FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Special Kiptopeke Challenge Opportunities!

[KurtCapt87@xxxxxxx]

Special Team Birding Opportunities for the Kiptopeke Challenge
In an effort to increase participation in the Kiptopeke Challenge 2003 
fundraiser, the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory has arranged with several 
land-use managers special, one-time only access to important natural areas that 
are often closed to the public.  These areas are available to Special Teams 
that 
agree to spend at least a portion of their day birding these locations and 
raise at least $100 for the CVWO.  The Special Teams are asked to keep a list 
of 
species and estimated numbers to be shared with the land-use manager and the 
CVWO.  In this fashion more information about the extent of avian migration on 
the Virginia coastal region is obtained.  Acknowledgement of the Special 
Teams' efforts will be made at the Eastern Shore Birding Festival.  Captains of 
Special Teams should contact Kurt Gaskill (kurtcapt87@xxxxxxx or 703 768 2172) 
in the near future to sign up for these locations and get the associated 
information packets.  Act quickly - these are all limited opportunities and 
will go 
to the first to sign up!

Migration Wave at Wise Point, ESVNWR
The Wise Point area of ESVNWR is well known as an outstanding location to 
view migrants early in the day, especially during significant flights as the 
birds move through the Southern Tip.  It consists of conifer forest, bushes, 
some 
grassy edges, salt marshes, meadows, and seasonal streams.  Through special 
arrangement with ESVNWR, this normally closed area will be opened up to a 
Special Team for the day.  The Special Team may also visit other normally 
closed 
areas in the refuge in the Southern Tip region.  The ESVNWR is known to have 
ticks and chiggers and participants should come prepared.  The information 
gathered will be used by the ESVNWR to document avian usage of the area.  It 
will 
also be made available to the CVWO banding effort at Kiptopeke State Park for 
comparison with net data.  The Team could combine this location with others to 
concentrate on the Southern Tip region (nearby preserves also available) to 
build up a sense of the day's migration events.

Wreck Island NAP and Smith Island (TNC)
Wreck Island NAP lies within the chain of barrier islands that parallel the 
seaside of the Eastern Shore and is 7 miles due east of Oyster, VA; the 
preserve is only accessible by boat.  One of the most productive nesting sites 
on the 
Eastern Shore for colonial shorebirds, Wreck Island supports large colonies 
of Black Skimmers, a variety of Terns, and a large mixed-species heronry during 
the breeding season.  The extensive marsh provides food and shelter for a 
variety of waterbirds throughout the year.  Exposed peat banks, a dynamic 
barrier 
beach and sand bars on the east side of the island support diverse species of 
sandpipers and other beach foragers.  Seaside Sparrows and other grassland 
species can be found within the dune grassland communities.  Data collected 
during the Kiptopeke Challenge will be used to supplement the Natural Heritage 
stewardship inventory database and to direct future management decisions for 
the 
preserve. 

Smith Island (TNC) is approximately 3 miles from ESVNWR and is only 
accessible by boat.  Similar to Wreck with extensive breeding shorebird 
colonies and 
key habitats for migratory birds, it is one of the few places in Virginia where 
Snowy Plover has been observed.  Data collected will be shared with TNC to aid 
in management decisions.  For strong paddlers, this location can be accessed 
by sea kayak (see Salt Marsh and Barrier Island Kayak Adventures for details).

Brownsville Farm
The Nature Conservancy of Virginia has kindly granted a Special Team access 
to Brownsville Farm. The entire 1200-acre reserve will be available and 
includes extensive sea-side salt marshes, tidal creeks and marshes, forest, and 
fields.  These areas are critical to migrating birds for "fueling up" for 
southbound migration.  This reserve also has a good population mix of local 
passerines, 
rails, and owls.  The Team will meet with TNC staff at the property office 
located near Nassawadox before the KC for additional details and guidelines 
about the property.  The TNC and CVWO would consider short stories or 
photographs 
of the Team's day on the farm for publication. This location could form a core 
portion of a Big Day (if desired) for specialization in Northhampton coastal 
habitats.

