Rt 751 Wildlife Observation Deck
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[edit] Description
This area off of route 751 on Jordan Lake features a (very birdy) forested habitat, a pleasant loop trail, and an observation deck on the shore of the lake. A Bald Eagle nest is visible (in the distance, with extremely high-powered optics) from the observation deck. The deck was recently damaged during a storm and may not be accessible currently. Also note that the forest was recently logged in a forest-thinning operation; normal forest characeristics and wildlife viewing opportunities are expected to take some modest time to return to normal, though wildlife viewing is expected to improve as a result of the thinning operation.
Birding on the loop trail is excellent during spring. Ovenbirds and other warblers are easily visible under favorable conditions. Yellow-breasted chats breed in the modest-sized meadow adjacent to the parking lot.
[edit] Getting There
Traveling north on NC 751 from route 64, look for a sign showing a pair of binoculars, immediately after a gas station; turn left (very carefully) onto the uneven and poorly maintained gravel drive.
[edit] Caveats
- Cars have been broken into in the parking lot
- Hunting is allowed in the park during certain times of the year
- The eagle nest, while visible with extremely powerful telescopes (200x-300x magnification recommended), is very difficult to see with low-powered binoculars
