Finding Birds in Guilford County © 2018 Dennis Burnette
III. Birder’s Tour of the Greensboro Lakes
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Click here to jump to driving directions for the tour.
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This is a brief guide to some of the best places to look for birds around the three major reservoirs in the City of Greensboro’s water storage system. Also included are a few private lakes and ponds with limited access and no facilities. The intent of this section is to provide site-to-site driving directions for a tour of these sites. Elsewhere in this guide you will find site descriptions that provide specific information about birding each of these lakes and ponds individually. Keep in mind that road conditions are changing constantly as new roads are built and old ones changed, so routes almost certainly will change over time.
Particularly on a good day during late summer, fall, winter, and early spring, a birder can see most of the waterfowl that occur in Guilford County, as well as many of the land birds around the edges of the lakes. An alert observer has a good chance of seeing a rarity if several of these sites are visited frequently and the conditions are right. The species and number of water birds are affected by the level of water in the lakes, which is influenced both by rainfall amounts and by artificial regulation. In winter, the number of duck species is influenced by freezing conditions farther north that drive ducks south. Even on poor birding days, however, there are always a few species around.
All of these artificial lakes are on the northern edge of Greensboro and are laid out roughly in a west-to-east pattern along Horsepen Creek and other connected waterways. They are accessible by public roadways at several points that easily can be identified on any good current road map. Therefore, detailed directions are not given here on the assumption that a person unfamiliar with the area will want to use a map anyway to get to and from this good birding area. GPS coordinates also have been provided where possible.
Safety should be a constant concern at many of the spots noted in this tour. While the marinas have good parking facilities, all of the other sites are along heavily traveled roadways. Birders must park their vehicles well off the road. Make sure that the vehicle tires do not touch the road pavement as that seems to be a trigger for law enforcement personnel to stop and possibly give a ticket. Exercise caution when opening car doors. Further, all members of the birding party should help each other be aware of the traffic even when standing along the roadside; it is easy to forget that cars are whizzing by when you're trying to get a good vantage point to see a life bird.
Birding along the edges of the lakes will be enhanced by using binoculars, although many species will be identifiable without any equipment at all. To see ducks and geese, binoculars often are a necessity, and a birder who looks for waterfowl often will soon long for a spotting scope. A spotting scope is almost essential for sorting through large flocks of gulls in search of a rarity. Many birders like to bring along a small notebook to keep a record of what they see. Although cameras may be useful occasionally, the waterfowl at most sites tend to be a long way from shore.
It goes without saying that clothing should be appropriate for the weather, but what might not be so apparent is that the temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions at home probably will be different from the weather around the lakes. Especially during the colder months, the microclimate at lakeside can be cold, windy and damp. (Don’t let bad weather be a deterrent to looking for waterfowl. Remember the old saying about rainy conditions being "good weather for ducks.") Good weather for people (called “bluebird days” by some duck hunters) usually isn’t necessary or even desirable for waterfowl. It always is a good idea in late fall, winter, and early spring to dress in layers, bring a water-resistant outer garment, and wear water-resistant shoes or boots.
All three of the water-storage reservoirs are administered by the City of Greensboro, the marinas and adjacent trails being under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department. Information about activities involving the Greensboro lakes may be found at this website: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/the-lakes. For information about hours, programs, and services, call the individual marinas at the phone numbers listed with each lake entry. For Greensboro Watershed Trails information, call 336-371-3816. The Hiking Trails website is https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/trails-greenways/hiking-trails.
Each of the Greensboro city lakes is closed on at least one weekday so it’s a good idea to check the schedule if you plan to visit the marina. Currently the lakes are open on Sundays. All the city lakes maintain normal operating hours on holidays except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
We will begin the tour of the Greensboro lakes with the western-most reservoir, Lake Higgins, then go east to Lake Brandt, and continue east to finish the tour at Lake Townsend. (See the site entries in this guide for birding information about each lake.)
