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. For NNAS programs, activities, and information, visit the website at www.northernneckaudubon.org. Northern Neck Audubon bird walks and programs are always open to the public.