Finding Birds in Guilford County: Hester Park

Hester Park is an 86 acre Greensboro City Park that has a small lake and several short trails. Its main claim to fame as a birding spot in Guilford County is that it attracts Canvasback Ducks nearly every winter, as well as a few other diving species. It also can provide good birding during spring migration.
          The park has two entrances, one on Groometown Road and the other on W. Vandalia Road. Although birding areas are equally accessible from both entrances, the former provides access first to the volleyball courts, soccer/football fields and tennis courts, while the latter leads directly to the lake and picnic areas. The park is easily approached from I-85 and from I-40. On I-85 take the Groometown exit west 1.4 miles to the park entrance, which is marked with a large sign, on to Ailanthus St., the entrance road. From I-40, take the High Point Road exit and go south 0.6 mile to Holden Road. Turn left (east) and continue 1.3 miles to W. Vandalia Road. Turn right (south), go 0.8 mile to the entrance on Tonkins Street, and turn right into the park. This entrance also is marked with a large sign.
          The lake has a large population of domestic, hybrid, and feral geese and ducks. Mixed in with the white barnyard geese and ducks usually can be found dozens and sometimes more than a hundred Canada Geese and nearly as many Mallards. Some interesting wild ducks often are seen in winter on the lake, however, including the canvasbacks mentioned above as well as Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, and Hooded Mergansers. Occasionally American Black Ducks, Northern Shovelers, and other species show up, as well. There are five small piers around the lake that provide different views.
          There is a 1.3 mile trail in the park plus access along parking lots and in the picnic areas beside the lake that lead through second growth woodland to provide a nice variety of land birds. The short section of the trail behind the playground and adjacent picnic area near the softball field can be particularly good for migrants in the spring. A good selection of warbler species and other neotropical migrants such as Scarlet Tanager and Baltimore Oriole are possible.
          The park office is located at 3615 Deutzia Street, and can be reached by telephone at 336-373-2927.