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Trip Facts

Parking Location:Upper Parking area off Reservoir Road - pass by the Lower Parking lot, which is located just before the road veers right towards the dam
Parking Availability : 20 slots. Additional parking in the Lower Parking lot, with a connecting trail to the main trail.
Fee: None
Hours: 7 AM to Sunset
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 3 bars
Month Recorded: May

Given the rough terrain and steep slopes, this hike is rated difficult. Nevertheless, a trip to Ragged Mountain can be richly rewarding. This area has one the most diverse set of natural habitats to be found in Central Virginia, including several natural communities that are rare in our area. If you have an interest in exploring nature, you are certain to find many plants and animals to delight you. The City of Charlottesville and its partners have also made it easy to discover and learn about these natural treasures through an interactive map of the preserve. This map outlines the natural communities that exist in the area and the wildlife characteristic of those communities. You can access this site (both at home and while on the trail) at this link:
https://centerforurbanhabitats.com/rmnawebmapintro/

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This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond

To learn more about this site, click the link below:
http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/parks-recreation/parks-trails/city-parks/ragged-mountain

Trailhead

The trail starts at the back of the Upper Parking lot.

Rue-anemone

Rue-anemone is abundant along the trail in spring.

Common Name: Rue-Anemone
Scientific Name: Thalictrum thalictroides
Blooming Time: Mar-May

Rue-anemone is one of many showy wildflowers that develop in deciduous woodlands during the spring. Both the flowers and foliage are quite attractive. Because the flowers move around easily in the wind, it is sometimes called 'Windflower.' Habitats include mesic to dry deciduous woodlands, wooded slopes, and thinly wooded bluffs. This native wildflower is usually found in above-average to high quality woodlands where the original ground flora is largely intact. The flowers offer only pollen as a reward to insect visitors. Typical floral visitors include various bees, Syrphid flies, and bee flies; the bees usually collect pollen, while the flies feed on pollen. Some of these insects explore the showy flowers for nectar in vain.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=THTH2
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) © John Hilty • Source: Illinois Wildflowers
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Thalictrum thalictroides © Matt Flower ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) , Unmodified

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanagers can be heard (and sometimes seen) throughout the natural area.

Scarlet Tanager

A medium-sized (7 inches) songbird, the male Scarlet Tanager is most easily identified by its bright red body, black wings, and black tail. Female Scarlet Tanagers are green above and dull yellow below with dark wings. Males of this species may be separated from male Summer Tanagers (Piranga rubra) by that species’ red wings and tail and from male Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) by that species’ black face and conspicuous crest, while females may be separated from female Summer Tanagers by that species’ paler back and darker breast. Scarlet Tanagers breed in a number of mature forest types, preferring larger areas of unbroken forest to smaller, more fragmented habitats. Scarlet Tanagers primarily eat insects and spiders during the breeding season, but may eat fruits, berries, and earthworms at other times of the year or when insects are scarce. In appropriate habitat, Scarlet Tanagers may be seen foraging for insects on leaves and branches in the tree canopy, in undergrowth, or, more rarely, directly on the ground.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Scarlet_Tanager/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
© Smithsonian Institution Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Piranga olivacea
© Scott Buckel ,translation missing: en.license_cc_by_nc_4_0 ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Mountain Man Statue - Veer Left

Follow the "Trail" sign just beyond the statue.

The Lake Edge - Turn Right

If you like, you can follow the small trail in the picture to the end of this peninsula. What we did instead was to turn right in a short distance to follow a faint path back into the woods. Look for the turtle bench.

Turtle Bench

Head into the woods on the trail beside the turtle bench.

Bear Statue - Head Left

　　　　　　　　　　

Palm Warbler

Palm Warblers are only seen at Ragged Mountain during migration. The middle of April to early May is the best time.

