Machicomoco State Park has introduced a new hiking trail, the Songbird Trail, expanding its offerings to birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Officially opened in late August, the 0.3-mile trail is designed for easy navigation and provides visitors with peaceful birding opportunities and wildlife observation.
The Songbird Trail adds to the park’s 6.5 miles of trails, including a 3.1-mile paved foot and bicycle trail that loops around the park’s main road. Other trails feature gravel, oyster shells, and grass footpaths, allowing visitors to explore areas like the interpretive site and kayak launch. The natural trails, totaling 2.4 miles, wind through various park sections, including the campground and trailhead parking lot.
As of August, Machicomoco State Park has recorded 194 bird species, a point of pride for Chief Ranger Josh Mazzatenta. “The trail intersects with our existing trail system, so it will allow visitors to take different routes when exploring the park. It also will give our interpretive department more opportunities for sharing the birding experience with our visitors through programming,” Mazzatenta explained.
According to a press release, the trail weaves through grasslands, and benches along the route provide ideal spots for wildlife observation. In collaboration with the Virginia Bluebird Society, the Middle Peninsula Master Naturalist Chapter installed bluebird boxes along the trail, offering safe nesting areas for birds. A grant from the society supported this project, which funded the installation of six bluebird boxes throughout the park.
During the 2024 nesting season, Master Naturalist volunteers collected data on bluebird activity, including the number of eggs laid and hatchlings observed. “Once all the baby birds have left the nest, the volunteers would go in and clean the boxes, allowing for the bluebirds to return to a clean space to lay more eggs,” Mazzatenta said.
Located in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, Machicomoco State Park has become a destination for nature lovers. It offers a variety of outdoor activities that appeal to a wide range of visitors, from hikers to birdwatchers.