New River Expedition 2024

Last Wednesday, 12 campers and 4 naturalist educators headed out on a 29.5 mile journey down the New River…. and what a trip it was!

Day 1: Wagoner Access to Riverbend (1.5 miles)

The naturalist educators spent the morning putting the finishing touches on all the efficiently-packed gear we’d assembled over the past week (shout out to Cade and Brendan) and enjoyed a quick, quiet lunch before the craziness of the next few days! Campers and their adults started rolling up to the schoolhouse at 2:00PM for check in. This year we had a full roster! After tossing everyone’s personal gear into the bed of the truck, doing some introductions, and reviewing rules, we headed to our starting point an hour and a half away. Drew gave the campers a quick run-down on water safety (emergency whistles, paddle signals, etc) and then the adventure really began! Within the first 10 minutes, we saw a beaver (Castor canadensis) swimming by the shoreline! 1.5 miles passed in the blink of an eye, and we were pulling up on the shores of our first campsite. Riverbend is remote- no cell service, an outhouse a half mile away, and no water source. But that’s what makes it everyone’s favorite! Cade took some campers fly fishing, others waded for crayfish (we’ll never forget Kyle Crawdad, who’s a failure for committing tax fraud). After a delicious walking taco dinner, we crowded around the campfire and told stories- some silly, some scary. And of course, ate s’mores!

Fly Fishing with Naturalist Educator Cade

Day 2: Riverbend to 221 Access (8 miles)

You know it’s going to be a great day when you wake up to the smell of pancakes and bacon! We’re so spoiled in the first 24 hours of NRE. The theme of today’s journey? SWIMMING! All three of our stopping points were great swimming spots. Ariel’s Riptide has a strong current great for floating, or fighting your way upstream. Trying to perch on Ariel’s rock is a balancing act not for the faint of heart. After limboing under the low-bridge, we spent our lunch hour snorkeling and trying to grab an elusive northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon). Right before the end of our day, we stopped at a wide, shallow stretch with shady shores to go fly fishing and search for macroinvertebrates. Plus we saw plenty of bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) nests! When we pulled up to 221, the kids demonstrated their impressive bucket brigading skills to get ALL of our gear (kayaks and canoes included) to our campsite. We had a relaxing evening of games before we explored 221’s trails in the dark. We didn’t have any luck calling in a barred owl (Strix varia) on our walk, but one started calling as soon as we got back to camp! Throughout the night, bold raccoons (Procyon lotor) wandered through our camp, trying to get their paws on our precious food buckets… and skillfully avoiding Drew sleeping in one of the canoes. 

Ariel’s Rock (under Naturalist Educator Olivia) and Riptide

Day 3: 221 Access to Allegheny Access (15 miles)

Today, we were hustling. Going 15 miles in a day is no easy feat. And the campers handled it like champs. Our first break was at the big rock, before our first real rapid. These rapids are split into two paths: one goes straight downriver but is steep and rocky, the other has a sharp turn but is full of water that creates a quick current. Last year taught us to take the sharp turn! Our next stop in the day was very different- a calm, wide stretch of river when we rafted up and did drive-thru PB&Js. Last, but not least, we made it to Old Rusty’s Falls, our second major rapid. Named affectionately after our first river camp session last year, when Cade and Olivia capsized the canoe and lost our stove in the river. The kids made it look easy! And we know from our Rusty recovery mission during our second session that it's a great swimming spot to cool down towards the end of a long day. When we finally paddled into Allegheny Access and unloaded everything, everyone was dead tired. So we took a nice long break and then ate a hearty dinner. Our evening was filled with a nature walk (collecting chanterelles that we cooked up), sculpting mud faces, manhunt, and riddles! Plus, admiring the special New River candle that Cade makes for every river camp out of a decorated can and Baby Bell cheese wax. We were all so tired that nobody stayed up too late!

Campers learned about the importance of accurate mushroom ID- some were fooled by Jack-o-lantern mushrooms!

The Sprouts

by Esme

Granny

by Olivia

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

by Annabelle

Day 4: Allegheny Access to 93 Bridge (4 miles)

Our last day! Time passes so quickly on the river. No crazy rapids or huge distance in front of us today (and some of us still sore from yesterday’s miles), we weren’t in any rush to make it to the end of our trip. We made time for a last game of battleship and enjoyed some bird watching. When we did make it to 93 Bridge, the snack feast began! All our leftover snacks and food were up for grabs (and man did they disappear quickly). And then we loaded our gear up and headed back to BRDC.

Our final raft-up, right before we reached 93 Bridge. We struggled a little to get the right formation, but it came together in the end! Every person shared their favorite part of the trip.

Another amazing New River Expedition in the books- even knowing the route, the river is different every time. We couldn't have asked for a better crew, better weather, or better river conditions, and are excited for next year’s trip already!

