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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Kim Wells, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-217-1077, kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov

Machicomoco State Park debuts new trail
Check out the bluebird boxes along Songbird Trail

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Maintenance team at Machicomoco State Park)

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Songbird Trailhead at Machicomoco State Park)

HAYES, Va. – Machicomoco State Park opened a new hiking trail called the Songbird Trail.

The new trail is rated easy to navigate and will provide opportunities for peaceful birding and wildlife observations. It is 0.3 miles long and is the first trail at the park dedicated to birding.

The park has 6.5 miles of trail including a 3.1 mile paved foot/bicycle trail that circles the main road on the park site. A footpath of gravel, oyster shells and mown grass can be found at the interpretive area and totals .7 of a mile. The natural trail runs 2.4 miles from the interpretive area, through the car-top kayak launch, and near the campgrounds at the trailhead parking lot.

“Our park as of Aug. 26, 2024, has had 194 different species of birds identified,” said Machicomoco Chief Ranger Josh Mazzatenta. “The trail intersects with our existing trail system so it will allow visitors to take different routes when exploring the park. It also will give our interpretive department more opportunities for sharing the birding experience with our visitors through programming.”

The trail cuts through grasslands and has several benches to allow for peaceful relaxation and wildlife observation. Bluebird boxes are setup along the trail to give birds a safe space to relax and lay eggs. The Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist Chapter received grant money from the Virginia Bluebird Society to install six bluebird boxes in the park.

“During the nesting season this year, Master Naturalist volunteers collected data such as number of eggs, number of hatchlings, and which bluebird boxes saw the most activity,” said Mazzatenta. “Once all the baby birds have left the nest, the volunteers would go in and clean the boxes, allowing for the bluebirds to return to a clean space to lay more eggs.”

The Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist chapter is planning to install an additional six bluebird boxes in early 2025 along the second half of the trail.

Special thanks to the Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist Chapter, Virginia Bluebird Society, Machicomoco volunteers, the district resource team and the Machicomoco maintenance team.

Download the Avenza app for the most up-to-date map of the park. Paper maps with the new trail may not be in stock yet at the park office.

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