Pickett CCC Memorial Birding
Notification Alert
Boat Dock and Swimming Area Closed for Accessibility Improvements
The boat dock and swimming area are closed to the public for accessibility improvements.
Guests will not be permitted access to these areas for safety reasons. Guests will be permitted to bring their personal canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards during this time.
Campground Closure
Pickett CCC Memorial State Park's Campground will be closed from May 26, 2025, to mid-2026 for renovations to the bathhouse and campground.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Birding at Pickett CCC Memorial
Year-round residents include red-tailed hawk, owls, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, eastern towhee, and field and song sparrows.
In summer, breeding whip-poor-wills can be heard singing at dawn and dusk, while hooded warbler, worm-eating warbler, wood thrush, and ruby-throated hummingbirds can be found during the day. Flycatchers, eastern wood pewee, blue-gray gnatcatcher, vireos, warblers, and tanagers are also found in summer. Northern rough-winged swallows and eastern phoebes nest on rock faces.
In winter, yellow-bellied sapsucker, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, winter wren, hermit thrush, kinglets, yellow-rumped warbler, purple finch, and sparrows can be encountered.
Over 131 species of birds have been observed primarily in spring, summer, and fall.
Featured Birds
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Eastern Towhee
- Wood Thrush
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Eastern Phoebe
- Northern Cardinal
- Eastern Bluebird
- Owls
- Wood Duck
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Carolina Wren
- Field Sparrow
- Song Sparrow
- Vireos
- Warblers
- Tanagers
- American Robin
- Blue Jay
- Carolina Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Brown Creeper
- Winter Wren
- Hermit Thrush
- Kinglets
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Purple Finch
- Sparrows
- Dark-eyed Junco
- American Goldfinch
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Northern Bobwhite
- Wild Turkey
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Cliff Swallow
- Indigo Bunting
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Blue-headed Vireo
- Ovenbird
- Common Hooded Warbler
- Swainson’s Warbler
- Black-throated Green Warbler
- Worm-eating Warbler
- Pine Warbler
- Scarlet Tanager
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Hairy Woodpecker
Birding Locations
A hiking map is available at the park.
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Picnic Area Loop Road
Featured birds: Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Towhee, Wood ThrushThis paved road in the picnic area provides a great view of the lake.
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Hazard Cave Loop Trail
Featured birds: Vireos, Warblers, Tanagers, American Robin, White-breasted NuthatchThis trail traverses a variety of habitats including oak-hickory forest, hemlock forest, and large rhododendron and mountain laurel shrubs.
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Ladder Trail
Featured birds: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Hermit ThrushThis loop trail follows Thompson Creek and features two single-rung ladders along a sandstone bluff line. Although the trail is open year-round, ice in winter may occasionally restrict access to the ladders. This trail also features a historic CCC trail shelter. -
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Pogue Creek Canyon Trailhead and Loop Trail
Featured birds: American Goldfinch, Red-eyed Vireo, Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed HawkThis trail is the newest edition to Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area and traverses a variety of habits including oak-hickory forest, open grassland, various rock formations, and a beautiful overlook into the gorge of the natural area.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Twin Arches Trail Parking Area
Featured birds: Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Swainson’s WarblerTwin Arches is a State Natural Area because its two arches are considered one of the largest natural bridge complexes in the world and the area is rich in Neotropical migrant birds. Over 159 species of birds identified.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Leatherwood Ford Angel Falls Rapid Trail: Parking Area
Featured birds: Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Swainson’s WarblerThis trail parallels the river on the parking lot side and is an easy, level walk on an old roadbed offering continuous views of the river, high cliffs, spring wildflowers and Neotropical migrant birds. Over 160 species of birds have been identified.
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Colditz Cove State Natural Area: Parking Area:
Featured birds: Warblers, Vireos, Thrushes, Pileated Woodpecker, Hairy WoodpeckerThe hiking trail meanders through upland mixed oak-hickory forest and old-growth eastern hemlock-white pine forest in the gorge facilitating encounters with conifer-loving species and migratory songbirds. Over 30 species of birds have been identified.
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Responsible Birding
- Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
- Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
- Silence is golden.
- Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
- Take extra care when in a nesting area.
- Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
- Do not trespass on private property.
- Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
- Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.
Discover More at Pickett CCC Memorial
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
