Wildlife of the James - The Bald Eagle



Photo By John Bragg

 by Angie Williams, JRA's Events & Development Assistant

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is so named for its dynamic looks. Both the mature male and female have dark brown plumage with white feathers on their head, neck and tail, yellow feet and a large yellow beak. The term “bald” is derived from an older meaning of the word, "white headed".

Bald eagles are usually found near large bodies of water, so it is natural that their diet consists mainly of fish. However, they are opportunistic hunters and will feast on carrion when found. When hunting fish, the eagle swoops down over the water and grabs the fish with its talons. If the fish is too large for the eagle to carry there is a chance that the eagle may drown. Bald eagles can swim (a modified butterfly stroke), but they must reach land before they are able to fly again. This can put them at risk for hypothermia!

The bald eagle is the largest bird in North America. The female, which is slightly larger than the male, averages a body length of 36 inches and an impressive wingspan of between 79 and 90 inches. Eagles reach maturity between 4 and 5 years of age and usually mate for life. They generally lay between 2 and 3 eggs per year, although it is rare that all of the chicks will survive. Eagle nests are reused each year and new materials are added with each use. The largest eagle nest on record is in Florida and was measured to be 13 feet deep and 8 feet across.



Photo by John Bragg

 The bald eagle officially became the national emblem of the United States of America on June 20, 1782 and was chosen because of its long life, great strength, majestic looks, and because it was native to North America. Author Maude M. Grant tells this story of America’s symbolic bird:

It is said the eagle was used as a national emblem because, at one of the first battles of the Revolution the noise of the struggle awoke the sleeping eagles on the heights and they flew from their nests and circled about over the heads of the fighting men, all the while giving vent to their raucous cries. "They are shrieking for Freedom," said the patriots.

Thus the eagle, full of the boundless spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national emblem of a country that offers freedom in word and thought and an opportunity for a full and free expansion into the boundless space of the future.

When Europeans first arrived to the North American continent bald eagles were common. But as the human population increased, the eagle population decreased. Between 1917 and 1953, more than 100,000 bald eagles were killed in Alaska by salmon fisherman who feared they were endangering the salmon population. In the 1930s people became more aware of the constantly decreasing eagle population and in 1940 the Bald Eagle Protection Act was passed. This prohibited people from the taking of, possession and commerce of such birds as the bald eagle and the golden eagle.



Photo by John Bragg

 Following World War II, DDT and other pesticides became widely used. These chemicals found their way into the food chain where they were ingested by plant-eating animals, which were then consumed by birds of prey, like the eagle. These pesticides were detrimental to both adult birds and to their eggs. High levels of DDT made the eggs’ shells thin and as a result they were often crushed during incubation.

In the 1960s and 70s many states placed the bald eagle on their endangered species list. In 1967 the bald eagle was officially declared an endangered species in all areas of the U.S. below the 40th parallel. This action predated The Endangered Species Act that President Richard Nixon signed into law in 1973. This was considered one of the most comprehensive and important wildlife conservation laws in the world. But by that time, the bald eagle population on the James River had been decimated.

In a testament to the species’ resiliency, in July 2007, decades after banning DDT, and passing laws to protect the bald eagle and their nests, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service changed their listing from “endangered” to “threatened.” The bald eagle is one of the few species that have come back from the endangered species list and today, a record number of 165 breeding pairs of bald eagles have been recorded on the James River.

Top 5 Places to spot a Bald Eagle

Top 5 Places to Spot a Bald Eagle



Photo by John Bragg

 By Amber Ellis, JRA Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

Next time you go out on the James River, try to keep your head in the clouds and your eyes open to spot a Bald eagle. The best way to spot them is to understand where they hang out and what they look like. Mature eagles, both male and female, have a distinctive white head with a brown body with a very large wingspan. They nest in tall trees, usually near bodies of water. The James River now has 165 breeding pairs that were documented in March 2011 by the Center for Conservation Biology and The College of William and Mary. Below are some of the best places to see one of these majestic birds.


1. The James River Wildlife Refuge is a favorite spot for many eagles. It is not open to the public, but you can take your boat out on the James from Hopewell to Westover and you are sure to spot one.

2. The stretch of the James River near Jamestown and the mouth of the Chickahominy River is a great place to see an eagle. If you don’t have your own boat, take a ride on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry.

3. The Balcony Falls area of the James River offers a beautiful backdrop for spotting a bald eagle. The large boulders offer them a great place from which to hunt. If you are planning on taking your kayak, be careful as there is a Class III rapid through this stretch.

4. There are several nesting pairs along the Nansemond River in Suffolk. This river offers an alternative to those in the Hampton Roads areas that find the tidal James a little intimidating for their canoes or kayaks.

