SATURDAY, April 27 - GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Meet 7:30 AM in the main parking lot at the end of Jericho Lane.
Spring migration should be in full swing at the swamp! With this earlier starting time, we're hoping to catch a Barred Owl before it has gone to sleep for the day. Other target birds include Swainson's Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush. The Refuge has been contacted and they have assured me that the restroom on Jericho will be unlocked.
Directions: From Norfolk/Portsmouth area, follow I-64 or I-664 to Bower’s Hill, then proceed west into Suffolk on Rte 13/58/460. After passing the SPSA regional landfill, bear right to take the local exit to Suffolk, then turn south (left) onto Rte 337 (E. Washington Street). Proceed to the 2nd stop light and make a hard left turn onto White Marsh Road (Rte 642). Drive to Jericho Ditch Lane and meet at the parking lot at the end of the lane.
SATURDAY, May 4 - CHAS BIRD-A-THON at GREAT DISMAL SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 7:00 AM Until 5:00 pm, based at main parking lot at the end of Jericho Lane.
The CHAS bird-a-thon will be in a different format this year. We are going to set up shop at the parking lot for the Jericho Ditch at the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge. We invite the public to join us for a day long event. We will take walks along Jericho, Hudnell and Lynn Ditches to see and hear as many of the birds of the swamp as possible. We will take set pledge amounts, pledges per species count and will take donations and accept new Audubon members. We will have folks available to talk about birding the Hampton Roads area, using eBird to keep track of bird sightings and various other topics. Come out and join us. Stay for a little while, stay for a long while, visit and come back if you wish. This is a fundraiser for CHAS to support our conservation and education efforts. It will be a fun day that coincides with the World Big Day where folks from all over the world enjoy and/or discover bird watching.
Directions: From Norfolk/Portsmouth area, follow I-64 or I-664 to Bower’s Hill, then proceed west into Suffolk on Rte 13/58/460. After passing the SPSA regional landfill, bear right to take the local exit to Suffolk, then turn south (left) onto Rte 337 (E. Washington Street). Proceed to the 2nd stop light and make a hard left turn onto White Marsh Road (Rte 642). Drive to Jericho Ditch Lane and meet at the parking lot at the end of the lane.
SUNDAY, May 19 - INDIAN RIVER PARK Meet 8:30 AM at 2003 Rokeby Ave, Chesapeake
Join us for a bird walk in this hidden gem of eastern Chesapeake. Our own Rogard Ross has been instrumental in fixing up the park for public use. You'll be surprised at the wide variety of habitat.
Directions: Take I-64 to the Greenbrier Parkway North exit (exit 289N). Merge onto Greenbrier Parkway, keeping to the right. Turn right onto US-13 North (Military Highway). Turn right onto Rokeby Avenue, parking lot will be on the right.
Field Trip Inclement Weather Policy
Since the Cape Henry Audubon Society outings have no scheduled rain dates, we try to conduct all of our field trips…rain or shine. For most weather conditions, this has worked well and will continue to be our goal. However, if on the night before a field trip, severe weather i.e. torrential rain, heavy snow, dangerous wind, flooding, etc. is forecast, and you have doubts about the trip being held, call 484-7398. If the field trip chair doesn’t answer, a recorded announcement will inform you of any changes or cancellations.