On Saturday, April 27, the Northern Neck Audubon Society will conduct a bird walk at 9:00 a.m. at Menokin Plantation near Warsaw.  Menokin is surrounded by a vast cultural landscape, 325 acres of which are in a conservation easement that is part of the Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge. It is located along the shoreline of Cat Point Creek, a pristine tributary of the Rappahannock River.  Menokin, built c. 1769, was the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, Menokin, now the remains of a historic mansion, is undergoing a major renovation project.  The website states “The Menokin project is the most unique, interesting and engaging preservation project in the nation today.”  Google Menokin.org for a fascinating video of the project.

This is peak migration time for many bird species which will make it a prime time for sightings.  Among possible sightings are black-and-white, Northern Parula, chestnut-sided, and yellow-throated warblers, vireos, Acadian flycatchers, gnatcatchers, summer and scarlet tanagers, belted kingfishers, woodpeckers, hawks, osprey, and bald eagles.

 The GPS address is 4037 Menokin Road, Warsaw, VA.  Directions are as follows:  Take Route 360 to Warsaw.  At the stoplight at the intersection of Route 360 and Route 3 (Main Street), go West on Main Street (Route 3). Go two blocks and turn left on Menokin Road (Rt. 690).  Stay on 690 for 4.2 miles.  Turn left at the historical marker at the entrance to Menokin.  Proceed to the Visitor’s Center. 

There will be several pairs of loaner binoculars available.  For cancelations, additional information about the Northern Neck Audubon Society, upcoming bird walks and programs, visitwww.northernneckaudubon.org.  NNAS bird walks and programs are always open to the public.