Common Name: Palm Warbler

A medium-sized (4 ½ -5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the Palm Warbler in summer is most easily identified by its dark brown back, streaked flanks, and conspicuous rusty crown.. Male and female Palm Warblers are similar in all seasons, becoming duller and browner in winter. The Palm Warbler primarily breeds across east-central Canada. Palm Warblers breed in a variety of dense evergreen habitats, and is particularly attracted to bogs. Palm Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, although this species may eat some plant material, particularly fruits and berries, during the winter. In appropriate habitat, Palm Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on the ground or in low branches of shrubs and trees. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a high “zhe” note repeated several times in succession.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Palm_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: DC Birds, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Palm Warbler I © Greg Miller , Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Deerberry

Common Name: Deerberry
Scientific Name: Vaccinium stamineum

Vaccinium stamineum, commonly known as deerberry, tall deerberry, squaw huckleberry, highbush huckleberry, buckberry, and southern gooseberry, is a species of flowering plant in the heath family, Ericaceae. It is a shrub usually growing up to 5 feet tall, but reaching up to 9 feet at times. It has multiple twisted trunks covered in peeling reddish bark and is highly branched, tapering into thin twigs. This plant usually grows in dry, rocky habitat types in forests and fields. Because most of the mass of the plant is underground, it easily survives fire and the aboveground parts grow back.
The fruits are an important food source for many kinds of wildlife. They are eagerly consumed by deer along with the twigs and foliage, the inspiration for the common names deerberry and buckberry. Smaller animals gather fallen fruits from the ground. They are food for many songbirds, Ruffed Grouse, Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, foxes, raccoons, black bears, chipmunks, and squirrels. The plant is pollinated by bees. Bees dislodge, accumulate, and disperse pollen with buzz pollination while foraging nectar from the bell-shaped flowers. The fruit is edible for humans, and the taste has been described as tart, sour, bitter, or "sweet-spicy tasting, a little reminiscent of lady's perfume". It has long been collected in the southern United States for preserves and pie filling.

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To see a photo gallery, go here:
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=584
To find out more about this shrub, visit this site:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VAST
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia, cc logo Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo – Flickr.com, James Gaither, Vaccinium stamineum #1 , Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) , Unmodified
Photo Gallery - © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, et al

Fire Pink

Common Name: Fire Pink
Scientific Name: Silene virginica
Blooming Time: Mar-Aug

Fire pink (Silene virginica) is a wildflower in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. It is known for its distinct brilliant red flowers. The short sticky hairs on the stem catch and trap small Insects, such as ants and flies. This discourages non-pollinating insects from drinking the nectar. Fire pink grows in open woods and rocky deciduous slopes in eastern North America. Fire pink's principal pollinator is the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), which is attracted by the flower’s bright red petals and sugary nectar. Seed pods contain up to six seeds which are food for a variety of birds, including juncos and sparrows, which aid in the distribution of the plant. In the past, herb doctors used it as a worm medicine and made a tonic to soothe nervous anxiety.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sivi4
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia, Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, flickr.com, Jason Hollinger, Fire Pinks , Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) , Unmodified

Eagle Statue

　　　　　　　　　　

Showy Orchis

Common Name: Showy Orchis
Scientific Name: Galearis spectabilis
Blooming Time: Apr-May

The genus name, Galearis, is derived from the Latin word, galea, which means helmet. It refers to the two pink to purple upper petals which form a hood over the flower. The specific epithet, spectabilis, is from the Latin for remarkable, admirable or showy. Pollination of the flower is conducted by long tongued Bombus, other bees, butterflies and moths. Besides its alluring colors, G. spectabilis flowers also provide pollinators a nectar reward which collects at the base of the spur. G. spectabilis is typically found on hillsides which may be rocky, damp and near seeps growing under a canopy of deciduous trees in half to deep shade. Interestingly, plants have also been reported to be found thriving living just above a floodplain, again under a deciduous canopy. They tend to prefer base-rich soils. Plants are rarely seen in full sun.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GASP5
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0) • Source: Wikipedia
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Galearis spectabilis © 2009 Barry Rice , Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0), Unmodified

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warbler is another springtime visitor.