The whole 2024 gang! (Not pictured: Mrs. Lisa, transporter of gear and boats!)

New River Expedition-Take 2

Another successful New River Expedition for the books! Last week, campers joined our guides on a second four-day, 30-mile kayaking trip down the New River. These strong paddlers covered more than 13 miles in a single day, braving two “canoe tipper rapids.”

Along the way, they took a few breaks to swim and snorkel the river. The nights were full of catching fireflies and telling riddles around the campfire. The campers had the opportunity to see (and even catch) several amazing species that live along the New River including a bald eagle, rock bass, water snake, and painted box turtle.

While at campsites, we took a few hikes to explore the forest that grows alongside the river. There were plenty of fresh blackberries to snack on, and they even got to fry up some foraged chanterelle and oyster mushrooms as an appetizer for the last dinner. It was another great expedition. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Upcoming Christmas Bird Counts!

Pictured: Red-breasted Nuthatch

Christmas bird counts have been a tradition since the early 1900s when an ornithologist suggested that bird hunters count birds rather than hunt them. This bird count has now happened every year since in a multitude of different locations. The Christmas Bird Count, organized by the Audubon Society, is a North American citizen science survey that runs from December 14th through January 5th each year. Information gathered during these counts helps us to better understand the health and status of bird populations. This type of stewardship is something that represents one of our pillars at BRDC and we are so excited to be able to participate in two Christmas Bird Counts this year.

The New River Christmas Bird Count will be the first bird count that BRDC participates in this year. Each year, Blue Ridge Discovery Center heads up to the New River CBC, centered around Sparta, NC. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate! This event is free to all and we’ll make a full day of it. This will take place on Saturday, December 17th from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Pictured: Song Sparrow

The Mount Rogers Christmas Bird Count will be the second bird count that BRDC participates in this year. This bird count will be led by local bird expert Allen Boynton. His knowledge of birds is truly remarkable and we are so glad that he will be guiding the Mount Rogers CBC. This will take place on Sunday, December 18th from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Interested in joining us for a Christmas Bird Count? Please contact Keely Doyle at kdoyle@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or (276) 388-3155.

Pictured: Northern Cardinal

New River Expedition

Twelve eager young people and four BRDC staff set out on one of our favorite summer adventures: a four-day, three-night expedition down the New River, camping on its banks by night and paddling on its waters by day. The trip covered around 25 river miles with some Class I and II rapids adding to the excitement.

We snorkeled and swam before the river became churned up from the heavy downpours and then made good use of our time on land searching for insects, amphibians, and reptiles. A special treat was a nice dunk under a waterfall. Quite refreshing after paddling in the hot sun.

And there is nothing like a hot meal after a long day on the water. Breaking bread morning, noon, and night added to the camaraderie and friendship around the stove and the fire. Roasting marshmallows and eating key lime pie riverside can’t be beat. Games such as battleship and ninja kept us competitive and laughing. We couldn’t have asked for a better crew and surely lifelong friendships and memories were made.

Expedition on the New

Twelve eager young people and four BRDC staff set out on one of our favorite summer adventures: a four-day, three-night expedition down the New River, camping on its banks by night and paddling on its waters by day. The trip covered around 25 river miles with some Class I and II rapids adding to the excitement.

We snorkeled and swam before the river became churned up from the heavy downpours and then made good use of our time on land searching for insects and amphibians, all of which were found a plenty. A special treat was a nice dunk under a waterfall on the last night. Quite refreshing after paddling in the hot sun…no, we weren’t complaining after the rains, but it did get warm!

And there is nothing like a hot meal after a long day on the water. Breaking bread morning, noon, and night added to the camaraderie and friendship around the stove and the fire. Roasting marshmallows and eating key lime pie and cherry cobbler riverside can’t be beat. Games such as battleship, ninja, and ultimate frisbee kept us competitive and laughing all the while.

We couldn’t have asked for a better crew and surely lifelong friendships and memories were made. At least they were for us! This camp is supported by the 2018 Virginia Wildlife Grant Program through a partnership between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia. Thank you for your support in purchasing kayaks and helmets to keep our kids safe and actively exploring, discovering, and sharing the wonders of the Blue Ridge!

At the Summit

A beautiful week of sunshine and cool weather was spent with the 5th graders from Summit School. They explored the Blue Ridge from the rivers and streams to the peaks of mountains. Fly fishing, hiking, birding, snorkeling, and kayaking; they carried back a taste of the place we call home. Finishing the week along the New River, satiated by “walking tacos”, an eagle flew past. Could there be a better end to our time together than a salutation from their mascot?

New River Expedition 2018!

