Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail:
Mountain Heritage Loop

Diverse environmental factors in the Commonwealth of Virginia support every bird and animal habitat that occurs naturally between Maine and Florida. In the first statewide program of its kind, The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail presents areas singled out for their birds and wildlife. Tazewell County is proud to be home to six of the eight designated points on the Mountain Heritage Loop, which begins with points 1 and 2 to the east in Bland County. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera!
For more information, consult the website of The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Sandy Head Ostrich Farm, the first site on the Mountain Heritage Loop in Tazewell County, is accessible from Route 61. Along with native species, the farm is home to ratites (flightless birds) such as ostriches and emus, and rare breed chickens such as Turkens and Aracaunas. Page 5.	Burke’s Garden may be accessed by Rt. 623. This beautiful geological formation is the only community in the state designated as a National Historic Rural District. The Appalachian Trail anchors one edge of the Garden. Page 6.	Lincolnshire Park is off highway 19/460 in North Tazewell. The park has a swimming pool, tennis courts, picnic areas, fishing lake, Kidzown playground and other amenities. It’s a nice place to have a picnic lunch and watch for deer. Page 5.
Cavitt’s Creek & Lake Witten support nature enthusiasts with great camping (RV or tent) and a beautiful environment for white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife and birds. Page 5.	Historic Crab Orchard Museum gives a great overview of the history of the people who settled the area. At various times throughout the year, the Museum offers living histories and is open to the public. Page 10.	Thistle Cove Farm is located in the Cove section of the County. You may see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, black bear, coyotes, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Baltimore orioles, goldfinches, red-wing blackbirds and other wildlife. Page 14.

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