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.