We%26#39;re planning a trip to Williamsburg in May. We%26#39;ve taken several trips before, but this time I%26#39;d like to explore some natural areas. (My favorite part of Jamestown is the bridge across the swamp!)What are the best places nearby for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, etc? We%26#39;ve driven the parkway over to Yorktown--any great areas to stop and walk? We%26#39;re traveling with two children, so we can%26#39;t go too far off the beaten path, but I%26#39;d appreciate any ideas for places to appreciate the wetlands and forests. Thanks!
Williamsburg natureWilliamsburg is an interesting and beautiful place; and there are many areas to hike and enjoy nature. Here are a few:
York River State Park www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/yor.shtml lots of trails, river, very scenic, %26lt;30 min from W%26#39;burg visitors center
Wallers Mill Park W%26#39;burg, nice easy trails, lake, www.ci.williamsburg.va.us/dept/rec/parks.htm this website lists all parks in W%26#39;burg
New Quarter Park %26amp; Trails from rt143 - at rt 143 Penniman rd tfc light turn east onto Penniman/turn left onto Hubbard Lane/after you go under overpass make an immediate right turn onto Lakeshead dr and follow road until you reach New Quarter Park entrance. I went when trails were still in progress (over a year ago), should be exceptional at this point, very nice area just off Colonial Parkway.
Newport News City Park has 30 miles of trails, located about %26lt;30 min from W%26#39;burg, water, lots of deer, golf course too, nngov.com/parks-and-recreation/…nnparkmap
One of my favorite hikes is in Newport News, %26lt;30 min from W%26#39;burg at Mariners Museum (great museum) called Noland trail, 5 mi around lake Maury, birds, turtles, very scenic, don%26#39;t have to walk the entire trail just go as far as you like and return.
Enjoy your trip. Happy trails.
Williamsburg natureThanks! This is just what I was looking for. What will be blooming in the first/second week of May?
Sorry, I can give you trail information but all I can say about what%26#39;s blooming is that I%26#39;m probably allergic to it! Maybe someone familiar with the area flora will chime in and answer your question. Happy trails.
Ha ha, Aster, you are only in Gettysburg -- anything blooming in Wburg the 2nd week May will probably be blooming in Gburg one or two weeks later!
Just remember last year %26amp; add a couple of weeks!
I am from Washington Crossing NJ just north of Trenton. You sound like you can%26#39;t wait for spring, too. What%26#39;s blooming where you live?
Me, only a few crocuses.
We are going to be in Wburg area the second week of July -- if I wanted to do the nature thing (and the second week of July I might not; pretty hot %26amp; humid) I might check out the local Audubon Soc %26amp; see what they have in that part of VA. Also find their website where their members post sightings; that tells you where things are happening.
We crossed that bridge across the swamp last year late in the day when the visitor center was closed -- and all the critters were coming back out. Turtles, birds, etc.
In May, maybe the warblers are still moving north. They are arriving here, then. Maybe horseshoe crabs are coming up into the shallows to lay eggs -- the early birds; I think it%26#39;s really early June for that. Check out the moon %26amp; google for info on them. They are a big deal in NJ; I don%26#39;t know to what extent they use the waters of VA. There s a big problem with conch fishermen who ';harvest'; them to cut up for conch bait. Too cheap to buy bait -- they grab animals, esp females, just asthey are coming up to lay their eggs. Can%26#39;t even wait till the eggs are laid.
Hey, we are going to be in Gettysburg for a reunion around Apr 17 and a college visit for a teen-- what will be blooming? (Hee hee) See you then!
My children always enjoyed going to the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News to see all of the animals. It%26#39;s a nice walk through the trees and along the creek. They take in injured and orphaned animals and have nice exhibits about the local geography and wildlife.
http://www.thevlm.org/
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