Common Name: Magnolia Warbler

A medium-sized (4 ¾ inches) wood warbler, the male Magnolia Warbler is most easily identified by its dark gray back, streaked flanks, white wing patches, and bright yellow underparts with a conspicuous black face mask. Female Magnolia Warblers are similar to males, but are slightly duller and lack the white on the wings. Both sexes resemble the male Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), but that species is less streaked below and lacks the Magnolia Warbler’s extensive yellow on the breast. The Magnolia Warbler breeds across southern Canada and the northeastern United States. This species is also present at higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains as far south as Tennessee. Magnolia Warblers breed in a variety of dense woodland habitats, particularly those largely composed of evergreen trees. Magnolia Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders. In appropriate habitat, Magnolia Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on the ends of branches in the middle of the tree canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a whistled “weeta weeta weetsee.”

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Magnolia_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: Robert Costello, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Setophaga magnolia © Greg Lasley , Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Black-Throated Green Warbler

Here's another spring migrant.

Common Name: Black-Throated Green Warbler

A small (4 ½ -5 inches) wood warbler, the male Black-throated Green Warbler is most easily identified by its olive back, black breast and throat, and yellow face. Female Black-throated Green Warblers are similar to males, but are duller and lack much of the black on the breast and throat. The male is relatively unmistakable in good light, while the female may be distinguished from other greenish-yellow female wood warblers by its tell-tale combination of yellow face and olive back. The Black-throated Green Warbler primarily breeds in south-central Canada and the northeastern United States. Smaller numbers breed at higher elevations in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains as far south as Alabama and Arkansas. Black-throated Green Warblers breed in a number of woodland habitat types, particularly those primarily composed of evergreen trees. Black-Throated Green Warblers mainly eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, although this species may eat fruits or berries in winter. In appropriate habitat, Black-throated Green Warblers may be observed foraging for food located on leaves, needles, and branches in the forest canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a buzzing “zoo zee” repeated several times in succession.


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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Green_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: Robert Costello, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, File:BlackthroatedGreenWarbler08.jpg John Harrison at http://flickr.com/photos/15512543@N04/ , Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Perfoliate Bellwort

Common Name: Perfoliate Bellwort
Scientific Name: Uvularia Perfoliata
Blooming Time: Apr-May

The flower stems of Uvularia perfoliata appear to arise from the center of the leaves, appearing to pierce them. The interior surface of the flowers is roughened with small glands. In Virginia, it grows in habitats such as floodplain forests, but also mesic upland forests, and dry rocky woodlands. The presence of this species is dependent on appropriate habitat, and it may be eliminated from an area by development, changes in land use, or competition with invasive species. The Iroquois used an infusion of the roots as a cough medicine as well as for washing sore eyes.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=UVPE
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life,
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, jocelyndale Perfoliate bellwort , Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) , Unmodified

Cross the Lake on a Floating Bridge

　　　　　　　　　　

Wild Geranium

Common Name: Wild Geranium
Scientific Name: Geranium Maculatum
Blooming Time: Apr-Jun

Geraniums are known for their 5- to 6-parted, deeply cut leaves. Habitats include both floodplain and upland woodlands, savannas, meadows in wooded areas, semi-shaded seeps, and rocky glades. Wild Geranium is a typical species of mesic deciduous woodlands. The plant has been used in herbal medicine, and is also grown as a garden plant. Wild Geranium is considered an astringent, a substance that causes contraction of the tissues and stops bleeding. The Mesquakie Indians brewed a root tea for toothache and for painful nerves and mashed the roots for treating hemorrhoids. White-tailed deer eat the flowers of wild geranium. Birds eat the maturing fruits, and Lepidopteran larvae have been observed feeding on the flowers and fruits.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GEMA
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0) • Source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) © John Hilty • Source: Illinois Wildflowers
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Geranium maculatum,Jennifer Anderson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, Public Domain, Unmodified

View from the Dam

　　　　　　　　　　

