You won’t believe how many birds you can see at this state park
With 160 species to see, Moncove Lake has bird lovers chirping.
Tucked away in the hills of Gap Mills, West Virginia, Moncove Lake State Park is a peaceful outdoor retreat for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. This 250-acre park also contains a larger, 500-acre wildlife management area. The state park and surrounding protected land is home to over 160 species of birds. Because of this, bird watchers flock to the park every year to catch glimpses of rare and beautiful birds. Additionally, visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, boating and much more!
Bird Watching
Moncove Lake and the surrounding area is teeming with avian life thanks to nearby Peter’s Mountain and the ridge-and-valley section of the Appalachian Mountains. The ridges of the mountains act as funnels for birds migrating in the fall and give bird watchers unique opportunities to spot birds that are normally considered rare or unusual for the region.
Witness the annual migration of birds of prey as they travel the eastern flyway passing through Monroe County. On Peter’s Mountain during peak days in September, broad-winged hawks are counted by the hundreds. Additionally, migrating hawks of nearly every eastern species and numerous songbirds can be seen throughout the month of September and into October. Migration typically begins in early September and lasts through October, so if you are looking to witness this spectacular event, start planning your trip today!
Activities to sing about
While you’re looking to glimpse rare and exciting birds, there are plenty of fun adventures and activities to enjoy at Moncove Lake. Take your bird watching binoculars out onto the water. Rowboats, kayaks and paddle boats can be rented at the lake and personal flotation devices are provided with rentals. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own boats and utilize the boat ramp and the dry dock near the boat launch.
In addition, there are five short hiking trails in the park. These easy trails are perfect for families. While hiking, be sure to keep an eye out for whitetail deer, turkeys, fox, chipmunks, beavers and, of course, birds galore! After a long hike during the summer months, take a refreshing dip in the pool. The wading/baby pool is great place for families with little ones who want to splash around.
Moncove Lake also offers a peaceful setting for picnics. The three picnic shelters take reservations which can be made by clicking here. Click the picnic shelter tab, select Moncove Lake, enter your dates and reserve your shelter.
Nearby Attractions
You can get lost in the the forests and mountains and there’s plenty of things to do nearby. So, make Moncove Lake a multi-day affair by planning a camping trip. The campground is open spring through fall. Historic Lewisburg is only a short drive away. This hip, fun and historic town is packed with amazing restaurants, art galleries and antique shops. Also a short drive away, Greenbrier State Forest provides over 5,100 acres of heavily forested, mountainous terrain, perfect for outdoor recreation and, you guessed it, bird watching!
So, whether you are a bird enthusiast or just looking for some outdoor fun, fly over to Moncove Lake State Park!
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