Hilton Pond Center (Important Bird Research Area)

The Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is located on an old farmstead retired from agriculture in 1982. Since then, natural succession has re-claimed the property and provided diverse microhabitats including the 1.5-acre Hilton Pond. The Center is the most active bird banding site in the Carolinas with nearly 41,000 birds of 123 species banded since 1982.

Ornithological Summary

The Hilton Pond Center is the most active bird banding site in the Carolinas with 50,000 birds of 123 species banded since 1982.

Conservation Issues

The principle threat to Hilton Pond is the encroachment of residential development into the adjacent property as the Town of York grows. This will adversely impact the bird populations found at the Center.

Ownership

The Hilton Pond Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and avian research with emphasis on bird banding.

Habitat

Hilton Pond is a small, 11 acre tract in a generally suburban landscape. The principle feature is a man-made pond and the mixed pine hardwood forest that covers the site of this former farm.

Land Use

The Hilton Pond Center was established in 1982 as an ornithological research center with its prime interest in bird banding.