Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
and Boxerwood
 

    Boxerwood has been chosen as a site for the Western Phase of the VA Birding & Wildlife Trail.  The trail is designed to link and publicize outstanding birding and wildlife viewing sites throughout the state.  VA's Watchable Wildlife Program, under the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is developing the project in an effort to promote ecotourism in Virginia.  The Program has produced and distributed a map of the Western Phase of the Trail with descriptions of each site as well as directions. The birds, squirrels, turtles, humans and all other wildlife here are very excited to have been chosen and eagerly await the visitors the trail will attract, with the hope that the more people who realize the importance of our home here, the more protected it will be! 

Check out the current bird list at Boxerwood.

“The eclectic Boxerwood Gardens are the legacy of the late Dr. Robert S. Munger and a center point for environmental education in western Virginia. Fifteen acres of garden hosting two ponds, a variety of native plant species, 2,500+ labeled cultivars from around the planet as well as numerous sculptures provide the perfect location to wander the trails, learn about the importance of our environment or just sit and contemplate the complexities of nature. Dr. Munger’s dedication and off-kilter sense of the aesthetic has left a unique endowment for future generations.

“The garden’s current bird list contains over forty species. Common species such as mourning dove, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, blue jay, and northern cardinal are more easily seen than the skulking but vocal gray catbird, brown thrasher and eastern towhee. The many towering trees of the area are home to downy, red-bellied and pileated woodpeckers as well as yellow-bellied sapsuckers during the winter months.

“The garden’s two ponds host eastern painted turtle and the occasional snapping turtle, while their banks buzz with dragonflies such as common whitetail, common green darner and eastern pond hawk. The abundant blooming flowers attract a variety of swallowtails with the vibrant eastern tiger swallowtail being an almost constant companion.”
                                                                              (Discover Our Wild Side: Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail,
                                                                               Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries - Robert Tizard)