Being in the thick of winter we thought it might be a good time to compile the footage from our New River Expedition last summer, when the days were hot, long, and filled with all sorts of fun! Going through video clips from summer camps always cracks me up. You never fully hear all of the conversations taking place in the field but the microphone captures all, so I had to put some captions in here just for clarification! As much as our camps are about exploration and experiential learning, the greatest thing about camp is ALWAYS the personalities of the kids. It never fails that we have one or two comedians on the trip to keep us highly entertained! (wait till you hear the Russian/Trump impersonation on the Fly Fishing Camp)

The New River Expedition is one of those adventures that will stick with you for a lifetime, embedded in your identity. With all the gear packed into canoes and kayaks, we start down the river on a 4day/3night trip, pitching camp in three different locations. Along the way we snorkel, fly fish, go on an owl prowl, portage a dam, look at birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and aquatic insects, we talk about geology and riparian ecology, and we do LOTS of swimming. We keep them well fed with snacks and camp meals to fuel their 72 hour adventure. In the end, when we arrive at the boat ramp, we are all cooked! No doubt these kids crash into sleep in the backseat of their parent’s cars, and maybe hit up Arby’s right away, hehehe, but I imagine that their reflection on the trip begins immediately as they recite stories to family. I also imagine that, like us, they are dreaming of their adventure during the cold winter days of January!

Looking forward to 2019!

2018 Summer Camp registration is now open!

We are excited to announce our 2018 Summer Camps. Online registration is now open!

Blue Ridge Discovery Center has put together six exciting camps for next summer, including backpacking, fly fishing, kayaking, ornithology, and two discovery day camps. Even though each of these camps originates with different subjects of focus, they are all ultimately gateways to exploring the rich natural history of the Blue Ridge. There is nothing more powerful than spending time outdoors with mentors who can connect you to the wonders of nature.

ORNITHOLOGY CAMP
$355 (Members) / $395 (Non-members)
Wednesday-Saturday, June 6-9
4 days / 3 nights
Ages 9-13

NEW RIVER EXPEDITION
$355 (Members) / $395 (Non-members) 
Wednesday-Saturday, July 11-14
4 days / 3 nights
Ages 11-15

WILDERNESS DISCOVERY
$455 (Members) / $495 (Non-members)
Monday-Friday, Jun 30 - August 3
5 days / 4 nights
Ages 11-15

FLY FISHING
$795 (Members) / $755 (Non-members)
Tuesday-Saturday, July 24-28
5 days / 6 nights
Ages 11-15

DISCOVERY DAY CAMP: KONNAROCK
$50
Monday-Friday, June 11-15
8:30am-3:30pm daily
5 Days including lunch and snacks
Ages 6-10

DISCOVERY DAY CAMP: GALAX
$50
Monday-Friday, June 25-29
8:30am-3:30pm daily
5 Days including lunch and snacks
Ages 6-10

We are keeping the limits of the camps low to provide an engaging experience for the kids and allow us to take flexible trips in the BRDC van. With this slate of camps we have the opportunity to serve 64 kids throughout the summer. We need your help getting the word out and connecting us with youth who could really benefit from our camps! Tell your friends and family about BRDC and get them signed up! You can sign-up and learn more on our webpage.

Of those 64 kids, we aim to offer 22 full scholarships to our camps, opening the door for everyone in our community to participate in these opportunities. If your child has a real drive to attend camp or your family has a financial limitation, we encourage you to apply for one of our scholarships at: Summer Camp Scholarships 

An Expedition on the New

The New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and Alleghany and Grayson Counties are graced with its presence. BRDC shared its majesty with 9 eager kayakers during a 4 day/3 night camp we call New River Expedition.

Carrying all provisions in canoes and kayaks, camping at canoe-in-only campgrounds or on private, remote islands allowed these campers to see and experience the beauty and tranquility of the New River. Traveling past meadows and farmland, through rugged hillsides and craggy rock cliffs, on flat water and Class II/III rapids accentuated the power of this ancient river.

Each day, these campers traveled 6-9 miles down the river honing in their boating skills. They loaded and unloaded their gear and set up camp every night. Campfires were built, dinner was prepared and hammocks were hung. And along the way, they learned fly fishing, snorkeled, investigated nighttime wildlife and learned about protecting our riparian zone and the web of life associated with this river. Eagles flying overhead, floating down rapids in and out of boats, jumping off rocks, playing games and telling stories, and the camaraderie among campers and guides along this age old river, will not soon be forgotten.

Bald Eagles Nesting in Grayson County

Photo Credit: Jay Martin

BRDC staff recently visited the site of Grayson county's nesting bald eagles.  The nest site was discovered in 2015 in a somewhat remote section of the New, with a cattle farm on one side and a steep forested slope on the other. Grayson county's large areas of wilderness, combined with the New River and extensive cattle grazing land, provides a viable habitat for the birds.

Their resurgence in Grayson county points directly to a renewal of healthy populations and the success of conservation efforts. “The eagle nest in Grayson County is a welcome sign of the recovery of our Bald Eagle population, nearly lost from the widespread use of DDT decades over 50 years ago.” (Allen Boynton, formerly with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is now employed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.)

