Seaforth State Recreation Area

By Will Cook

Overview: Seaforth has a good view of the center of Jordan Lake, but 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: The well-marked entrance is on the south side of US 64 between two arms of the lake.

Coordinates for Google Earth/Maps: 35 43 30.7 N, 79 02 04.5 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. You can continue south through the woods, following an old road and cutting through the woods to get to the point. There is a nice 1.4 mile loop nature trail that can be good for passerines.

What to look for: Diving ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls are common during the winter. The sheltered western arm once harbored a large flock of Common Goldeneye. Red-necked Grebe has been seen from the southern tip, and Snow Bunting along the shoreline. The wooded areas are good for piney woods birds, such as Brown-headed Nuthatches and Pine Warblers, as well as migrants.

Facilities: Bathrooms, picknicking, boat ramps, water, drink machine, playground, swimming beach, handicapped accessible. No camping. 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 12/28/2008 cwcook@duke.edu