Bristol Virginia's Sugar Hollow Park: Crown Jewel of Regional Wetlands Surrounded by 400 acres of immaculate parklands, at the doorsteps of the towering and massive offices of coal company giant Alpha Natural Resources. Just across the street from Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, T.J. Maxx, Ross, Books-A-Million, Old Navy and PetSmart, is a beautiful and especially accessible wetland natural area. More than a thousand feet of wide, strong, boardwalks fork in many directions into swamps, ponds, a winding stream and across meadows back to lush water plants of many varieties. A birding companion once admonished me to listen up and look down as I birded trails carpeted with wildflowers. This photo of the bright Duckweed, or water lentil, merits looking down for. Here they are an abundant aquatic plant which floats on or just beneath the surface of the still and slow-moving waters of the wetlands. Easter Sunday was a bit busy for total enjoyment due to the large numbers of park visitors walking along the boardwalks and winding trails. The parking areas were full. You can't well bird the wetlands in much less than an hour. It will take 15 minutes to walk the boardwalk at an enjoyable pace. Scanning tall water plants, searching among trees of the swamp portion and watching for Eastern Screech Owls sunning in an opening of one of the many well-placed Wood Duck boxes takes a bit of focus. The same is said for Soras which sneak quietly at the water's edge, running in an out of the abundant shoreline plants. Soon this good habitat will attract a Blue-winged Warblers into the area. It's a species not often detected just anywhere in the lower reaches of the ridge and valley region. Ron Harrington and I compiled bird species from this area about 10 years ago when we were conducting "Birds in Forested Landscape" inventories throughout the mountain and valley region of the area from Hidden Valley Lake on Clinch Mountain to Mount Rogers, the Weir Dam to Shady Valley and elsewhere. It was an extensive survey we did for the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. The Bristol Christmas Bird Count has this special wetlands area within our count circle but, due to the way the many party count sectors or laid out, we don't actually get coverage into the wetlands. We probably need to work on that. Waldo Miles Retreat, located in the park, was the headquarters and meeting place for the May 2007 TOS State Spring Meeting sponsored by the Bristol Bird Club. Our visitors absolutely loved meandering the wetlands and getting lost along the stream and among its beautiful ponds. Of course, it has also been expanded and more boardwalk and parking added. One unique feature of the wetlands is the ponds which are spread along the banks of a clear and clean flowing Beaver Creek. The ponds are teaming with aquatic animals and they are easy to observe up close. It is impressive how accustom the amphibians and ducks are to visitors. One calming and relaxing aspect of visiting this site is how so many species seem almost oblivious to park visitors who pass right over them along boardwalks and you can stop to take photos. The Sugar Hollow Park wetlands is much wilder and remote than this post makes it sound. That is not the experience you encounter when visiting the area. It's a great place for both the beginner and seasoned birder. Even a Mallard sits on a railing while visitors pass within feet. Sugar Hollow Park Wetlands is a very special place and well worth escaping to and especially on weekdays when few people are there. You can learn and watch birds until overcome with peace, quiet and beauty. Let's go birding . . . Wallace Coffey Bristol, TN