First Landing State Park 
Dedicated as a National Natural Landmark in 1965, First Landing State Park 
possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage 
and contributes to a better understanding of Man's environment.  Participants 
will have an opportunity to explore the park's fourteen natural community 
types, ten of which are considered rare or exceptional and, one, the maritime 
forest, is globally rare.  Information collected during the event will be 
shared 
with the Virginia Beach chapter of the Audubon Society for refinement of their 
bird list that shows the probability of observing a particular species in any 
given month.  If desired, this location could form the core of a "Big Day" 
focused on southeast coastal locations.

Savage Neck Dunes NAP
Savage Neck Dunes NAP, located near Eastville, VA, is a 299 acre preserve 
encompasses a variety of coastal habitats, including exemplary maritime forest, 
dune shrub and grassland communities and a mile of undeveloped Chesapeake Bay 
Shoreline.  Holocene inland dunes of up to 50 feet, for which the preserve is 
named, are among the highest elevation points on the Eastern Shore.  A large 
natural pond provides excellent habitat for wintering waterfowl.  In addition, 
the preserve contains 84 acres of old agricultural fields, currently being 
restored to migratory songbird habitat. Data gathered during the Kiptopeke 
Challenge will be combined with an ongoing monitoring study of migratory and 
resident 
bird populations to guide future restoration and management decisions.  This 
location can easily be combined with other Southern Tip locations for a full 
day.

Parker's Marsh NAP
Parker's Marsh NAP is located on the Chesapeake Bay in Accomack County.  
Bordered by Onancock and Chesconessex Creeks, this 750 acre preserve provides 
exemplary habitat for marsh birds and waterfowl, including the state rare 
Sharp-tailed Sparrow.  The series of small creeks that wind through the marsh 
permit 
access to the interior of the marsh by kayak or canoe.  Encircling the marsh 
are areas of sandy beach intertwined with exposed peat banks, providing 
foraging 
habitat for a variety of shorebirds.  A thorough species inventory is being 
compiled for Parker's Marsh NAP. Data collected during the Kiptopeke Challenge 
will supplement the inventory and be used to guide future management 
decisions. (For those without canoe, sign up for Salt Marsh and Barrier Island 
Kayak 
Adventures for access.)   

Salt Marsh and Barrier Island Kayak Adventures
The salt marshes and adjacent areas of the Eastern Shore are not only 
nurseries for millions of breeding birds, but also migratory and wintering 
grounds 
for countless others - herons, waterfowl, hawks, rails, shorebirds, warblers 
and 
sparrows.  Through the special sponsorship of Southeast Expeditions, a 
limited number of sea kayaks will be made available to Special Teams focused on 
birding bay and coastal salt marshes such as the ESVNWR marsh and nearby 
Raccoon 
Island and the bayside Parker's Marsh (or your own location).  And, thanks to 
the kind permission from TNC, strong paddlers may travel to and land on Smith 
Is. on the Atlantic side.  Plus, you will enhance our knowledge of avian usage 
of these key habitats on Virginia's Eastern Shore during fall migration. This 
is the ideal opportunity for birders who love paddling - or paddlers who love 
birding!  Whatever the case may be, sign your team up for a unique birdathon 
adventure!

Overhead Migrants at the KSP Hawk Watch Platform
Come out to one of the best spots on the east coast for watching migrating 
raptors (the record east coast Merlin flight was noted here!) - with the added 
benefit of observing migrating passerines!  Located in Kiptopeke SP, the hawk 
watch platform will be staffed by pro-counter Jennifer Ottinger this year.  
This is a great location for visiting birders to participate in the Kiptopeke 
Challenge, if only for a short time.  Assist Jennifer in counting hawks and 
find 
nearby passerines to make a list for the "Platform Potoos".  All skill levels 
are welcome!  Be sure to include your name and address with your donation for 
inclusion into the Official Summary of the Kiptopeke Challenge - and so we can 
mail your gift if you cannot attend the awards ceremony at the Eastern Shore 
Birding Festival!


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