5. The shores of Lake Moomaw are home to several pairs of eagles. This is a great open area for those in the upper part of the James River watershed to spot an eagle.

For more information:
http://www.discoverthejames.com/?q=Eagle-Tour
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/birds/bald-eagles.asp
http://www.ccb-wm.org/virginiaeagles/index.htm

Wildlife of the James- The Barred Owl

By Judith Warrington, JRA's Communications Coordinator

If you are near a wooded area on one of these warm summer nights, listen to what’s going on in the darkness. The denizens of the night are out there. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear a Barred owl.


Deep moist forests or woodlands near rivers or lakes is the preferred home to one of eastern North America’s great predators. The Barred owl (Strix varia), so named because of his striped chest, is known for his distinctive call of Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all. Commonly called a hoot owl, this large, approximately 16 to 26-inch tall owl has an impressive 38 to 50-inch wingspan, a flat face, dark eyes (not the usual golden eyes of many owls), beautiful mottled plumage and is lacking ear tufts. The Barred owl’s soft brown/gray bark-like coloring allows him to virtually disappear into the trees where he roosts during the daytime.

Pairs mate for life and are territorial. Fortunately for owl-watchers, the Barred owl calls year round. Two broods of 2 to 4 chicks are raised each year and the young are in their parents’ care for about months. After this, the young owl’s stake out their own territory, which is usually not too far away? This is one owl that isn’t picky about what it eats. Insects, small mammals, frogs, snakes, lizards, roosting birds, even fish are on the menu.

Owls are so silent in their flight that even a large Barred owl can swoop past you in the darkness without making a sound, You’ll only be aware of a dark shape passing by and perhaps a rush of air. Because of their stealthy flight, Native Americans thought owls must be spirits. The owl’s silent flight is due to the comb-like structure of the leading edge of its primary wing feathers. This breaks down the turbulence and muffles the sound of the air rushing across the surface of the owl’s wings. Regardless of the physics, having an owl strafe you in the darkness is a chilling, almost supernatural experience.

Supposedly, Barred owls are attracted to campfires. Test this theory on your next camping trip in the woods and let us know if you had company.

You can hear the many sounds of the Barred owl here.

Conservation Tips: Stay Cool this Summer with Less Energy

by Amber Ellis, Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

As things heat up this summer you don’t have to choose between being cool and saving energy.  Here are some suggestions for keeping your home cooler without impacting our natural resources. 

Be a Friend of the River…Make simple steps in the home

During the day keep the shades or curtains closed to stop the heat from the sun from getting in. This is especially important for the windows on the south side or your home. Another easy way to save a lot of energy is to raise the thermostat to 78 degrees, even if it is only for the hours that you are at work. By turning on the ceiling fans you can make the room feel 5 degrees cooler, so turn up the thermostat and let the breeze cool you down!

Be a Guardian of the River….Enhance your landscape to cool your home

There are lots of things you can do outdoors to help it stay cool indoors. Large shade trees planted about 15 to 20 feet from the south and west side of the house can create much needed shade during the hot summer months, but will let the warmth of the sun come through during the winter months. They also can help when planted over patios, driveways, and air conditioning units. Shrubs can be used to shade walls, which is particularly important along brick walls that can heat up in direct sunlight. Just make sure to leave enough space in your yard to allow for that nice breeze to come through.


And in general, just plant more plants! Whether it’s a shrub or a perennial, they will help keep you cool through transpiration, which is when the water vapor is transpired from the plant to the atmosphere. This process cools the air around it, making you feel a little bit cooler during these hot summer days.


Learn More:

Dominion Summer Energy Saving Tips

Summer Conservation Tips Video

Conserving Energy with Landscaping

by Amber Ellis, JRA Watershed Restoration Project Associate/Volunteer Coordinator


As you head out for vacation this summer, there are a few simple ways that you can tread a little lighter on the earth, conserve energy, and protect the health of our waterways.

Be a Friend of the River…travel smart.

Turn off and unplug: Before you leave home make sure to unplug household appliances, such as entertainment systems, microwaves, and computers. Do a walk through and make sure to turn off all the lights. After you are in your hotel room, turn down the air and turn off the lights when you leave the room.

Bring your own snacks and water bottle: Whether you are flying or going on a car trip, packing your own snacks and water bottle can reduce waste and be cost effective. Buy snacks in bulk and then break them into smaller reusable containers for each member of the family. Bring along your reusable water bottle to fill up for free along the way. If you are going on a car trip, fill up a large water cooler or buy a large jug of water that everyone can use to fill up their personal bottle.

