Audubon Bird Walk Monday, January 13, at Fones Cliffs, the
Newest Tract of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
On Monday, January 13, the Northern Neck Audubon (NNAS) Society will conduct a
walk at 9:00 a.m. in Richmond County at Fones Cliffs, the newest tract of the
Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge. This will be a very special
opportunity as this will be the first public bird walk on this new refuge site.
Fones Cliffs lie within an area designated by the Audubon Society as an
Important Bird Area (IBA) with global significance. The Fones Cliffs formation
is nationally recognized as having one of the highest concentrations of bald
eagles on the entire East Coast and is highlighted in the National Geographic
map “Treasured Landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay.” If you google Fones Cliffs,
there are fascinating articles on the history of the area including the fact
that Captain John Smith was attacked in 1608 by the Rappahannock Indians as he
navigated his shallop below the cliffs.
On December 15, Joe Cooney, leader of the walk spotted 17 species of birds,
including an American Woodcock, Buffleheads, Hooded Mergansers, 16 Bald Eagles,
a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, 22 Dark-eyed Juncos, Song
Sparrows and 50 Red-winged Blackbirds.
The Address is 850 Carters Wharf Road (Rt. 622), Warsaw, VA 22572. From Warsaw,
take Rt. 360 West towards Tappahannock. Go 2.4 miles and turn right onto
Newland Road (Rt. 624). Go 11 miles and turn left onto Carters Wharf Road (Rt
622). Go .9 miles and the entrance road will be on your left. The gate for
Fones Cliffs will be approximately 100 yards in from Carters Wharf Rd. Follow
the gravel road about 5 minutes to the parking area.
There will be several pairs of loaner binoculars available. If you have any
questions, you may text Joe Cooney at (509) 951-3179. For NNAS programs,
activities, and information, visit the website at
www.northernneckaudubon.org<http://www.northernneckaudubon.org>. Northern Neck
Audubon bird walks and programs are always open to the public.