The United States national emblem since 1782, the bald eagle was listed as endangered in 1967. This iconic bird was finally delisted in 2007, however, the species is still under protection through the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These acts prohibit the "take, possession, sale, purchase, barter, etc of eagles dead or alive."

This photograph was taken from a distance with a powerful telephoto lens to avoid disturbing the pair and their chicks.

Fries School Investigates the New River

Friday, November 11, 2017, Ms. Blankenship's 7th graders from Fries School joined Blue Ridge Discovery Center's staff & volunteers for a day of Aquatic Adventure. Students rotated between stations set up along the New River, just below the school, and participated in citizen science activities.

The stations focused on different aquatic areas. They studied the macro-invertebrates of the New River and a small creek feeding the river. Water quality testing was completed on both the river and the creek.

All groups collected aquatic insects using seines. In order to do this, two students would hold the seine while two would scrape the substrate and turn over rocks for one minute. The specimens were then taken to a table for separation and identification using a dichotomous key. Water quality testers observed the weather, water flow, turbidity, and temperature of the air and water. They also measured pH, dissolved oxygen, and E. coli. of both the river and creek. 

The New River was full of aquatic insects; most abundant being three different species of damselfly larva. The creek presented the students with a chub, salamander, and over 30 snails! The water quality was found to be similar with the exception of the pH of the river being higher than that of the creek.   

Regardless of the cool temps and wind, students and staff had a great day!

Super Moon Over the New River

A smattering of individuals young and older gathered together to witness the Super Moon rise above the New River Sunday, November 13, 2016. The sky was clear and the winds calm; a perfect setting for the evening. Folks enjoyed tasty morsels and warming drinks by fireside as dusk turned to night and the moon shown brightly above the River. Spotting scopes, telescopes and cameras were set up for viewing and photographing the moon in all its glory. This was the closest the moon has been in 70 years and will be again for another 40. It did not disappoint!

Impromtu Fly Fishing Camp!

At the request of a couple of campers from a previous camp we put together another Fly Fishing Camp to end the summer. Shortened by a day, it became an action packed three day initiation by fire. On the ride to camp we all agreed to treat this as an intensive course rather than the typical shenanigans of a summer camp. The result was one seriously focused group of kids.

We began the camp by squirming into wetsuits to snorkel the cold waters of Fox Creek. Learning to fish from the perspective of a fish can really change the way one approaches the hobby. We all lined up in our super hero outfits and crawled up the creek, imagination immersed in the underwater world. Along the way we observed the reds of big mouth chubs, hog suckers nestled in the substrate, darters in the riffles, and sculpin peaking their heads out between rocks. We saw white suckers, red-eyes, rainbow trout, brown trout and shiners.  The most exciting part was a small shady run below a set of rapids where a variety of species darted about the water currents. Swimming across a deep pool we spooked up two 18" rainbow trout to the excitement of the inner fisherman in us all.  

After some field casting lessons and sustenance we headed to the farm ponds for experience on how to set the hook, land and release the fish. As we got on the water heavy bands of rain crossed over us. Although the kids didn't mind one iota, the fish shut down. Once the rain passed the bluegill and largemouth bass returned as hungry as ever. One massive bass in particular was relentless with bluegill that we retrieved. With the fishing biting, we stayed until the light faded away. Only the promise of s'mores took them off the water. After a brief journaling session the camp went silent for the night. 

The kids awoke at 6:30am and immediately went to the fly tying desk while breakfast sizzled on the grill. With a long day ahead on the river, we needed some fresh ammo for the trip. Everyone tied their best version of a leggy popper designed to be a cross between a dragonfly, frog and a minnow. This big buggy creature is a classic "terrestrial" used for smallmouth on the New River during the heat of summer.

While we ferried the raft trailers downriver the kids got a lesson in casting in moving water. Jane's first cast produced a smallmouth! The pride that she had in catching a fish with a fly she had tied was priceless. Down the river we headed, with the kids learning the ins and outs of casting from a raft, including not casting over the boat, not casting simultaneously and not trying to be Brad Pitt with twenty false casts! The day was hot and the fishing was slow but the fishermen were determined! Ultimately they brought four fish to the boat but missed a dozen more. 

To cool off from the hot day we leaped into the swimming hole, again and again and again until our stomachs growled for dinner. Upon returning to camp out came the headlamps and bobbins to tie flies for the next day's adventure. They learned a streamer pattern, a never sink dry fly and a giant stonefly. 

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The next morning the kids were up knocking on the door of the counselors tent ready to keep tying! After breakfast we had a relay contest to learn the life cycles of three major families of aquatic insects that trout eat: mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. 