Trail Facts

Parking Location: Parking lot near the Visitor Center and the Citie of Henricus
Parking Availability : About 100 slots
Fee: None
Hours: 8 AM to Dusk
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 3 bars
Month Recorded: March

While the land lies near the power plant and Interstate 95, both of which create some noise on parts of the trip, the abundance of wildlife and scenic views more than compensates for this inconvenience. In the center of the conservation area is a lagoon. This area originally was mined for sand and gravel. The mining companies cut a channel to the James River so that barges could be used to transport the sand and gravel. The river eventually flooded the area, creating a lagoon. The remains of the barges can still be seen in the lagoon.

Just on the other side of the lagoon is an old channel of the river. During the Civil War, Union forces created a canel that cut off an oxbow loop of the river, so that they could avoid Confederate batteries on that part of the river. This canal was later enlarged, and is now the main channel of the river, leaving the oxbow as a seldom used part of the James.

On your way into the conservation area, you will pass by two overlooks for a marshy area (see waypoints). This marshy area is a favorite place for water birds, particularly in fall and winter.

To find the trailhead, walk along the right edge of the building next to the Visitors Center.

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This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60+hikes+richmond

To learn more about the park, click the link below:
https://www.chesterfield.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Dutch-Gap-Conservation-Area-and-Boat-Lan-90

Eastern Bluebird

NATURE FIND

Eastern bluebirds can often be seen on the fence on the right side of the trail. A small (7 inches) thrush, the male Eastern Bluebird is most easily identified by its deep blue head and back, red breast, and white belly. Female Eastern Bluebirds are similar to males, but are a duller gray-blue on the head and back. Eastern bluebirds prefer open land with scattered trees for perching, nesting, and feeding. They are often seen in parks, gardens, hedges, and other areas that provide perches. They are also commonly found sitting on fences and utility wires. Eastern Bluebirds primarily eat fruits, berries, and small invertebrates. In appropriate habitat, Eastern Bluebirds may be observed flying down to the ground from perches in pursuit of prey.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Unknown Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, bluebird1 © Lothiriel01, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 (CC BY-NC 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

NATURE FIND
Yellow-Rumped Warblers are unusual in that they migrate in winter from Canada and the northeast US to Virginia and other southern states.

In fall and winter, these warblers favor open woods and shrubby habitats, including coastal vegetation, parks, and residential areas .In winter they spend lots of time eating berries from shrubs, and they often travel in large flocks. In summer, both sexes are a smart gray with flashes of white in the wings and yellow on the face, sides, and rump. Males are very strikingly shaded; females are duller and may show some brown. Winter birds are paler brown, with bright yellow rump and usually some yellow on the sides.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-rumped_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, ,Image of Setophaga coronata coronata © James Shelton, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Tree Bench

Take a rest on this tree bench.

PIne Warbler

NATURE FIND

Pine warblers are year-round residents at Dutch Gap. The pines lining the trail in various places are frequently habited by these warblers. A medium-sized (5-5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the male Pine Warbler is most easily identified by its olive-green back, yellow breast, and dark wings with conspicuous white wing bars. Appropriately, Pine Warblers primarily breed in pine forests. Pine Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, although this species may eat some plant material, particularly fruits and berries, during the winter. In appropriate habitat, Pine Warblers may be observed foraging for food on pine needles and in bark crevices.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Unknown • Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,File:Dendroica pinus.jpg Ken Thomas ,Public Domain ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Osprey Nest

NATURE FIND

Look up to see the osprey nest at the top of a telephone pole. Ospreys enjoy good fishing opportunities in the lagoon.

