Cooper Lake State Park - Doctor's Creek Unit
Time of Visit: Mid-June.
Just finished a four-day stay at the Doctor’s Creek Unit of Cooper Lake State Park — the quieter, smaller sibling of the two parks on the lake. If you like your birding with less foot traffic and more solitude (and maybe a little mud), this one’s for you.
Of course, I say “birding” loosely, because two of those four days were spent listening to the soothing patter of relentless rain. The third day was not much better. But the first day? Absolutely lovely — blue skies, sunshine, and birds that practically rolled out a welcome mat.
As I set up the camper, the local birds wasted no time in introducing themselves. A Prothonotary Warbler made himself right at home on my campsite, and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo lurked nearby, muttering just out of view. Toss in a White-eyed Vireo, Northern Cardinals, and the ever-chatty Carolina Wren, and it felt like the kind of campsite where you should charge admission.
Trails and Highlights
Despite the rain delays, I managed to cover several areas of the park, including a few sections of the Cedar Creek Trail system. Let me say up front — the trails are very well maintained. The south loop had been freshly mowed, with about a four-foot-wide path the whole way. During dry weather, these trails would be excellent for mobility-limited birders. During rainy weather? Bring your boots and maybe a canoe.
At the trailhead for Cedar Creek, I was greeted by a pair of Eastern Phoebes who barely acknowledged my existence — a refreshing change from the usual side-eye you get from more judgmental birds. While I geared up, a Prothonotary Warbler sang from the brush, then flew in for a classic "look at me" pose. Several photos later, I was on my way.
The South Loop brought sightings and calls from both Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Blue Jays, Indigo and Painted Buntings, and more Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Honestly, if you're a fan of cuckoos (and who isn’t?), this trail is a gold mine.
On the North and East Loops, it was more of the same (which is not a complaint). Plenty of Buntings, Cuckoos, Prothonotarys, and the usual suspects like Jays, Cardinals, and a few suspiciously casual Turkey Vultures circling overhead.
I also stopped by the Group Camping Area, which produced another round of cuckoos, buntings, and a bonus Orchard Oriole — because variety is the spice of birding.
The Dam Bonus Round
For an added adventure, I made a side trip to the boat ramp just across the Jim Chapman Dam. That spot turned out to be a Painted Bunting party — I saw three males in the parking lot alone. Prothonotarys were calling from multiple directions, and a number of other species made appearances. The buntings, however, were the stars of the show — they didn’t seem fazed at all by my presence and allowed me to snap some excellent photos.
Final Thoughts
Even though I was visiting in mid-June, well past the excitement of peak migration, Doctor’s Creek delivered a highly satisfying birding experience. While I didn’t rack up a massive species list (ended with 30 species total), the bird density was impressive — especially for Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and Painted Buntings, who clearly did not get the memo that things were supposed to quiet down by now.
In short: fewer people, more cuckoos, and a surprising number of colorful characters made this a trip well worth the damp socks.
Been to Doctor’s Creek yourself? Share your own muddy tales or Prothonotary encounters below!
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