With a bit of rain from the previous night Fox Creek was primed for chucking streamers so we headed to the house pool to try our hand at those 18" rainbows. After each kid took a shot, the counselors each tried their hand but all struck out so we moped back to camp and packed away the western style gear. 

After a quick lesson on Tenkara Fly Fishing we packed the cruiser and headed up the mountain to the high elevation plunge pools of Wilson Creek. The kids tied on their never-sink caddis flies and practiced the art of stealth fly fishing. A series of missed strikes, tree snags and tangles ensued before they landed a native southern Appalachian brook trout and a wild rainbow trout! The brookie in its spawning colors was identified as "the most beautiful fish in the world". Their pride soared in the success of their tiny creations as fish after fish mistook it for the real mccoy. Navigating the boulder filled creek proved to be as entertaining as fly casting and the kids took some time to marvel in the unique landscape and continuous white noise of the plunge pools. 

The camp finished with an ice cream sundae bar provided by Charlotte Hanes at the day camp site. After gorging our taste buds we had a little time to spare so we got out the seine and surveyed Saddle Creek for aquatic macroinvertebrates. In the net we saw a fish version of a sundae bar - stoneflies, hellgrammites, caddisflies, mayflies, midges, crayfish and minnows... 

Upon graduation of the beginners course these kids were ready for the intermediate level but they will have to wait till summer to enroll! 

New River Expedition- Summer Fun!

There is no grander journey than pushing off from shore in a boat on a one-way trip to wherever the current carries you! 

On July 14, intrepid explorers from throughout the region did just that. Launching our kayaks and canoes from the King's Creek access along the South Fork of the New River, we began a four day journey down the currents of the New. With the guides paddling the canoes full of gear, the kids were free to explore the river at their own pace. After navigating our first class II rapid we made our way to the forks of the New where the North and South branches meet. With the flow of the river a bit stronger we made quick work of getting to Alleghany Access where we pitched camp for the next two nights. 

We began the second day with fly casting lessons in the field beside camp and took the new found skills to the water where the kids casted poppers towards smallmouth bass to no avail. The group then gathered in the water for some freshwater snorkeling up the river. After lunch and some ultimate frisbee we went on a mushroom foray along the trail and came back with a sack full of chanterelles! With the recent rain and heat we found a seeming endless variety of mushrooms along the path including a number of boletus, old man of the woods, chicken of the woods, and cinnabar chanterelles. Taking a break from the trail the kids searched for salamanders in an adjacent creek and watched a northern water snake eat a large minnow with the tail flapping as it went down. 

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While the chanterelles simmered on the stove, we launched the kayaks for a skills challenge in the deep hole by Big Rock. With a tennis ball as the "bomb" we played "battleship" on the open seas. Boats crisscrossed the river in a furry until the lone survivor was left. After returning to camp and wolfing dinner we alternated between ultimate frisbee and dives into the river. Oreo smores came out for dessert and when night set in we strapped on headlamps and went on an owl prowl in the pines. Needless to say, everyone slept like rocks the second night.

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Anxious to hit the river the crew packed up their gear with efficiency the third day and off we went down the river. After crossing into Virginia the paddlers navigated boulder fields and islands with ease. With their new found confidence they left our mule, Vincent, in their wake! The big challenge of the day came with the portage around Field's Dam where the crew worked together to overcome knee high mud, steep banks and rocks to get all of the gear and boats around the dam safely. 

Downriver we took a short break to marvel at the massive nest made by bald eagles at the head of an island. After some games and a snack, the raft of kayaks made their way with ease to our second camping destination: a series of secluded islands on river bank left. The kayaks shot through a secret passage gated by an overhanging tree and beached on the sands of an island that was all ours. The group studied some butterflies, strung up a laundry line, pitched camp and gathered rocks for a fire circle. After we got all settled, we headed up the creek cut donning snorkeling masks. They found many of the usual suspects, but as we arrived at the main channel up popped Jack with the exclamation that he had found a hellbender! Everyone looked at him skeptically but didn't openly question the assertion because he was clearly carrying something... and sure enough it was a baby hellbender! Initial excitement turned to awe as everyone clamored to get a look. We placed it in the photarium for clear views of its beady eyes, long claws and flattened tail.

Later that night, around the campfire, the pirates of the island had a vote to name the island they had staked as theirs. The results came in with consensus for Hell's Isle, short for Hellbender's Island. The group explored Hell's Isle up and down, finding a massive four trunked sycamore tree and rock outcrops that protected the camp area from floods. 

The last day brought the final camp break down and a slow paddle on a burning hot day that included lots of swimming and a challenging Class II rapids at the end. We finished the expedition with a dip in the "pool" before exiting the river at Cox's Chapel low water bridge and returning to society.

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Blue Ridge Explorers Overnight Camp

Fourteen intrepid explorers joined BRDC for four days and three nights of adventure packed fun during the Blue Ridge Explorers Camp.

