Amphibian/Reptile BioBlitz - May 10th
Calling all lovers of creeping critters, nature, and scientific study! You have the opportunity to assist in a local survey to document the different species of reptiles and amphibians in Dan Daniel Memorial Park and along the Riverwalk. Jason Gibson, past president of the Virginia Herpetological Society and biology instructor at DCC and Galileo Magnet School, will coordinate teams of volunteers for the study. The focus will be on estimating relative abundance, species diversity and examining the health of all animals found. What an exciting project for amateur and experienced naturalists! Co-sponsored by the Virginia Herpetological Society, the Dan River Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and Danville Parks, Recreation & Tourism.
Saturday, May 10, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Dan Daniel Memorial Park – Meet at Picnic Shelter #17
Please pre-register by Monday, May 5 by calling 799-5215 or emailing crossks@ci.danville.va.us to facilitate organization of teams.
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The VHS will explore the 1,000 acres of the Colonial National Historic Park in James City County and York County, for the Annual Survey. Preliminary planning has begun and details will be posted on the VHS website and the Yahoo group. Areas that are being considered for the survey include a former plantation site with no documented herp surveys ever having been conducted. Local hotels will be plentiful and a KOA campground can be used by campers. The state threatened Mabee's salamander has been documented in the area, so there are opportunities for rare species. Abundant cottonmouths can also be seen at the nearby Newport News Park for anyone looking for a side trip.
General: This survey will help identify possible new county records as well as support the Colonial National Historic Park’s wildlife/herpetofauna database which is used towards conservation. Please bring your GPS as the Park would like specific coodinates for specimens found.
Location: Colonial National Historic Park, Yorktown, Virginia.
Date: May 16-18, 2008
Registration: VHS members should RSVP by May 2, 2008 to Tim Christensen (mtnc066@msn.com) or Susan Watson (Susan.Watson@dgif.virginia.gov).
Location:York Hall located at 301 Main Street, Yorktown 23690
Date/Time:May 16, 2008 / 6:00-9:00 PM
Directions to York Hall:
From Hampton/Newport News: Take Route 17 North. Turn right onto Cook Road (there is a 7-11 on the left side). Follow Cook Road to a “T” intersection and turn left onto Ballard Street. York Hall is located on the corner of Ballard and Main Streets. Parking is located behind the building.
From VA Beach/Southside: Take I-64 West. Take Exit 250 for Fort Eustis Blvd Yorktown. Follow Fort Eustis Blvd towards Yorktown. Turn left onto Route 17 North. Turn right onto Cook Road (there is a 7-11 on the left side). Follow Cook Road to a “T” intersection and turn left onto Ballard Street. York Hall is located on the corner of Ballard and Main Streets. Parking is located behind the building.
Richmond/Points west: Take I-64 East to Exit 250 for Fort Eustis Blvd Yorktown. Follow Fort Eustis Blvd towards Yorktown. Turn left onto Route 17 North. Turn right onto Cook Road (there is a 7-11 on the left side). Follow Cook Road to a “T” intersection and turn left onto Ballard Street. York Hall is located on the corner of Ballard and Main Streets. Parking is located behind the building.
Location: Colonial National Historic Park
Date/Time: May 17, 2008 / 8:00 AM-4:00 PM and May 18, 2008 / 8:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Herps of James City and York Counties.pdf
Participants should plan for a fair amount walking and all sites will have a variety of habitats - upland forest, ravines, streams, ponds and open fields. Bring appropriate footwear. Also be prepared for the weather. Sunscreen is highly recommended. Ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes will be out enforce. Be sure to bring appropriate bug repellent.
** Camping is not available at Colonial National Historic Park.
Camping:
Primary Camp Site:
Newport News Park - http://www.nnparks.com/parks_nn.php
13564 Jefferson Avenue, I-64 Exit 250B
(757) 886-7912 or 1-800-203-8322
When making reservations state that you with the VHS.
(Vinnie has promised no fewer than a "gazillion" herps at this location.)
Secondary Camp Site:
KOA Kampgrounds
4000 Newman Road
Williamsburg, VA
757-565-2907
Motels:
Duke of York - Nearest motel. Approximately 15 minutes from survey location.