Particularly on a good day during late summer, fall, winter, and early spring, a birder can see most of the waterfowl that occur in Guilford County, as well as many of the land birds around the edges of the lakes. An alert observer has a good chance of seeing a rarity if several of these sites are visited frequently and the conditions are right. The species and number of water birds are affected by the level of water in the lakes, which is influenced both by rainfall amounts and by artificial regulation. In winter, the number of duck species is influenced by freezing conditions farther north that drive ducks south. Even on poor birding days, however, there are always a few species around.
All of these artificial lakes are on the northern edge of Greensboro and are laid out roughly in a west-to-east pattern along Horsepen Creek and other connected waterways. They are accessible by public roadways at several points that easily can be identified on any good current road map. Therefore, detailed directions are not given here on the assumption that a person unfamiliar with the area will want to use a map anyway to get to and from this good birding area. GPS coordinates also have been provided where possible.
Safety should be a constant concern at many of the spots noted in this tour. While the marinas have good parking facilities, all of the other sites are along heavily traveled roadways. Birders must park their vehicles well off the road. Make sure that the vehicle tires do not touch the road pavement as that seems to be a trigger for law enforcement personnel to stop and possibly give a ticket. Exercise caution when opening car doors. Further, all members of the birding party should help each other be aware of the traffic even when standing along the roadside; it is easy to forget that cars are whizzing by when you're trying to get a good vantage point to see a life bird.
Birding along the edges of the lakes will be enhanced by using binoculars, although many species will be identifiable without any equipment at all. To see ducks and geese, binoculars often are a necessity, and a birder who looks for waterfowl often will soon long for a spotting scope. A spotting scope is almost essential for sorting through large flocks of gulls in search of a rarity. Many birders like to bring along a small notebook to keep a record of what they see. Although cameras may be useful occasionally, the waterfowl at most sites tend to be a long way from shore.
It goes without saying that clothing should be appropriate for the weather, but what might not be so apparent is that the temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions at home probably will be different from the weather around the lakes. Especially during the colder months, the microclimate at lakeside can be cold, windy and damp. (Don’t let bad weather be a deterrent to looking for waterfowl. Remember the old saying about rainy conditions being "good weather for ducks.") Good weather for people (called “bluebird days” by some duck hunters) usually isn’t necessary or even desirable for waterfowl. It always is a good idea in late fall, winter, and early spring to dress in layers, bring a water-resistant outer garment, and wear water-resistant shoes or boots.
All three of the water-storage reservoirs are administered by the City of Greensboro, the marinas and adjacent trails being under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department. Information about activities involving the Greensboro lakes may be found at this website: https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/the-lakes. For information about hours, programs, and services, call the individual marinas at the phone numbers listed with each lake entry. For Greensboro Watershed Trails information, call 336-371-3816. The Hiking Trails website is https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/parks-recreation/trails-greenways/hiking-trails.
Each of the Greensboro city lakes is closed on at least one weekday so it’s a good idea to check the schedule if you plan to visit the marina. Currently the lakes are open on Sundays. All the city lakes maintain normal operating hours on holidays except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
We will begin the tour of the Greensboro lakes with the western-most reservoir, Lake Higgins, then go east to Lake Brandt, and continue east to finish the tour at Lake Townsend. (See the site entries in this guide for birding information about each lake.)
Driving Directions for the Birder's Tour of Greensboro Lakes
1. Directions to Lake Higgins
(See Birding Lake Higgins for area description and birding information.)
Marina location: 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd., Summerfield, NC 27358, 336-373-3739
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.254’, W 079° 53.176’
Lake Higgins, the western-most of the three large lakes, is on the northern edge of Greensboro just off US 220, called Battleground Avenue in the city. Although there are a few informal lake overlooks, the marina offers the most accessible birding on the lake. To reach it from I-40/I-85, it is necessary to get on Wendover Avenue first. If coming from the south or east, first head north on US 29 and then take the Wendover Avenue exit west toward the city center, or if coming from the west on I-40, take the Wendover Avenue exit and head east toward the city center.
Once on Wendover Avenue, take the Battleground Avenue North/Westover Terrace exit and drive north away from Greensboro’s central business district. At about 6.8 miles north of Wendover Avenue, watch on the left (west) side of the road for the Lake Higgins dam and on the right side for the open water of nearby Lake Brandt. Continue north about 0.3 mile to the first intersection, Hamburg Mill Road, and turn left (west). Go about 0.4 mile to the entrance gate of the marina, which is on the left.