Camp began with a Naturalist Journaling lesson to set the tone but then shifted to serious leisure with "Hammocking 101" by Joe Flowers.

Attention quickly turned to the river where we set minnow traps and did some snorkeling with Lisa Benish. 

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The day finished with a little Appalachian heritage lesson and a friendly competition of classic Highland's games. With a little time left after dinner we hiked to the ridge to play games, watch the sunset and catch fireflies.

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That night, the skies cleared and the stars sparkled. We got out the 60x birding scope and studied the moons of jupiter. We could see Jupiter's red lines but we were all stunned at how well we could see the ring around Saturn.

Is it an Osprey or a Bald Eagle?

The second day kicked off with a birding hike where we studied the riparian corridor of the New River. Ultimately the camp observed or heard over thirty species of birds. The most surprising find though was a gnarly male hellgrammite resting in the grass.

Male Adult Dobsonfly (Hellgrammite)

Upon return to camp, Joe Flowers led a basic compass navigation course and tree climbing lesson.

That afternoon we loaded into kayaks and headed for the river! The kids led a 3 hr paddle down the New, seeing a Bald Eagle nest, lighting a spark fire on an island to dry off, and discovering a Mallard nest in the weeds. They also ditched their boats and navigated the rapids on their backs to get some wet time. 

After dinner it was time for some local old time tunes around the campfire! The Yates family band tuned up their instruments along the river and picked the evening away with the kids joining in the chorus! Dessert featured the camp favorite: campfire grilled banana boats!

As night approached, so did massive thunderstorms from West Virginia. The camp battened down the hatches and weathered the worst of it in the vehicles. Half the kids were enthralled by the display of lighting and thunder,  the other half were terrified. They all survived the night and we let them sleep in a bit the second morning.

We began Friday with an exploration of the mixed hardwood forest where we found lots of salamanders. Drew's sharp eyes even spotted a tiny spring peeper on a leaf!

The hot and sunny day called for a swim in the river, but this time we put on life jackets and headed for Field's Dam where they kids leaned into the water gushing over the dam, floated down the rapids and leaped off the rocks. Instead of walking back to camp we floated like a big human raft downriver. At the exit Caroline found a dragonfly that had just hatched out of it's case!

Not having had enough, we packed the cars with a picnic dinner and hit the road to the second highest peak in Virginia: Whitetop Mountain. Hiking down to Buzzard's Rock we studied 1 billion year old Cranberry Gneiss, marveled at the grassland balds, searched for salamanders along the woodland slope, filled up our canteens in a spring, slipped into the fern laden spruce forest and watched the sunset from the most beautiful vista in the east!

Even after a day like that, the kids were not done. When we got back to camp they rolled their sleeping bags out on the grass to watch the stars, then begged to get the scope back out. After studying the usual suspects we turned our sights towards satellites. Reece was able to locate the international space station and two of us got to view it very clearly through the scope!

After a peaceful night's sleep the camp woke to a foggy morning and a Bald Eagle sitting on a snag across the river. After some coal baked apples for breakfast we headed out and Amelia and Caroline led us to some rocky slopes and wetland bottoms for exploration. 

The camp finished up with one last swim in the river and a little bit of fly fishing. At lunch, Joe demonstrated the most traditional form of fire building: friction fire with a bow string. To put a nice cap on a great camp a bald eagle did one final soar over camp to say goodbye and the kids charged up the hill to their parents as full of energy as ever!

Nesting Bald Eagles Discovered along the New River in Grayson County, VA!

You’re out weeding your garden, perhaps hiking the New River Trail, or just driving along any of our country roads when suddenly you spy a raptor overhead, stretched out like a board, a nine and a half pound bird with a wing span of 80 inches, its white head and tail sealing the identification, a graceful marriage of bird and sky. Take another look if you can, and savor the moment. Fortunately for residents of Grayson County, Virginia, this moment is becoming less rare. Many of us have been increasingly rewarded with sightings of these majestic eagles in southwest Virginia as their population continues to rebound from a low in 1971*. But not everyone, or more accurately, almost no one expects to see a bald eagle nest around here.  Yet that is exactly what happened to Ellie and Roald Kirby of Blue Ridge Discovery Center as they paddled down a quiet section of the New River one recent lazy afternoon.

Here is an account from Ellie Kirby: “On May 3rd my husband Roald and I were floating down the New River in a canoe. Roald had brought his fishing rod but he wasn’t doing any serious fishing as we drifted along. It was a still morning, and we had the river to ourselves. As we were enjoying the peaceful serenity of the water and admiring the lush greens of early spring, we saw a bird soaring above the river. At first we thought it might be a vulture, which are so common here, but then we saw its white head and knew it was a bald eagle.  Another eagle came gliding near the first. The pair didn’t fly very high, and soon one of them perched in a hillside tree. As we wondered why they didn’t fly away, we happened to glance at an island on the other side of the river and saw a big nest in the top of a large sycamore tree. Roald said, “I think there’s a bird in the nest…I can see a head!” We floated on down below the tree to get a better view and to our delight, standing there in the nest was a large, all-dark bird that had to be a baby eagle! We back-paddled a little and spent a few moments taking photos, then moved on down the river. We didn’t linger because the parents seemed perturbed at our presence, and we didn’t want to cause any more distress to this eagle family.”

