Dragon Run Inn

Paddle Trips are scheduled every day from Saturday, 7 April through Sunday, 7 May.  You will be accompanied by a leader famliar with the ecology of the area and may see eagles, nesting waterfowl, prothonotary warblers...who knows? 

Kayaks and gear are provided.  If you are not an experienced kayaker, trip leaders will help you learn.  Trips begin near Saluda, VA at 9:00 a.m. and usually last till 1:30 or 2:00.  Bring a picnic to eat on the river.  You may sign up either as an individual or a group.  All participants must be at least 18 years of age.  Trips are free of charge, however they are the major source of fund-raising for the Friends of the Dragon and donations are appreciated.  to make reservations or receive more infomation, contact Marth Graham by email mgr8040@verizon.net.  Trips are limited to 12 participants, so this is the time to get your name on the calendar.  the Dragon Run Inn www.dragonruninn.com is just about six miles from where you will meet for this great paddle trip.  For more information on Friends of the Dragon and the Dragon Run Swamp go to http://www.dragonrun.org/.

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Look for bald eagles at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge located at 336 Wilna Road, Warsaw, VA.  This is one of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  It protects 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the river and its major tributaries.  Archeological and historic sites are abundant.  At least four federally-listed threatened or endangered species may be found, including the American bald eagle, peregrine falcon, shortnose sturgeon and sensitive joint vetch.  Virginia's largest wintering roost for bald eagles is located within the refuge.  Shorebirds, neotropical migrant songbirds, raptors, and marchbirds rely on the  Rappahannock River's corridors during the spring and fall migration periods.  The Refuge hosts three sites on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.  Picture of the eagle was taken by Tina Phillips   http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=503nnock.

For more information on the wildlife refuge check out http://www.fws.gov/northeast/rappahannock/.  Plan a getaway weekend and stay at the Dragon Run Inn in Church View, VA and explore the nature that abounds.

 

Tags: eagle, Rappahannock River

Phil Loftis says "The osprey have arrived and we witnessed a female plunging from her perch in a dead tree that we had positioned the boat under, to a point within 10 feet of us.  She hit the water face down, feet extended, completely submerged then reappeared with a mightly thrust of her wings, fish in talons, climbed slowly for altitude and returned to the very branch she had launched from and began eating........looking down on us as if to say "How'd like that show?"  She was so unpreturbed by our presence that I told my daughter that she must be a trained performer that had espcaped from the circus."

Phil is captain of Urbanna Cruises and would love to take you for a cruise and he is offering a 10% discount coupon on his website, www.UrbannaCruises.com.  Plan a weekend of relaxation at the Dragon Run Inn and reserve a cruise on Urbanna Creek, a great spring treat.  Bring your friends and make it a party.

Tags: osprey

It's Official!  Back in February 2007 there was an article about Dr. Oliver Flint, the caddisfly expert from the Smithsonian Institute who found a new species at Mascot, VA.  The new caddisfly  is called Neotrichia dracacanamalama Harris & Rasmussen - the name means dragon-run swamp.  "Caddisfly, is the common name for certain aquatic insects that resemble small moths.  The wings of caddisflies are covered with small hairs, distinguishing them from the scaled wings typical of moths."   If you'd like to explore the Dragon Run Swamp and explore for yourself we've got the perfect place to stay and enjoy the wonders of nature.

Tags: Entomology