2. Lake Higgins to Lake Brandt
(See Birding Lake Brandt for area description and birding information.)
Marina location: 5945 Lake Brandt Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455, 336-373-3741
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.050’, W 79° 50.317’
East of Lake Higgins is Lake Brandt, which is approximately 2.5 miles north of the city. The primary birding sites are the marina on the east side of the lake and the Strawberry Road access to the western end near Lake Higgins.
Return to US 220/Battleground Avenue from Lake Higgins on Hamburg Mill Road. Formerly one could turn left and go to Strawberry Road. However, the intersection has been changed so that only a right turn is allowed. Turn right onto US 220/Battleground Ave. and go a short distance to Leadership Place where there is a turn-around. Make a legal U-turn and go north about a half mile to Strawberry Road. Turn right (east) at the traffic light, go 0.3 mile, and park on the right in the well-marked gravel parking lot. The sign will indicate that this is an access to the A&Y Greenway. After birding here, turn right out of the parking area and head northwest on Strawberry Road about 2 miles to NC 150. Turn right and go about 1 mile to Lake Brandt Road. Turn right and head south 2.2 miles. The marina entrance is on the right (west) side just past the dam.
3. Lake Brandt to Trosper Pond
(See Birding Trosper Pond for area description and birding information.)
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.033’, W 79° 49.433’
Before leaving Lake Brandt, often it is worth checking nearby Trosper Pond, especially in late fall and winter. Turn right (south) from the marina entrance and go 0.4 mile to Trosper Road, then turn left (east). Continue 0.7 mile to the point where the road circles the pond. To continue the tour of the Greensboro lakes after checking Trosper Pond, return to Lake Brandt Road and turn right (north) back toward the marina entrance and continue to Plainfield Road.
4. Trosper Pond to Plainfield Road
(See Birding Plainfield Road for area description and birding information.)
Location: There are few house numbers visible but the Richardson-Taylor Preserve is located at what would be 300 Plainfield Road, Greensboro, NC 27455.
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.770’, W 079° 48.343’
Drive north of the marina and dam on Lake Brandt Road 1.5 miles and turn right (east) on Plainfield Road. Pull off the road almost immediately to look for birds in the adjacent large pasture. Continue east on Plainfield Road and watch on the left (north) for the Richardson-Taylor Preserve parking lot. To reach Plainfield Marsh, continue another half mile or so to the point where water can be seen through the trees; a few hundred feet further east, the woods open out onto Plainfield Marsh causeway. To reach Lake Townsend, continue east to Church Street.
5. Plainfield Road to Lake Townsend
(See Birding Lake Townsend for area description and birding information.)
GPS coordinates (Lake Townsend Marina: N 36° 11.175’, W 079° 43.858’; see Birding Lake Townsend for overlook coordinates
When coming from Lake Brandt via Plainfield Road, birders have a choice. At the T-intersection one may turn left (north) and take Church Street 0.4 mile to the next intersection, Archergate Road. Turn right, drive 0.9 mile to Yanceyville Street, and turn right to get to the Yanceyville causeway or left to the Yanceyville Marsh and the Doggett Road overlooks (see below). Alternately, one may turn right and stay on Church Street to check the overlooks or end the tour and return toward downtown Greensboro.
Lake Townsend: Church Street Overlooks
If one turns right (south) from the "T" intersection at Plainfield Road on Church Street toward downtown, the road will cross the western edge of Lake Townsend at two overlook points. Just 0.2 mile south of the intersection of Church Street and Plainfield Road is a trailhead for two of the Greensboro watershed trails. There is a roadside parking area on the east side of Church Street at the intersection. Follow the informational signage to park here and walk a few hundred feet south to look over the lake on both sides of the road.
From the Plainfield Road intersection, continue south on Church Street about a mile to the South Church Street overlook where there are wide shoulders and a gravel parking area. There is water on both sides of the road that can be scoped for waterfowl.