From Virginia Society of Ornithology records research and conversation with wildlife officers, we have concluded that this is the first documented active bald eagle nest in Grayson County for 100 years. We have heard that bald eagles have been nesting below Byllesby and Buck Dams, and though adjacent to Grayson, that section of the New is in Carroll County. In general, the increase in bald eagle sightings in Grayson has concentrated along the New, from Fries to Mouth of Wilson. This resurgence points directly to a renewal of healthy populations and the success of conservation efforts. “The newly-discovered eagle nest in Grayson County is a welcome sign of the recovery of our Bald Eagle population, nearly lost from the widespread use of DDT decades over 50 years ago.” (Allen Boynton, formerly with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is now employed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.)

The nest was discovered in a somewhat remote section of the New, with a cattle farm on one side and a steep forested slope on the other. Grayson contains a considerable amount of wilderness areas, private, state and national. Combine that with extensive cattle grazing lands, and a picture of viable habitat for the bald eagles emerges.

"Every trip outdoors holds an opportunity for discovery, but a trip down the New River always seems to be teeming with wildlife. On this particular trip, Ellie and Roald discovered a successful nesting pair of Bald Eagles! This is a landmark discovery many of us have been looking forward to for years." - Aaron Floyd, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Discovery Center

Without the parents flying around, hardly a soul would think to wonder about the presence of a nest. We are in debt to the Kirbys for their sharp observational skills. Through the hard work of birders and other outdoor enthusiasts, it was only a matter of time for this, the first definitive documentation of an active eagle nest, to come to our attention. 

The nest will be documented through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Center for Conservation Biology. The Virginia Society of Ornithology has also been contacted.

Life history in brief: bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Most people know about the use, and subsequent ban in 1972, of the pesticide DDT in the United States, defined by the EPA as a persistent bioaccumulative. Attention was drawn to this toxin by Rachel Carson in her seminal work, Silent Spring. One dramatic outcome of the buildup of DDT in the food chain is the thinning of bird shells, especially those of fish consumers. The thin shells cannot support the weight of incubating parents. From 1950 until 1971, the bald eagle’s population plummeted along with other bird species such as the osprey and peregrine falcon. Only after DDT was banned, and slowly over the course of 30 years, were populations returning to viable numbers and showing signs of stabilization. 
In Virginia, from 1972 to 1977 the count on breeding bald eagle pairs came to 33, with 32 restricted to the coastal area. In 1986, records show 66 breeding pairs, and by 2001, 330 pairs. There are now over 11,000 nesting pairs in the continental US and the Bald Eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. They still have protection thanks to the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. "Amercian Eagle Day" celebrates this iconic bird on June 20th the day America added the Bald Eagle as the main image in its national emblem in 1782.
“For all the years (1986-2014 - minus 2011 when the Parkway was closed) in which the hawk count has been carried out at Mahogany Rock for the Hawk Migration Association of North America, an average of 14 Bald Eagles a year have passed along or over the Blue Ridge at the Mahogany Rock Overlook at Milepost 235 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. What is particularly significant is the change in yearly count numbers of Bald Eagles over this 28-year count period. For the first ten years of the count the average number of Bald Eagles was only 2.3 with only 0 or 1 eagles passing each year for the first six years. The yearly average for the second ten year period was 8.4. And for the latest 8 years of the count the yearly average was 18. The change in this yearly average demonstrates the dramatic recovery of Bald Eagles from the persecution of pesticides, shooting and habitat loss eagles experienced for most of the 20th century.” - Jim Keighton
(Compiler of the Mahogany Rock Hawk Count for Blue Ridge Birders and the Hawk Migration Association of North America)

In the mountains of Virginia, the bald eagle is labeled as an uncommon transient, winter visitor, rare in summer, more often seen in the fall migration event. According to the Virginia Society of Ornithology’s 4th edition of Virginia Birdlife (S Rottenborn and E Brinkley), recent breeding records have been documented at Lake Moomaw, and Rockbridge and Shenandoah counties. The Center for Conservation Biology has documented Virginia nesting pairs below Claytor Lake, along the New River in Narrows, in Burkes Garden and on the banks of Watagua Lake.
Preferred bald eagle nesting sites are situated near water, especially coastal, marshes, rivers, large lakes and spillways. They build substantial stick nests, lined with finer materials, in a tall tree with a major fork, often in an open area. Bald eagles hold the world record for the largest bird nest, with one in Florida measuring 6.1 meters deep, 2.9 meters wide, and weighing in at 2,722 kg (almost 3 tons)! A single nest can be used for 35 years. They show nest fidelity, adding to it over the course of many years. Adult pairs show similar fidelity, with well recognized long term bonding. 
At one brood/year they lay from 1 to 3 eggs, with 2 being the expected average. Partly because of the asynchronal hatch, the smaller hatchling usually perishes. It takes a full four years for the young to mature into the white head and tail molt. The bald eagle diet mainly consists of fish, but other birds and small mammals will do in a pinch. They are also known to indulge in scavenging carrion and stealing food from other birds, especially the osprey. 