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a fish-eating hawk found along coastlines and around marshes, lakes, and rivers almost worldwide. Ospreys are often seen flying over water searching for prey, then hovering and plunging feet first to capture a fish in their talons (fish are normally carried head first and belly down). Bald Eagles may sometimes chase them and force them to drop their catch. The Osprey's diet consists almost entirely of fish, generally in the range of 10 to 30 cm in length. Rarely, small mammals, birds, or reptiles may be eaten.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0) © Leo Shapiro Supplier: Leo Shapiro
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,File:OspreyNASA.jpg NASA ,Public Domain ,Unmodified
Sounds - Encyclopedia of Life,File:Pandion haliaetus.ogg Unk ,Public Domain, Unmodified

Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

The Graveyard

If you have binoculars or a high-zoom camera, you will be able to get a clear view of the Graveyard from this point. The Graveyard is another site of abandoned barges that have been reclaimed by nature. With magnification, the smoke stack of one of the barges is clearly visible. You will get a closer view of these barges once you reach the other side of the lagoon.

Spicebush

NATURE FIND
Scientic Name: Lindera benzoin
Blooming Time: Mar-Apr

Spicebush is a medium-sized deciduous shrub growing to 5 m tall, typically found only in the understory of moist thickets. The leaves are very aromatic when crushed, hence the common names and the specific epithet benzoin. The flowers grow in showy yellow clusters that appear in early spring, before the leaves begin to grow. The fruit is a berrylike red drupe, rich in lipid, about 1 cm long and is highly prized by birds. It has a "turpentine-like" taste and aromatic scent, and contains a large seed. Spicebush is dioecious (plants are either male or female), so that both sexes are needed in the garden if one wants berries with viable seed. The leaves, buds, and new growth twigs can also be made into a tea. Spicebush is a favorite food plant of two lepidopterous insects: the spicebush swallowtail Papilio troilus, and the promethea silkmoth, Callosamia promethea.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LIBE3
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Wikipedia
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Lindera benzoin © Suzanne Cadwell ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified

Red Maple

NATURE FIND
Scientific Name: Acer rubrum

Red maples are among the first trees to bloom in spring. With warm weather in early March, a few maples are beginning to flower. The red maple has the greatest north-south distribution of all East Coast trees occurring from Canada to Florida. It is adaptable to swamps and hillsides with both wet and dry conditions. Maples are reported to support almost 300 butterfly and moth species.

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To see a photo gallery, go here:
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=1

To find out more about this tree, visit this site:
https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/acer/rubrum.htm
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - "Big Woods Tree Trail Walk", Virginia Master Naturalist, Virginia State Parks
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Acer rubrum (Aceraceae) - inflorescence - whole - male
© Steven J. Baskauf, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) ,Unmodified
Photo Gallery - © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, et al
More Text - United States Department of Agriculture,Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 654,Russell S. Walters and Harry W. Yawney

Trip Facts

Parking Location: Just off Route 33 near its intersection with Interstate 64
Parking Availability : 25 or so slots
Fee: None
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 4 bars
Month Recorded: April

This hike takes you through a little slice of heaven in Central Virginia. The preserve has an amazing collection of flora and fauna. If you come during spring, you will be treated to an especially rich display of wildflowers and ferns, while also enjoying the sight and sounds of warblers and other birds on their spring migration journey. The hike also takes you past the former site of a church from the 1700's, and the grave sites of two notables from the same time period.

The trail system can be confusing, since there are many interconnecting paths. At various points, however, you will come upon trail map signs and have the opportunity to pick up a paper trail map. Pay close attention to the track shown for this hike and the directions offered in this trip. You can also shorten the hike if you want by using the connecting paths.

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This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond

To learn more about this site, click the link below:
http://www.richmondoutside.com/2013/07/wahrani-a-feast-for-nature-lovers/

Trailhead

From the parking lot, head down the trail between the playground and picnic shelter areas.

Trail Sign

Take a look at the trail map and pick up a paper trail map. From here, turn right and head down the Yellow trail.

Nature Trail Markers

You will find a few markers on the first part of the trail describing a few of the trees you will encounter along the way.

Bear Left

Here, the main trail bears right. Head left instead - we will take a short cut to the upper part of the trail.

