Poplar Point State Recreation Area

By Will Cook

Overview: Excellent view of the heart of Jordan Lake, though not as commanding as Ebenezer Point. It's also great for landbirding. This area is not as frequently birded as Ebenezer, but it has the potential for many of the same rarities.

Getting there: Poplar Point is 0.6 mile south of Hwy. 64 on Beaver Creek Road (SR1008) on the east side of Jordan Lake. It's on the way to Ebenezer. There's a well-marked entrance on the right.

Coordinates for Google Earth/Maps: 35 43 20.3 N, 79 01 10 W

Where to go: Drive all the way to the end of the main road and park. The sandy beach has the best vantage point for scoping.

What to look for: Diving ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls are common during the winter. The wooded areas are good for piney woods birds, such as Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers, as well as migrants.

Facilities: Bathrooms, picknicking, camping, boat ramps, water, drink machine, swimming beach, handicapped accessible. Gate hours: November-February 8am-6pm; March, October 8am-7pm; April, May, September 8am-8pm; June-August 8am-9pm. Entrance fee is $4 per car, $3 for senior citizens 62 years of age or older. The fee is collected every day from May through Labor Day, only on weedends in April and September (after Labor Day). No fee from October through March. There is no pass you can buy, but you can get a booklet of 10 tickets for $30. If you pay a fee on a certain day here, you can also visit other S.R.A.'s at Jordan Lake without paying more. See http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/jord/section.html for more details on facilities. Call Park office at (919) 362-0586 for more details on the fees.

When to visit: Fall through Spring.

Revised 12/29/2008 cwcook@duke.edu


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