Holman Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Holman Loop begins at the main parking area and meanders through a restored native plant meadow and surrounding forest areas at Horton Grove Nature Preserve north of Durham. The Holman Loop also connects to the Hart Trail in the forested area to the west of the meadow.

The native plant meadow is home to numerous native plant and wildlife species, especially birds and insect pollinators. Several stands of milkweed host monarch butterflies throughout the year, and 11 other butterfly species have been identified in the meadow. Numerous bird species use the meadow, including northern bobwhite quail. Native warm season grasses have sprouted and been planted, and native flowering plants abound throughout the meadow. This ecosystem and many of these species have become rare throughout the Piedmont due to development, agriculture, and the lack of fire on the landscape that historically kept areas open and free of trees.

The native plant meadow is habitat for numerous species, including rabbits, deer, turkey, fox, and coyote. However, birds are especially plentiful in the meadow, including pileated woodpecker, American woodcock, and northern bobwhite quail. Native warm season grasses are found throughout the meadow and many flowering plants have been restored, including milkweed. The flowering plants attract numerous pollinators, including 12 species of butterfly and 4 skippers.