Pennywort

Common Name: Pennywort
Scientific Name: Obolaria virginica
Blooming Time: Mar-May

A low fleshy plant with dull white or purplish flowers, usually in groups of 3 in axils of purplish, bract-like upper leaves and atop stem. The genus name comes from the Greek obolos (a small coin) and refers to the opposite, roundish leaves of this low, southern, woodland perennial. The common name also reflects the coin-like appearance of the leaves. It is believed to be mycoheterotrophic, getting much of its nutrients though a symbiotic relationship with fungi, instead of through its small purplish-green leaves. Native Americans used this plant to treat colds and as a wash for cuts and bruises. It grows in upland forests.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OBVI
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text –Native Plant Information Network, NPIN (2013). Published on the Internet http://www.wildflower.org/plants/ Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Obolaria virginica © pinemountain , Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) , Unmodified

Black Oak

Common Name: Black Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus velutina

Look for a low sign for a Black Oak. A common oak, native to eastern North America. Its leaves are a shiny green and have 5 to 7 spiny lobes. Acorns are small and have deep, bowl-like scaly tops. The inner bark is a bright yellow and was once used as a yellow dye. Please do not damage the tree by slashing into the bark to see the yellow wood. Good crops of acorns provide wildlife with food. The wood, commercially valuable for furniture and flooring, is sold as red oak.

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To see a photo gallery, go here:
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=39

To find out more about this tree, visit this site:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/Spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/quercus/velutina.htm
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - "Big Woods Tree Trail Walk", Virginia Master Naturalist, Virginia State Parks
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Black Oak Leaves© sandy richard ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 2.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) ,Unmodified
Photo Gallery - © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, et al
More Text - United States Department of Agriculture,Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 654,Ivan L. Sander

Golden Ragwort

Common Name: Golden Ragwort
Scientific Name: Packera aurea
Blooming Time: Mar-Jun

Here and elsewhere, look for clumps of Golden Ragwort. Golden Ragwort is a carefree plant which prefers full sun to light shade in wet to moist soils with ample organic matter to retain moisture. Plants grown in full sun require more moisture than plants growing in shade. It often forms colonies of plants in favorable habitats. Habitats include wet deciduous woods, meadows, banks of rivers, streams and lakes, slopes of rocky ravines, and roadsides. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract small bees and flies primarily. Among the bees are such visitors as Little Carpenter bees, Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.), and various Halictid bees. Among the flies are such visitors as Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, and miscellaneous others. The root and leaf are used in teas by the Cherokee Indians for heart trouble, and to prevent pregnancy. Other Native Americans used it to regulate menses, to aid childbirth, treat urinary problems and to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PAAU3
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, MD
• Source: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Public Domain

Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Packera aurea © Fluff Berger , Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0) Unmodified

Top of the Hill

This is a bit of climb to get to the top of the ridge.

Black-and-White Warbler

Black-and-White Warbler

Listen and look for birds all along this ridge top. A medium-sized (4 ½ - 5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the Black-and-white Warbler is most easily identified by its black-and-white striped body, streaked flanks, and thin black bill. The Black-and-white Warbler breeds across much of the eastern United States and southern Canada, absent only from parts of the southeast and Midwest. Black-and-white Warblers breed in a variety of deciduous or mixed deciduous and evergreen forest habitats, with a preference for mature forests. Black-and-white Warblers eat small invertebrates, primarily insects (including caterpillars) and spiders. Unusually for a wood warbler, the Black-and-white Warbler feeds by picking prey out of crevices in bark while climbing up the sides of tree trunks and large branches.

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https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, © Unknown • Supplier: DC Birds, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,B&W Warbler© Greg Miller ,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 (CC BY-NC 2.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Sensitive Fern

Common Name: Sensitive Fern
Scientific Name: Onoclea sensibilis
Blooming Time: May-Jun

There are many different types of ferns in the preserve. One you may find near here is the Sensitive Fern. Onoclea sensibilis, the sensitive fern, also known as the bead fern, is a coarse-textured, medium to large-sized deciduous perennial fern. The name comes from the observation by early American settlers that it was very sensitive to frost, the fronds dying quickly when first touched by it. O. sensibilis dwells in a variety of wet swamp and wood habitats: wet meadows, thickets and bogs, as well as stream and riverbanks and roadside ditches.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Source: Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Image of Onoclea sensibilis Supplier: Biopix , Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0), Unmodified

Intertwining Trunks

You will find many large trees here, including a fair number of beech trees.

