This is a good spot to look for Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, the occasional Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and Hooded Merganser among other duck species. Pied-billed Grebe has also been reported here along with Virginia Rail and Sora. Great Egrets can sometimes be found July through September. Belted Kingfishers are usually present.

While you scan the water you may also hear Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Swamp Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, and other passerine species.

The area around Strong Swamp in Benson is private so the only vantage point is from Lake Road. There is a small pull-off, but use caution as it is on a curve in the road.

A scope is useful here. Although frozen over in winter and not terribly birdy during summer, it is worth checking as the ice goes out in the spring or in the fall as waterfowl and other species move south.

The area can be birded in a short time due to the limited access so it’s a good idea to combine this stop with others in the area such as Benson Landing on Lake Road. Although not hotspots, Stage Road and Park Hill Road are worth a look.