- Scott Jackson-Ricketts

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Sources:
Virginia Birdlife (mentioned above)
Bird Watcher’s Companion, C Leahy
Essential Field Guide Companion, P Dunne
The Birder’s Handbook, P Ehrlich, D Dobkin and D Wheye
http://www.ccbbirds.org/maps/#eagles

Wildflower Walk on the New River Trail

Wildflower Walk on New River Trail

Join us on April 16!

See below for details.

Join us on the New River Trail on Saturday, April 16 at 9 A.M., sponsored by Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Carol

Broderson

and Cecelia Mathis will lead the very easy, flat, five-mile walk. Carol is a Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club volunteer, and she also works with the Trails to Every Classroom program. "What one of us doesn't know about wildflowers, the other one does," Carol says. Cecelia's passion is wildflower photography. She is currently working with two others on a project to identify and photograph the flora and fauna of the Matthews Historical Farm, and she is also a volunteer for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 57-mile New River Trail, the state's most narrow park, is a showcase of early spring wildflowers: spring beauty, violets, trillium,

Dutchmen's

breeches, saxifrage and many others.

Email carol@ls.net or call 276 773-3513 before 7 P.M. to join this spring celebration. Bring lunch, water, raincoat.

Early Signs of Spring in the New River Valley

Bittercress is always the first wildflower by the river bottomland, but the exact species is hard to pin down. Both Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) and hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsute) are small plants with tiny white flowers that bloom when the greens of wild onions are appearing and just before the purple carpet of ground ivy goes wild. Bittercress appears before a more showy mustard family member blankets the hayfields with gold (land cress, Barbarea verna). Spring peepers herald the earlier, white-blooming arrivals, usually the first March evenings after mild days. In many years of informal record keeping, late February is the earliest the amorous males begin calling, but this year the frog song began the second week of March. This past winter we had record-breaking snow and ice cover, for two months even in the lower elevations.

This winter was also unusual with huge ice bergs littering the river side. After a series of river freezes that normally occur when the temperatures dip down into the single digits or lower for a string of days, warm, rainy weather broke up the ice and cast it aside, creating huge ice sculptures on the banks. Most of the ice is gone now in the lower elevations, except for a few north-facing coves. Storm damage was also the worst in many years. Trail crews have been working hard to clear all the blow-downs on the Appalachian Trail, and parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville and Mount Mitchell will be closed until May. None of the trees are leafing out yet, but weeping willow will be the first, soon. A friend reported seeing white hepatica on the Virginia Creeper Trail near Abingdon. Daffodils are blooming and any other earlier bulbs that the deer did not eat. They ate all mine.

Icebergs in Virginia's Blue Ridge?

Here's a glimpse of what is probably a very uncommon wintertime event in Virginia.

Story and photographs from the New River Highlands of SW Virginia:

"We have been watching the ice form for several weeks since the record breaking cold snap... 5 straight days below 20 and then 12'' of very wet snow (in which the moisture ratio equivalent makes it more like 20''). The ice was so thick that A and E walked across with the New River raging under them...

A few days later we had heavy rains and it appears that the water washed over the ice to form layers of clear and blue slabs of ice, some 10' thick. As the run off swelled the river, this powerful force lifted the ice and deposited it on the banks, stripping the bark off all the trees along the river. Heavy equipment was brought in to remove the ice from the road at the Round House [an historic structure

adjacent

to the river]."

"...the old timers say they have never seen this before. "

-

Mike Floyd

Location:

Along the New River in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Photos by Jane and Mike Floyd:

I consider these images to be vessels for time-travel!... a brief glimpse into the distant past, to a time closer to the last ice age, when the New River must have been churning with chunks of ice all through the winter up there in the Blue Ridge. And if you would like to stretch the imagination a bit further, try and imagine Taiga forests (fir, spruce, and birch dominated) covering the landscape behind the

ice blocks

, and a Tundra-capped Mount Rogers area in the distance...with herds of

elk

and

bison

roaming open areas, and

gray wolf

and

cougar

lurking in the shadows.

- devin floyd

More images of the ice phenomenon, taken along a tributary of the New River:

http://henryreed.com/ice/