Overview
The Piedmont is a term used to refer to the central portion of the State of North Carolina situated in the middle of the state, roughly halfway between the coastal portion, or Eastern North Carolina and the mountainous portion, or Western North Carolina. Geographically, it ranges from a more coastal like landscape in, and along its eastern side to a more hilly/mountainous landscape on its western side.
It encompasses parts of the Yadkin/Pee Dee River basin as well as the Catawba River basin. A number of associated tributaries feed into these.
For the person who loves nature in general, and birding in particular, Piedmont North Carolina affords a wide variety of places to easily pursue their passion and add to their “life list.”
Birds
Notable Species
There are so many species present in North Carolina as to make it all but impossible to pin down just a few notable ones. Each in their own right make them special but the state bird, the Northern Cardinal, is frequently seen as there are more than 400 species reported as having been seen.
Rarities
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Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
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Other Wildlife
Within the Piedmont section of North Carolina you are prone to see increasing numbers of deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits and a number of game birds.
Site Information
History and Use
The Piedmont of North Carolina was part of the early settlement of the state with what has been called “The Great Wagon Road.” This was a “path/trail/road” settlers followed from areas in the Philadelphia, PA area, down through Maryland and Virginia into North Carolina to settle what was then “the frontier.” This “Road” continued on into South Carolina as well.
Areas of Interest
Yadkin-Pee Dee River & Catawba River Basins
Should fishing and/or recreational boating, be your passion, the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin affords plenty of opportunity with many reservoirs to include W Kerr Scott Reservoir, High Rock Lake, Tuckertown Reservoir, Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, and Falls Reservoir. As well, the Catawba River Basin, which cuts through Piedmont North Carolina, has along it’s length Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake & Lake Wylie.
Public Game Lands
There are a goodly number of public game lands situated throughout the area as well as Public Boating Access points, with varying levels of amenities, along both the Yadkin-Pee Dee and Catawba River basins. The natural resources found in, and around, these places have the potential to lend themselves quite well to birding pursuits. The regulation and use of these game lands, access points, and waterways are under the auspices of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Information regarding these areas, and their use, can be found on their website[1].
National Parks, Forests, Refuges, and Preserves
You can also make use of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge[2], near Wadesboro, NC and the Uwharrie National Forest[3], near Troy, NC for birding as well as other recreational pursuits.
North Carolina State Parks, Forests, Trails
For those who would like to combine their birding efforts with some additional enjoyment of nature, the region has available the Yadkin River State Trail [4], a part of the North Carolina State Parks – NC Trails. This canoe/kayak trail covers approximately 130 miles of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River through 9 counties with multiple access points along it's length. The upper portion is a quieter area more reminiscent of the river as it existed before the dams were put into play. Information regarding the trail is also available from the Yadkin River Keeper [5].
Access and Facilities
North Carolina's Piedmont region is crisscrossed by portions of interstate highways I-85, I-40, and I-77. In addition, it is served, commercially and privately, by Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, Piedmont-Triad International Airport (PTI) in Greensboro, Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Morrisville, Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (JQF) in Concord as well as a number of general/private aviation facilities scattered throughout the state.
Contact Details
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External Links
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
- Uwharrie National Forest
- Yadkin River State Trail
- Yadkin River Keeper