Hang up the ‘Do not Disturb’ sign: To reduce water and detergent usage by hotels, most of them now offer guests the option of reusing their towels and linens more than once. They will have door hangers, pillow cards, or towel door rack hangers that allow you to communicate with the housekeeping staff that you wish to reuse your linens.

Be a Guardian of the River…choose a ‘green’ destination.

Reduce flying time or go carbon neutral: Some say the journey is more important than the destination, and flying is one of the most energy consuming means of travel. The best thing is to avoid air travel if you can. If you must fly, try to limit the distance or go carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets based on the tons of CO2 created by your flight. The donations are used to fund projects that reduce carbon emissions, like tree planting or investment in green energy.

Take part in ecotourism: When deciding where you want to go, either choose somewhere close by or select an ecodestination. Ecotourism is an alternative responsible form of travel that takes you to natural areas that conserve the environment and supports the health and well-being of the local people. This could include a trip that takes you to a new new,inspiring environment, somewhere to volunteer, and to places that are completely off the energy grid.

For more information on conservation travel tips and ecotourism destinations, go to:
The International Ecotourism Society
Go Green Travel Green Travel Tips
Independent Traveler: Green Travel Tips

For more information on carbon offsets go to:
Carbon Offset Companies
The Conservation Fund: Go Zero

Wildlife of the James - Ick…The Tick!

By Judith Warrington, JRA Communications Coordinator
Outdoor activities make us keenly aware of one of the least favorite residents of the James River watershed, the tick. For its size, no other creature inspires such disproportionate fear and loathing! While the thought of ticks may bug you, they are not insects! Ticks are arthropods and a member of the class Arachnid, which includes such other eight-legged creepy crawlies as scorpions, daddy longlegs, spiders and mites.

Three of the most common ticks in the James River Watershed are the Lone Star tick (a potential carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), the Brown dog tick (not known to carry any diseases in Virginia) and the tiny Blacklegged or Deer tick, which is found primarily in northern and eastern sections of Virginia. This tick is a potential vector for Lyme disease. Is your skin crawling yet?

Ticks pass through three developmental stages: the larval stage (sometimes called a “seed tick,” which has six legs at this stage), nymph, and adult. Each stage prefers a different host. While you might think you’re the intended victim of this tiny blood-sucker, humans are merely accidental hosts. Your lack of fur means the tick is more likely to be found and is therefore less likely to get a good meal off you. Ticks may feed for several days until they are engorged with blood, then drop off. Fortunately for us, ticks tend to wander round for several hours before they find a cozy, protected spot to feed by inserting their mouthpart into the skin. And finding a traveling tick is always much better than having to remove one that is embedded.

Here’s one comforting fact about ticks…they can neither jump nor fly. The little opportunists simply wait for a preferred host – or you – to brush by them in tall grasses or bushes. But don’t let this tiny creature keep you indoors. Learn how to avoid them. It’s your best protection against ticks. The Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech offers these recommendations:

• Do a “tick check” immediately after being outdoors or every four hours.
• Stay out of tick infested areas such as tall grass and dense vegetation.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be easily spotted and removed.
• Wear a long sleeve shirt.
• Use an insect repellent that contains at least 30% DEET.
• Check your dog for ticks.
• Learn the proper way to remove a tick. How you remove it can increase or decrease your chances of infection!


For more information about ticks, visit http://www.ext.vt.edu/
For more information about tick-borne diseases, visit the VDH website at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/

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Top 5 Fly Fishing Spots

by Amber Ellis, JRA Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

We are in the thick of the best time for fly fishing in Virginia because of the perfect water temperature, amount of insects, and great water flow.  No matter where you live, there are great spots for fly fishing across the James River watershed.

1. The Jackson River: This headwater river of the James offers great spots including upriver of Lake Moomaw, accessed at Hidden Valley Campground, and downriver of Lake Moomaw, accessed by boat at a river access point in Bath County.

2. St. Mary’s River: A tributary of the James, this beautiful river meanders through St. Mary’s Wilderness Area, which is open to the public. This is a great place to catch native brook trout.

3. Back Creek: A tributary of the Jackson River, this stream is located in a rugged mountain setting in Bath County. Access is off Route 600.

4. Falls of the James: This seven-mile stretch of the James drops 105’ in elevation and runs through the metro Richmond area. It offers a unique fishing area that includes a mix of rapids, flatwater, and deep pools. It can be accessed at several points within the James River Park.

5. Rivanna River: This tributary of the James meanders through Charlottesville and joins the James near Columbia. It offers plenty of fish and easy wading. There are several access points, one of best is on Randolph Mill Lane near Shadwell.


Resources:

Fly Fishers of Virginia
Federation of Fly Fishers
Fishing the Falls of the James by Ralph White
Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters by Beau Beasley