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AUDUBON BIRD WALK
AT TAYLOE TRACT
On
Monday, June 9th, Sandy Spencer, will conduct a bird
walk at the Tayloe Tract of the Rappahannock River
Valley National Wildlife Refuge between Tappahannock and
Warsaw. Spencer is the wildlife biologist at the Refuge
which was founded in 1994 to help protect critical
habitat for bald eagles and other wildlife along the
Rappahannock River.
The 1,111 acre Tayloe Unit was the first tract acquired
by the Refuge in 1996. A dirt road runs through a
hard-wood swamp, home to breeding prothonotary warblers,
and into open fields. On this tract, agricultural land
is being restored to manage native grasslands for
grasshopper sparrows and other ground-nesting birds.
Grassland bird populations are declining rapidly as
farmland has been converted for commercial and
residential development.
This tract with its varied habitats will offer possible
sightings of many different birds, and Spencer will be
able to identify many more species by their calls.
Following are some of the species that may be seen or
heard. Along Cat Point Creek, you may see bald eagles,
great blue herons, king fishers, prothonotary warblers
and least bitterns. In the open areas and managed
grasslands, you may identify dickcissel, grass hopper
sparrows, indigo buntings, cedar waxwings, brown
thrashers, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and
orchard orioles. In the wooded areas, you may see or
hear scarlet tanagers, summer tanagers, woodpeckers,
flycatchers, vireos, warblers and purple martins.
Participants wishing to carpool should meet in the
parking lot of Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock by
7:30 a.m. Those driving directly to the site should plan
to meet at the entrance to the tract at 8:30 a.m.
Driving directions: From Rappahannock Community College
in Warsaw (1) Take Route 360 towards Tappahannock. Go
2.1 miles. (2) Turn right onto Route 624 (Newland Road).
Go 0.1 mile. (3) Turn left on Route 634 (Naylors Beach
Road). Go 2.0 miles. Look for the refuge sign on the
right that marks the entrance. From Tappahannock (1)
Take Route 360 East. Cross the bridge. Go approximately
3 miles. Turn left on Route 624 (Newland Road). Go 0.1
mile. See #3 above.
Binoculars, sun screen, long pants, tick repellant, and
water-resistant footwear are recommended. For additional
information, call Rick Skelton at 804-580-9066.
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