Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade

North Carolina · Southeast

Habitat
LakeRiver/Riparian
Best Seasons
SpringFallWinter
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

October-April

About This Location

Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade is a productive birding destination in North Carolina, with 230 species recorded on eBird. This lake and river/riparian habitat attracts Canada Goose, Killdeer, and Wilson's Snipe among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

3/6/2026Mason Farm Biological Reserve1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/5/2026Eno River SP--Few's Ford4 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Lake Crabtree County Park1 observed

Rufous Hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

3/2/2026111 Harkness Circle, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, US (35.965, -79.043)1 observed

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

3/1/2026Falls Lake--Ellerbe Creek RR Grade1 observed

White-winged Scoter

Melanitta deglandi

2/20/2026Lake Crabtree Nature Trail--Southport Entrance5 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

23/1/2026

Killdeer

353/1/2026

Wilson's Snipe

193/1/2026

Least Sandpiper

163/1/2026

Ring-billed Gull

6003/1/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

103/1/2026

Great Blue Heron

23/1/2026

Black Vulture

23/1/2026

Turkey Vulture

173/1/2026

Bald Eagle

13/1/2026

Red-shouldered Hawk

23/1/2026

Barred Owl

23/1/2026

Belted Kingfisher

13/1/2026

Downy Woodpecker

13/1/2026

Hairy Woodpecker

13/1/2026

Eastern Phoebe

13/1/2026

Blue Jay

23/1/2026

American Crow

43/1/2026

Fish Crow

23/1/2026

Common Raven

13/1/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Scan the water surface methodically for diving ducks, loons, and grebes.

  2. 2

    Check the shoreline and mudflats for shorebirds and wading birds.

  3. 3

    Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade for birding?
The best months to visit Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade for birding are October-April. The best seasons are Spring and Fall and Winter.
What birds can I see at Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade?
Notable species at Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade include Canada Goose, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper. The area supports lake, river/riparian habitats.
How difficult is birding at Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade?
Birding at Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade?
Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.