Powerlines

Check the edges of this opening for birds.

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

A medium-sized (7-8 ½ inches) songbird, the male Eastern Towhee is most easily identified by its black head and body, black breast, pale belly, and rufous flanks. Female Eastern Towhees are similar but paler, with the black replaced by brown. Most individuals have red eyes, although birds from Florida and Georgia tend to have white eyes instead. The Eastern Towhee breeds across much of the eastern United States and southern Canada west to Nebraska and Saskatchewan. In winter, many northern birds move south to the southern part of this species’ range as well as east Texas, Oklahoma, and southern Louisiana, where this species does not breed. Southern birds generally migrate short distances, if at all. Eastern Towhees breed in a variety of woodland habitats, particularly in heavily-vegetated undergrowth near forest edges or clearings. This species utilizes similar habitats in summer as in winter. Eastern Towhees mainly eat a variety of plant and animal foods, including fruits, berries, and insects. In appropriate habitat, Eastern Towhees may be seen foraging for food on the ground or, less frequently, in the canopy. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a trilled “drink-your-teeeeee” or “towhee towheeeee,” from which this species derives its name.

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Text – Encyclopedia of Life,
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Pipilo erythrophthalmus © crgillette , translation missing: en.license_cc_by_nc_4_0 ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

The Cemetery

Here you can see the gravestones for Captain Long and Dr Arnott, who died in the early 1700's. There is also a sign board here that helps you decipher the gravestones. This is the site of the Wahrani church - all that remains are the gravestones.

Spring Beauty

Common Name: Spring Beauty
Scientific Name: Claytonia virginica
Blooming Time: Mar-May

If you come in early spring, this whole creek valley will be carpeted with Spring Beauties. Spring Beauty is a unique member of the Purslane family that is easy to distinguish from other wildflowers. Look for pink-stripes, whether pale or bright, on the petals of the flowers, and only 2 sepals underneath. Spring beauty is found in the Eastern temperate deciduous forest of North America. It is noted for its abundance throughout many parts of its range, especially in forests. The plant can be found throughout many different habitat types including lawns, city parks, forests, roadsides, wetlands, bluffs, and ravines.

This plant has been used medicinally by the Iroquois, who would give a cold infusion or decoction of the powdered roots to children suffering from convulsions. They would also eat the raw roots, believing that they permanently prevented conception. They would also eat the roots as food, as would the Algonquin people, who cooked them like potatoes. Spring beauty corms along with the entire above ground portion of the plant are safe for human consumption.


DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Source: Wikipedia, Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Claytonia virginica © Kenneth Bader , Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) , Unmodified

American Redstart

American Redstart

A medium-sized (5 inches) wood warbler, the male American Redstart is most easily identified by its black body, white belly, and conspicuous orange patches on the wings, flanks, and tail. Female American Redstarts are olive-green above and pale below with yellow on the wings, flanks, and tail. In particular, this species’ tail sets it apart from all other North American wood warblers as no other species has such large, brightly-colored tail patches. The American Redstart breeds across southern Canada and much of the United States. American Redstarts breed in a number of deciduous forest habitats, particularly those near water. American Redstarts primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders. In appropriate habitat, American Redstarts may be observed foraging for food in the forest canopy, where their habit of frequently flashing their bright tails makes them more conspicuous than they might otherwise be. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a high “tsee” repeated three or four times in quick succession.