There is no direct way to get to the main body of Lake Townsend if the birder is coming from Church Street, but the round-about trip usually is worth the drive. Continue south on Church Street (toward town) 2.0 miles to Lee’s Chapel Road and turn left (east). Proceed 0.9 mile to Yanceyville Street and turn left again (north). Drive north about 2 miles to the first overlook where water can be seen on both sides. This is known to local birders as the “Yanceyville Street causeway.” Many of the county’s unusual sightings come from the causeway. Be sure to pull well off the road because of the constant traffic.
Lake Townsend: Yanceyville and Doggett Overlooks
After viewing the lake from the Yanceyville Street causeway, continue north on Yanceyville about 1.4 miles from the center of the causeway, following the curve around to the northeast to the Yanceyville Road Marsh. Yanceyville Road curves back north again at the intersection with Doggett Road, which continues straight ahead. Stay on Yanceyville 0.5 mile to a marsh. The shoulder is verynarrow here, so continue to the end of the railing to park and then walk back to a vantage point to view the marsh.
From here, one must turn around and go back to the Doggett Road intersection to continue the tour. Be aware that this section of road forms a blind curve and traffic can be heavy, so continue north a few hundred yards until a suitably safe turn-around spot is found.
At the point where Yanceyville turns north, the road continues straight and becomes Doggett Road. To continue the tour of the Lake Townsend birding overlooks, go northeast 0.7 mile on Doggett Road to the Doggett Road West Overlook. The safest places to park are at either end of the short causeway. The Doggett Road East Overlook is 0.6 mile further east. Again, the safest places to park are at either end of the causeway.
Lake Townsend Marina
Lake Townsend Marina is located at 6332 Lake Townsend Road adjacent to Bryan Park. To reach it, follow Doggett Road 2.3 miles northeast to the intersection with NC 150. Turn right and go 0.3 mile. You will enter the community of Browns Summit. At the railroad track, turn right on Brown Summit Road and head south. In a short time, the road name changes to Summit Avenue. At 2.9 miles you will pass through the interchange for US 29 but keep going straight. Continue another 0.6 mile and watch on the right for a sign directing visitors to Bryan Park (a total of about 3.5 miles from the Browns Summit intersection). Turn right on Bryan Park Road, drive 0.6 mile into the park, and turn right toward the marina, which is 0.6 mile farther at the end of the road.
6. Return to Greensboro
To return to Greensboro, retrace the marina entry route to Summit Avenue, then turn left (north) on Summit and go 0.7 mile back up to the US 29 interchange. From here, go south to Wendover Avenue and I-85/I-40 (about 8 miles). However, if you plan to visit Buffalo Lake (see #7 below), exit US 29 onto Cone Blvd.
7. Buffalo Lake
(See Birding Buffalo Lake for area description and birding information.)
Buffalo Lake Dam Location: Near 699 E. Cone Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27405
GPS coordinates: N 36° 06.722’, W 079° 47.015’
Sometimes local birders include the privately owned Buffalo Lake in their tour of the Greensboro lakes, either as a starting point or an ending site. It may be more convenient at the end of a pleasant morning of birding the Greensboro lakes. Take Cone Boulevard west, passing Yanceyville Street. Just past the intersection with Church Street, watch on the north (right) side for St. Jude Street. The best and safest access point is the dam end of the lake at 699 E. Cone Boulevard. Turn north off of Cone onto St. Jude Street and park along the curb. The earthen dam is the slight rise on the west side of the street. A bit farther is the spillway, which can be good for species that like shallow water.
Finding Birds in Guilford County © 2018 Dennis Burnette
1. Directions to Lake Higgins
(See Birding Lake Higgins for area description and birding information.)
Marina location: 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd., Summerfield, NC 27358, 336-373-3739
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.254’, W 079° 53.176’
Lake Higgins, the western-most of the three large lakes, is on the northern edge of Greensboro just off US 220, called Battleground Avenue in the city. Although there are a few informal lake overlooks, the marina offers the most accessible birding on the lake. To reach it from I-40/I-85, it is necessary to get on Wendover Avenue first. If coming from the south or east, first head north on US 29 and then take the Wendover Avenue exit west toward the city center, or if coming from the west on I-40, take the Wendover Avenue exit and head east toward the city center.