508 Water Street
Yorktown, VA 23690
(757) 898-3232
Courtyard By Marriott
105 Cybernetics Way
Yorktown, VA 23693
757-874-9000
Days Inn
4531 George Washington Memorial Highway
Yorktown, VA 23692
757-238-1111
Candlewood Suites
329 Commonwealth Drive
Yorktown, VA 23693
Yorktown Motor Lodge
8829 George Washington Memorial Highway
Yorktown, VA 23692
757-898-5451
800-950-4003
Gloucester Inn Motel
1408 George Washington Memorial Highway
Gloucester Point, VA
804-642-3337
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RESOURCE RAMBLE II - BLUE RIDGE SCOUT RESERVATION - June 13th - 15th
We will be participating in the Resource Ramble II on June 13 - 15th at the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Pulaski County. We will be surveying Camp Powhatan this year. Primitive camping and meals will be provided by the boy scout camp. Pre-registration is required. Registration forms are available in both MS-Word format and Adobe PDF format: Participant Registration Form.doc or Participant Registration Form.pdf
For any questions regarding this survey contact Jason Gibson (frogman31@gmail.com) or Bill Shiner (williamshiner@earthlink.net).
Schedule of Activities
FRIDAY, JUNE 13 |
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SATURDAY, JUNE 14 |
| SUNDAY, JUNE 15 8:00 AM BREAKFAST FOR THOSE STAYING OVER SATURDAY EVENING -- DINING HALL |
WHAT TO BRING:
LUNCH FOR SATURDAY
BOOTS AND FIELD CLOTHES
RAIN GEAR
JACKET
WATER BOTTLE OR CANTEEN
GEAR NEEDED FOR INVENTORY ACTIVITIES
FLASHLIGHT
IF STAYING OVERNIGHT: SLEEPING BAG/BEDROLL/BLANKETS AND PERSONAL GEAR.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP POWHATAN
FROM THE NORTH:
TAKE I-81 SOUTH TO EXIT 94 (TAKE SECOND EXIT) TO ROUTE 100 (ABOUT 1/10 MILE). TAKE A LEFT ON ROUTE 100 FOR ABOUT ¼ MILE AND TURN LEFT ONTO ROUTE 672 (LOWMAN’S FERRY ROAD). FOLLOW 672 ACROSS THE CLAYTOR LAKE BRIDGE TO ROUTE 693. TAKE A RIGHT ON 693 (LEAD MINES ROAD) , FOLLOW IT OVER THE RIDGE AND TAKE A LEFT JUST AFTER CROSSING THE BRIDGE OVER MAX CREEK. FOLLOW THE ROAD ALONG MAX CREEK INTO CAMP POWHATAN (THE ROAD TAKES A SHARP RIGHT HAND TURN BACK ACROSS MAX CREEK JUST AFTER YOU PASS THE RESERVATION MAINTENANCE BUILDING –YOU WILL SEE THE OLD IRON FURNACE AFTER YOU TURN TO CROSS THE CREEK).
FOLLOW THE ROAD INTO THE CAMP PROPER AND PARK IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE LEFT ON THE TOP OF THE HILL. THE NATURE CENTER IS LOCATED ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM THE PARKING AREA, ON THE HILL BEHIND AND TO THE LEFT OF THE DINING HALL (FOLLOW THE MAIN ROAD INTO THE CAMP PROPER AND TAKE THE LEFT FORK AROUND THE ACTIVITY FIELD – THE NATURE CENTER IS THE SECOND BUILDING ON THE LEFT).
FROM THE SOUTH:
TAKE I-81 NORTH TO EXIT 94 (TAKE FIRST EXIT) TO ROUTE 100. TURN LEFT ON ROUTE 100 TO ROUTE 672 (LOWMAN’S FERRY ROAD) (ABOUT ¾ MILE). TURN RIGHT ON 672 AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AS GIVEN ABOVE IN “FROM THE NORTH”.
NOTE: SIGNS ARE POSTED TO GUIDE YOU FROM I-81 TO THE CAMP. SIGNS WILL ALSO BE POSTED WITHIN CAMP POWHATAN DIRECTING YOU TO THE PARKING AREA AND NATURE CENTER.
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Announcement for the Third Annual HerpBlitz - June 27th - June 29th
This year's HerpBlitz will be held at Grayson Highlands State Park. This park is located in Southwestern Virginia, just east of Mount Rogers. The HerpBlitz event is similar to the VHS annual survey but we don't have a business meeting. The whole time will be spent looking for reptiles and amphibians. The survey will begin on Friday June 27 and end on Sunday June 29. Sunday is usually only until noon. The main survey day will be on Saturday June 28. This is the day that most people come. Camping is available at the park. Make reservations early. If you have questions about this survey please contact Jason Gibson (frogman31@gmail.com). If you know you are coming, please RSVP by emailing Jason Gibson. It is important to RSVP so that there can be better coordination of participants. All future information and updates about this survey will be posted on this page. The state park has granted us free parking passes during the survey weekend. Just tell the park people who you are and what you are doing and they will issue you a free parking pass. We will meet at the picnic area around the Wayne Henderson performance stage Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. to begin the survey.
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