Old Lock 8 Park has several interesting features, including the extensive early second-growth area along L Street between Akron and Lock 8. This scrub is excellent for seeing bluebirds, goldfinches, towhees, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Horned Owls, and Field Sparrows all year. Prairie warblers and Chats are quite common from spring through early fall.

At the entrance to Lock 8 at the end of L Street, there is a swamp on both sides of the road. This area may produce Swainson's Warblers, in addition to multiple Prothonotary Warblers, Orchard Orioles, Acadian Flycatchers, and Common Yellowthroats from April until October. Swamp and Song sparrows are here with Winter Wrens in the cooler months. Watch for Red-shouldered Hawks and Barred Owls all year, here and throughout the recreation area.

There is a paved parking area to the left of the park entrance. The boat ramp is to the north. The wet woods have many of the birds found in and near the swamp.

Follow the main paved road to the south, along the river. The mature trees should prove productive for spring and fall migrants. Eastern Bluebirds, Great Crested Flycatchers, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos are conspicuous in the breeding season. As the woods open up along the river, look for roosting vultures, hawks, and on occasion, Bald Eagles.

The road sweeps through an open stand of tall loblolly pines. Look for woodpeckers, Pine Warblers, and Brown-headed Nuthatches here. As the road winds back to the north toward the parking area, there are scattered picnic tables. The understory is thick here. White-eyed Vireos, Gray Catbirds, and Common Yellowthroats are common breeding birds. There are always towhees here, and the winter brings scores of sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Palm and Orange-crowned warblers.

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Listed in:

• Ecotourism