Once on Wendover Avenue, take the Battleground Avenue North/Westover Terrace exit and drive north away from Greensboro’s central business district. At about 6.8 miles north of Wendover Avenue, watch on the left (west) side of the road for the Lake Higgins dam and on the right side for the open water of nearby Lake Brandt. Continue north about 0.3 mile to the first intersection, Hamburg Mill Road, and turn left (west). Go about 0.4 mile to the entrance gate of the marina, which is on the left.
2. Lake Higgins to Lake Brandt
(See Birding Lake Brandt for area description and birding information.)
Marina location: 5945 Lake Brandt Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455, 336-373-3741
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.050’, W 79° 50.317’
East of Lake Higgins is Lake Brandt, which is approximately 2.5 miles north of the city. The primary birding sites are the marina on the east side of the lake and the Strawberry Road access to the western end near Lake Higgins.
Return to US 220/Battleground Avenue from Lake Higgins on Hamburg Mill Road. Formerly one could turn left and go to Strawberry Road. However, the intersection has been changed so that only a right turn is allowed. Turn right onto US 220/Battleground Ave. and go a short distance to Leadership Place where there is a turn-around. Make a legal U-turn and go north about a half mile to Strawberry Road. Turn right (east) at the traffic light, go 0.3 mile, and park on the right in the well-marked gravel parking lot. The sign will indicate that this is an access to the A&Y Greenway. After birding here, turn right out of the parking area and head northwest on Strawberry Road about 2 miles to NC 150. Turn right and go about 1 mile to Lake Brandt Road. Turn right and head south 2.2 miles. The marina entrance is on the right (west) side just past the dam.
3. Lake Brandt to Trosper Pond
(See Birding Trosper Pond for area description and birding information.)
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.033’, W 79° 49.433’
Before leaving Lake Brandt, often it is worth checking nearby Trosper Pond, especially in late fall and winter. Turn right (south) from the marina entrance and go 0.4 mile to Trosper Road, then turn left (east). Continue 0.7 mile to the point where the road circles the pond. To continue the tour of the Greensboro lakes after checking Trosper Pond, return to Lake Brandt Road and turn right (north) back toward the marina entrance and continue to Plainfield Road.
4. Trosper Pond to Plainfield Road
(See Birding Plainfield Road for area description and birding information.)
Location: There are few house numbers visible but the Richardson-Taylor Preserve is located at what would be 300 Plainfield Road, Greensboro, NC 27455.
GPS coordinates: N 36° 10.770’, W 079° 48.343’
Drive north of the marina and dam on Lake Brandt Road 1.5 miles and turn right (east) on Plainfield Road. Pull off the road almost immediately to look for birds in the adjacent large pasture. Continue east on Plainfield Road and watch on the left (north) for the Richardson-Taylor Preserve parking lot. To reach Plainfield Marsh, continue another half mile or so to the point where water can be seen through the trees; a few hundred feet further east, the woods open out onto Plainfield Marsh causeway. To reach Lake Townsend, continue east to Church Street.
5. Plainfield Road to Lake Townsend
(See Birding Lake Townsend for area description and birding information.)
GPS coordinates (Lake Townsend Marina: N 36° 11.175’, W 079° 43.858’; see Birding Lake Townsend for overlook coordinates
When coming from Lake Brandt via Plainfield Road, birders have a choice. At the T-intersection one may turn left (north) and take Church Street 0.4 mile to the next intersection, Archergate Road. Turn right, drive 0.9 mile to Yanceyville Street, and turn right to get to the Yanceyville causeway or left to the Yanceyville Marsh and the Doggett Road overlooks (see below). Alternately, one may turn right and stay on Church Street to check the overlooks or end the tour and return toward downtown Greensboro.
