By ANITA J. FIREBAUGH
Contributing writer
If the screech of a hawk or the coos of a dove are the kinds of sounds that make you want to head to the mountains, then Craig County may be just the place to be.
Maybe you’d rather see a bear, watch a raccoon, or catch a glimpse of an elusive bobcat. You can do that in Craig County, too.
Craig County is part of the Mountain phase of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Its Iron Ore Loop highlights prime birding and wildlife viewing locations. The Iron Ore Loop encompasses several distinct habitats, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts of all levels.
The Iron Ore Loop takes in seven sites in the county. The designated bird watching and wildlife sites are the Craig Creek Recreation Area at Oriskany, Fenwick Mines, the Lion’s Club Park (also called New Castle Town Park) in New Castle, the Hall Road Raptor Viewing Area, the Paint Bank Trout Hatchery, the Paint Bank General Store – Depot Lodge – Hollow Hill Farm (all considered one site), and Sweet Road (Forest Service Road 350), which starts in Craig and goes into Alleghany County.
The online guide includes regional and loop maps, travel directions, and site descriptions. The entire Mountain phase spans all of Virginia west of U.S. Route 29 and includes 310 sites, some of which are state and local parks, wildlife management areas, and privately owned lands.
The birding and wildlife trail is more a car tour than a hiking tour, although some hiking trails are reachable from the birding sites. Visitors can watch birds, return to their vehicle, and go to the next spot to see a variety of wildlife. There are also places to park for picnics, walking, or biking excursions.
The state opened the trail about 20 years ago. At that time, county leaders hoped the project would be a boon for Craig County, enticing tourists to the area. According to the Virginia Wildlife Viewing Plan, about 35 percent of Virginia’s population viewed wildlife in 2016, amounting to 2.1 million wildlife viewers in the state. The 2016 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation reported that wildlife viewers in Virginia spent $1.4 billion on wildlife viewing activities that year. Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in the United States and in Virginia.
“Craig County is known for its outdoor recreation and its miles of National Forest where there are lot birds, and we welcome birders to the county,” said Diane Givens of the Craig County Tourism Commission.
“We now have a variety of unique lodging and dining that didn’t exist 20 years ago,” she added, noting that visitors could stay in a tiny house, several apartments, Air B&Bs, and other “houses and lofts people are renting out.”
Birds to be seen in Craig County include hummingbirds, herons, ospreys, raptors, eastern phoebe, American goldfinch, song sparrows, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blue jay, Northern cardinal, turkey vultures, hawks of various kinds, red-eyed vireo, worm-eating warbler, scarlet tanager, and downy woodpecker, among many others.
The Iron Ore trail in Craig County reflects the county’s heritage of iron ore mining communities. For example, one stop, the Craig Creek Recreation Area, is located east of Oriskany on Old Rail Road (Rt. 817) and not far from Lignite, now a lost iron ore mining community. At Craig Creek Recreation Area, visitors can see meadows and woodlands that follow Craig Creek. This area is known to be home to the northern bobwhite that can be heard giving their characteristic, “bob-white,” whistle at any time of the day.
Fenwick Mines offers a wheelchair accessible trail that winds through woods and across wetlands. Located off Rt. 615 (follow signs), this easy walk takes the wildlife watcher first into relatively young woodland that has grown back since the area was cleared for mining. This area rings with the sounds of woodpeckers.
After a few hundred yards the woods give way to a series of shallow ponds with a tremendous diversity of dragon- and damselflies. The trail climaxes at an overlook of the marsh. This spectacular view presents a good example of how nature can return from a strained to a growingly stable ecosystem. Additional trails that are not handicap accessible continue down Mill Creek.
New Castle Town Park, also known as Lion’s Club Park, is the perfect stop for a picnic or short walk. The brushy woodland along the rear of the park supports a variety of wildflowers, insects, birds and other wildlife.
Heading into the Paint Bank area, visitors can learn more about this mining town that once supported a railroad depot and flourishing hotel. When the mines closed, the town faded. In the 1990s, the area became home to the Hollow Hill Farm, which supports American bison. Wildlife watching starts right on the grounds of the General Store and Depot Lodge, which follow Potts Creek through the Town of Paint Bank. The creek here is perfect for a relaxing walk.
The gardens at the Depot Lodge support a variety of songbirds. After visiting the buffalo at Hollow Hill Farm, visitors may also see white-tailed deer and black bear.
The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, including the Iron Ore Loop, plays a vital role in conservation efforts aimed at protecting the state’s natural heritage. By promoting ecotourism and environmental stewardship, the trail fosters a deeper connection between people and nature, inspiring a sense of responsibility to preserve these invaluable resources for future generations.
Planning Your Visit
Before setting out on the Iron Ore Loop, visitors and locals alike should familiarize themselves with trail maps, regulations, and seasonal considerations. Dressing appropriately for the weather and bringing along binoculars and a field guide can enhance the experience, allowing for closer observation of birds and wildlife. Additionally, practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the natural beauty of the trail remains unspoiled for all to enjoy.
For those seeking an immersive nature experience, the Iron Ore Loop in Craig County offers a journey of discovery through some of the area’s most captivating landscapes. Whether marveling at the diverse birdlife or encountering elusive wildlife, the trail invites visitors to connect with the wonders of the natural world in a meaningful and unforgettable way.
To learn more about the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, visit https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/
Other websites to check out include vawesternhighlands.com, Virginia.org, and visitcraigcounty.com.
