[va-bird] NVBC Northern Neck Trip Summary

VA Birders,

    I led a group of 20 Northern Virginia Bird Club members on a trip to the 
Northern Neck last weekend, Nov. 22-24.  We actually included a bit of the 
Middle Peninsula as well.  For those who may be wondering, the Northern Neck 
includes the area east of Fredricksburg between the Potomac and Rappahannock 
Rivers; the Middle Peninsula is the area south of the Rappahannock--to the 
James River, I think.  Sorry I didn't post this report sooner, but I haven't 
had time until now.

    The group stayed at the relatively new and very pleasant Best Western 
Warsaw motel, in the town of Warsaw, which includes a free continental 
breakfast beginning at 6:00 am.  We met there at 2:00 pm on Friday and went 
to the Wilna Unit of the new (established 1996) Rappahannock River Valley NWR 
in Richmond Co., west of Warsaw.  To date, the refuge has acquired about 
5,000 acres in 12 tracts; future plans are to acquire a total of about 20,000 
acres.  Due to recent rains and construction of some facilities, which are 
supposed to be open by next spring, the roads were muddy and we decided just 
to take a short walk on a trail near the current (temporary) headquarters.  
Altho we didn't see much there, we think the refuge holds great promise for 
the future.  Old fields are/will be undergoing restoration to native grasses 
for species such as Grasshopper Sparrows and Dickcissels, which were 
reportedly seen there this past summer.  For more information, contact the 
refuge's Wildlife Biologist (and birder) Sandy Spencer at 804-333-1470 or 
<sandy_spencer@xxxxxxx>; the refuge is not yet officially open, but birders 
are welcome on days when hunting is not taking place there.

    On Saturday morning we birded at Washington's Birthplace National 
Monument in Westmoreland Co.  Highlights included an Eastern Phoebe and 
White-crowned Sparrows along the entrance road, and 2 Great Cormorants, 15 
Tundra Swans, a good variety of ducks including Common Goldeneye, and 3 Bald 
Eagles in the park.

    On Saturday afternoon, we drove to Vir-Mar Beach (thanks to Clair 
Mellinger, whose Feb. 2001 report led me to this spot), which is located on 
the Chesapeake Bay, in Northumberland Co., VA, immediately south of where the 
Potomac River enters the bay.  Highlights here included Red-throated and 
Common Loons, Horned Grebes, many Northern Gannets, Brown Pelicans, a flight 
of Tundra Swans, all 3 scoters, a large raft of 30 or more Long-tailed Ducks 
(formerly Oldsquaws), and Bufflehead.  Directions to Vir-Mar (for 
Virginia-Maryland) Beach are as follows:  from Rt. 3 or 17 (at Warsaw or 
Tappahannock), take Rt. 360 north/east to Rt. 644.  Turn left on 644 and 
continue to Vir-Mar Beach Road, turn left onto this road, and go to its end 
at the water.  Since you will be looking east and southeast, plan to go in 
the afternoon, and you will need a scope as most of the birds were some 
distance away.

    On Saturday evening we had a group dinner at Lowery's Seafood Restaurant 
on Rt. 17 in Tappahannock, which is a very popular local restaurant.  We 
found the food and service there were both very good.  Group reservations 
(Phone:  804-443-2800) should be made well in advance.

    We spent Sunday morning at a private tree farm in Essex Co., northwest of 
Tappahannock, with special permission from the owner.  Highlights there 
included Ruddy Ducks, 4 Bald Eagles, a Northern Harrier, Horned Larks, a 
Hermit Thrush, and a late Brown Thrasher.                 

Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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