Lake Townsend: Church Street Overlooks
If one turns right (south) from the "T" intersection at Plainfield Road on Church Street toward downtown, the road will cross the western edge of Lake Townsend at two overlook points. Just 0.2 mile south of the intersection of Church Street and Plainfield Road is a trailhead for two of the Greensboro watershed trails. There is a roadside parking area on the east side of Church Street at the intersection. Follow the informational signage to park here and walk a few hundred feet south to look over the lake on both sides of the road.
From the Plainfield Road intersection, continue south on Church Street about a mile to the South Church Street overlook where there are wide shoulders and a gravel parking area. There is water on both sides of the road that can be scoped for waterfowl.
There is no direct way to get to the main body of Lake Townsend if the birder is coming from Church Street, but the round-about trip usually is worth the drive. Continue south on Church Street (toward town) 2.0 miles to Lee’s Chapel Road and turn left (east). Proceed 0.9 mile to Yanceyville Street and turn left again (north). Drive north about 2 miles to the first overlook where water can be seen on both sides. This is known to local birders as the “Yanceyville Street causeway.” Many of the county’s unusual sightings come from the causeway. Be sure to pull well off the road because of the constant traffic.
Lake Townsend: Yanceyville and Doggett Overlooks
After viewing the lake from the Yanceyville Street causeway, continue north on Yanceyville about 1.4 miles from the center of the causeway, following the curve around to the northeast to the Yanceyville Road Marsh. Yanceyville Road curves back north again at the intersection with Doggett Road, which continues straight ahead. Stay on Yanceyville 0.5 mile to a marsh. The shoulder is verynarrow here, so continue to the end of the railing to park and then walk back to a vantage point to view the marsh.
From here, one must turn around and go back to the Doggett Road intersection to continue the tour. Be aware that this section of road forms a blind curve and traffic can be heavy, so continue north a few hundred yards until a suitably safe turn-around spot is found.
At the point where Yanceyville turns north, the road continues straight and becomes Doggett Road. To continue the tour of the Lake Townsend birding overlooks, go northeast 0.7 mile on Doggett Road to the Doggett Road West Overlook. The safest places to park are at either end of the short causeway. The Doggett Road East Overlook is 0.6 mile further east. Again, the safest places to park are at either end of the causeway.
Lake Townsend Marina
Lake Townsend Marina is located at 6332 Lake Townsend Road adjacent to Bryan Park. To reach it, follow Doggett Road 2.3 miles northeast to the intersection with NC 150. Turn right and go 0.3 mile. You will enter the community of Browns Summit. At the railroad track, turn right on Brown Summit Road and head south. In a short time, the road name changes to Summit Avenue. At 2.9 miles you will pass through the interchange for US 29 but keep going straight. Continue another 0.6 mile and watch on the right for a sign directing visitors to Bryan Park (a total of about 3.5 miles from the Browns Summit intersection). Turn right on Bryan Park Road, drive 0.6 mile into the park, and turn right toward the marina, which is 0.6 mile farther at the end of the road.
6. Return to Greensboro
To return to Greensboro, retrace the marina entry route to Summit Avenue, then turn left (north) on Summit and go 0.7 mile back up to the US 29 interchange. From here, go south to Wendover Avenue and I-85/I-40 (about 8 miles). However, if you plan to visit Buffalo Lake (see #7 below), exit US 29 onto Cone Blvd.
7. Buffalo Lake
(See Birding Buffalo Lake for area description and birding information.)
Buffalo Lake Dam Location: Near 699 E. Cone Blvd., Greensboro, NC 27405
GPS coordinates: N 36° 06.722’, W 079° 47.015’
Sometimes local birders include the privately owned Buffalo Lake in their tour of the Greensboro lakes, either as a starting point or an ending site. It may be more convenient at the end of a pleasant morning of birding the Greensboro lakes. Take Cone Boulevard west, passing Yanceyville Street. Just past the intersection with Church Street, watch on the north (right) side for St. Jude Street. The best and safest access point is the dam end of the lake at 699 E. Cone Boulevard. Turn north off of Cone onto St. Jude Street and park along the curb. The earthen dam is the slight rise on the west side of the street. A bit farther is the spillway, which can be good for species that like shallow water.
Finding Birds in Guilford County © 2018 Dennis Burnette