By: Sally Siko- Admin Birdwatching N.C.

Due to the arrival of the virus which shall go unnamed, “stay at home orders” are in place and we all have to learn how to “socially distance” ourselves from everyone else. It sucks but it is all we can do at this time to try and stem the tide of this viral scourge.

Unfortunately, like the crowded flock Tundra Swans featured in the photograph above, there are still people out there who don’t understand what it means to stay six feet away from others while on a trail. Due to the reckless actions of a few, to keep us all “safe” a number of the parks here in the Tarheel state are now closed. Yikes!

This means that quite a few of us are now stuck at home, confined to bird watching in our own backyards (if we are lucky enough to have one ). With spring migration getting underway soon, this is a less than ideal situation for birders all across North Carolina. We want to go out and find those birds but we can’t because there is nowhere to go.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Even in the age of park shutdowns, there are a few places where we can go out to get some needed (and perfectly legal) exercise ( all the while practicing “safe social distancing” while holding binoculars, a scope, or a camera) . These parks are not restricted by access gates and do not employ park staff on site. So, the idea is that these parks should remain “open” & “accessible” as good spots to go bird watching when everything else is closed due to the outbreak.

Here’s a list of un-gated parks and map information.

Carrol Howard Johnson Environmental Park
Fuquay-Varina, NC https://g.co/kgs/ufRfF3

Lake Betz Nature Trail Morrisville, NC https://g.co/kgs/K3hza9

Brumley Nature Preserve North
Chapel Hill, NC
https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/brumley-forest-nature-preserve

Pee Dee NWR
Wadesboro, NC https://www.fws.gov/refuge/pee_dee/

Audubon Observation Deck
Apex, NC
https://www.newhopeaudubon.org/get-outdoors/local-birding-sites/wildlife-observation-platform/

I will admit, this list is small. I’m hoping that the birders who read this post would be so kind as to suggest any other parks who’s entrances aren’t blocked by gates in North Carolina in the comment section at the top of this post.

Happy Birding – Sally

PS. Wash your hands.

PPS. Stay away from one another along the trails.

PPPS. Thanks so much for supporting this site!

PPPPS. Thank you in advance for your location tips.

That Tundra Swans, Barred Owl, Bald Eagle, Summer Tanager, and Red-headed Woodpecker photos featured in this post were all captured with my mighty Canon 5DS paired with my 70-200 Canon EF lens. If you are interested in getting shots like these with this 50 MP beast of a camera, please check out the link below to Canon USA.

Birdwatching NC is sponsored by Canon USA and I am proud to be a Canon shooter. After 13 years of trusting my professional photography business to Canon’s line of products, I cannot recommend this company strongly enough. If you have have any questions about my gear, shoot me a message!

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