bridge.

American Crow:  GPS N 35, 46.854, W 78, 32.282.

American Robin:  Perched high in a tree.

Blue Jay:  GPS N 35, 46.959, W 78, 32.266

Red Bellied Woodpecker:  Same area as Blue Jay.

Canada Goose:  GPS N 35, 47.399, W 78, 32.184.  A flock of about 15-20 birds in flight.

The New Bern overpass is located at GPS N 35, 47.586, W 78, 32.357.  Prior to reaching this overpass, there is a boardwalk under construction over what is probably at times a marshy area.  Currently, trail users must follow a somewhat muddy path that diverts around the new construction.  Presumably this boardwalk will be completed soon.

Birds Sighted Between New Bern Ave. and the Loch Raven Parkway Access Point:

Tufted Titmouse:  GPS N 35, 47.680, W 78, 32.507.

Carolina Chickadee:  In same trees with Titmice.

Gray Catbird:  GPS N 35, 47.752, W 78, 32.566.

Brown Thrasher:  GPS N 35, 47.791, W 78, 32.557.

Along this part of the trail, I did see two or three species that I was unable to identify.  In one case, I saw a flash of yellow color but did not get to see the bird through my binoculars.  In two others, they were species that I did not immediately recognize and I got only a brief look, not enough to make a firm identification.  The vegetation was quite thick along the trail in many places, which made it difficult to get long looks at the birds.  I suspect this would be a much better place to come in a few weeks when the trees have shed some of their leaves.

New Species Sighted on the Return Trip:  I saw no new species on the return trip until I was almost back to the parking lot.

Turkey Vulture:  GPS N 35, 46.456, W 78, 32.471.  Two birds in flight.

This was a somewhat disappointing outing, as I only identified 14 species.  None were new species for the Raleigh Greenway list.  I remember my previous trips here being more productive.  The poor showing could have something to do with the time of year, or it might relate to the new construction along this trail.  Perhaps the wildlife has not completely adjusted to the changes in the trail yet.  I hope to continue north and find the end of this trail on my next outing.

Trail 27: Lake Lynn Trail

08/30/2012.  8:45 AM.

Start & End:  GPS N 35, 53.265, W 78, 41.844

The Lake Lynn Trail is a 2.8 mile path that begins at the Lake Lynn Community Center (7921 Ray Road) and includes a loop of about 2.1 miles around Lake Lynn. The lake is artificial and was apparently set up to control flooding. The trail around the Lake is connected at its southern end to the Haresnipe Creek Trail, but appears to simply follow along Lynn Road west to Leesville Road, then south to West Millbrook Road.  I have chosen not to report on trails that are primarily or exclusively roadside trails for this project.

There are two other public access points to the Lake Lynn Trail, one on Lynn Road, the other on Glenharden Drive, as well as several more from surrounding apartment complexes. This trail is the closest part of the Capital Area Greenway to my own home, so I have been here to walk a number of times before, but never with my binoculars. The trail is often busy, even on weekday mornings, and is a popular place for exercise.

The pathway leading from the community center parking lot to the Lake Lynn loop passes through a marshy area where deer are sometimes seen. The northern part of the lake is quite shallow and is a popular hangout for domesticated ducks and geese, as well as Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and an abundance of turtles. Snapping turtles are also found occasionally in this area. The southern section of the lake has deeper water and fewer water birds, but most of this area is still lined with trees, providing the possibility of seeing other birds.  My outing began at the Lake Lynn Community Center parking lot.

Birds Sighted Along Marshy Area Between Parking Lot and Lake:

The morning began a bit slowly, then picked up after about 9:15 AM. I returned along this section at the end of the outing and had much better luck at that time (see below).

Blue Jay:  This bird was spotted in the parking lot.

Gray Catbird:  GPS N 35, 53.220, W 78, 41.876.

Northern Cardinal:  Same area as the Catbird.


Birds Sighted Along East Side of Lake Lynn Loop:

Mallard:  GPS N 35, 53.038, W 78, 41.974.  At least fifty were present.

Canada Goose:  In same area with mallards.

Green Heron: GPS N 35, 53.022, W 78, 41.973. There were three of these out on the flats. I chatted with a photographer who told me there are six of these who frequent the lake. This is a new bird for the Raleigh Greenway List.

White Breasted Nuthatch: GPS N 35, 52.609, W 78, 41.828.

Hairy Woodpecker:  In same area with the Nuthatch. Got a good look at the long beak and the dark stripe in front of the shoulder.

Song Sparrow: GPS N 35, 52.581, W 78, 41.807. Perched on a post near one of the apartment complexes.

Red Bellied Woodpecker:  GPS N 35, 52.484, W 78, 41.799.  Amid the pine trees on the grounds of an apartment complex.

Birds Sighted Along West Side of Lake Lynn Loop:

Mourning Dove:  GPS N 35, 52.355, W 78, 41.789.

Northern Mockingbird:  GPS N 35, 52.648, W 78, 42.064

Great Blue Heron:  GPS N 35, 52.850, W 78, 42.064. This bird was perched in a tree near the boardwalk pictured at left. The photographer told me there are four of them who frequent the lake.

Belted Kingfisher:  GPS N 35, 53.032, W 78, 42.037. I have seen this bird here a couple of times before as well. It seems to like to stand in a partly denuded tree on the north end of the lake on the east side. But the tree is only visible from the west side, near the northern end of the trail.

Birds Sighted On Return Path to Community Center Parking Lot:

Fish Crow: GPS N 35, 53.039, W 78, 41.975. Confirmed by sound of call.

Tufted Titmouse: GPS N 35, 53.175, W 78, 41.912. This one turned out to be a bit difficult to find.

Pileated Woodpecker: GPS N 35, 53.191, W 78, 41.903. This was probably the highlight of the day for me. I haven't seen one of these since my outing on the Neuse River Trail last winter, and I have never seen one at the park before. It did not stay long, but was nice to see.

Common Grackle: GPS N 35, 53.195, W 78, 41.902. Saw several of these moving through the swampy area.

Turkey Vulture:  Saw two of these in flight from the parking lot.

I ended the outing with a total of 19 species for the day, and one new addition to the Capital Area Greenway List. That brings the total to 61 species since December of last year.