Lincoln Golf Course Trail Head

Access:
From Belmont Road proceed eastward on Elks Drive to the parking lot for the Lincoln Golf Course. The multi-use trail parallels the road just after passing through the dike opening. Go left (northward) on the trail.

Near Lincoln Golf Course

Although the golf course itself is closed to birding, the multi-use trail proceeds along the east side of the course. About 200 yards from the parking lot, the trail branches with the right branch leading to the Pat Owens Pedestrian Bridge across the Red River. The left branch goes past a good woodland with a heavy understory, and then past a storm-water retention pond before reaching Lincoln
Drive Park.

Cedar Waxwing

Beginning at the parking lot, a line of crabapple trees adjacent to the bike path is an excellent spot to look for wintering robins, waxwings, Purple Finches, and in some years, Pine Grosbeaks. These same trees are well worth checking in migration. The woodlands between the golf course and the river is a prime birding area, especially during migration. In recent years, one or more pairs of American Redstarts have been present in summer. Singing Yellow-throated Vireos may be more easily heard here than elsewhere on the Greenway. American Elms use to dominate this area, but their demise has now opened up the canopy allowing a thick understory dominated by Green Ash. Other nesting species include Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Orioles, and Wood Ducks.

Lincoln Storm-Water Pond

The storm-water retention pond just north of the golf course attracts a variety of birds depending on water levels. In summer look for Spotted Sandpiper, Mallard, and Wood Duck. In fall migration, shorebirds present can include Solitary Sandpiper, both species of yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, and Wilson's Snipe. Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Green Heron also occur occasionally.

Solitary Sandpiper

Yellow-throated Vireo

Return to ND Side of Greenway

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