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Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Smithsonian Institution Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Setophaga ruticilla © Scott Buckel, translation missing: en.license_cc_by_nc_4_0 ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Trip Facts

Parking Location:First lot on right on entrance road.
Parking Availability : 20 or so cars - additional parking available along the route - see park map
Fee: $4 (waived with a hunting or fishing license)
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Verizon INTERNET Coverage: 1 bar
Month Recorded: August

Most of our hike travels through open fields, interspersed with forested shady areas. It would be best to come on cooler or cloudy days to avoid the sun and heat. Amelia WMA is well-known to bird watchers and is frequently cited as one of the best places in Central Virginia to see birds and other wildlife. Spring time can be especially rewarding for birders. Regardless of your interests, the combination of fields, forests, lakes, streams, and ponds provides diverse habitats for nature lovers. Note that the trail passes by 2 shooting ranges that can be quite noisy when they are open from September to March - see the waypoint.

CAUTION: Note that hunting is allowed at certain times at Amelia WMA, and hikers should avoid the area at those times. Check the Web site below for hunting schedules. Your best bet is Sundays in any month, since no hunting is allowed on Sundays.

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This hike is described in the 60 Hikes book - here is an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Hikes-Within-Miles-Williamsburg-Fredericksburg/dp/089732708X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428101620&sr=8-1&keywords=60HikesRichmond

To learn more about this site, click the link below:
https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wma/amelia/

Trailhead

From the parking lot, turn right down this gravel road. Note that the road is closed to vehicular traffic even when the gate is open.

Common Yellowthroat

Common Name: Common Yellowthroat

The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a common breeding bird across most of North America, from Canada south through Mexico, with a winter range extending from the southern United States to northern South America. Common Yellowthroats tend to stay low in grassy fields, thickets, and marshes. They breed most abundantly in marshes (especially cattails) and other very wet habitats with low, dense growth. During migration and in winter they are less closely associated with marshes and may occur in any sort of brushy or wooded area.

The diet of the Common Yellowthroat consists mainly of insects and spiders, but includes some seeds. During courtship, the male displays to the female by flicking his wings and tail, following her closely, and performing a flight display in which he may climb up to 30 m in the air and returns to another low perch, calling and singing.

Common Yellowthroats generally nest less than a meter from the ground. The young remain dependent on their parents for longer than most other wood warblers. Common Yellowthroats are very commonly "parasitized" by Brown-headed Cowbirds, which are "brood parasites", laying their eggs in the nests of birds of other species in lieu of building their own.

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https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Yellowthroat/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) © Leo Shapiro Supplier: Leo Shapiro
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, File:Common Yellowthroat by Dan Pancamo.jpg Dan Pancamo ,
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0),Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/

Farm Buildings

The WMA preserved a number of farm buildings from the previous owners, and uses them as a maintenance area. Follow the road ahead to pass through this area. Note that, technically, this area is closed to visitors, but the staff is not likely to fuss at you.

Common Evening Primrose

The field edges often have interesting wildflowers to discover. Here you may find a plant that is probably a Common Evening Primrose.

Common Name: Common Evening-Primrose
Scientific Name: Oenothera biennis
Blooming Time: Apr-Nov

Oenothera biennis is a biennial, herbaceous forb. The family (evening-primrose) is so-named because the flowers are partially to fully closed during the day and open in the evening. The bright yellow to gold flower is 1 to 2 inches wide, with four petals. The fragrant flowers usually last only one to two days. This plant grows in fields, pastures, roadsides, clearings, and other open, disturbed habitats. Several Native American tribes used common evening-primrose for both food and for medicinal purposes. The roots were boiled and eaten like potatoes. The young leaves were cooked and served as greens. The shoots were eaten raw. A tea was made from the plant and used as a dietary aid or stimulant to treat laziness and “overfatness.” Other uses include treatments for bruises, to improve strength, and to relieve pain. Hummingbirds visit the flowers to obtain nectar and insects to eat. The seed capsules provide food for many other birds during the winter months. It is thought that the plants are pollinated by night-visiting hawk moths, which feed on their nectar.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center Source: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Public Domain Mark 1.0
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Oenothera biennis František ŠARŽÍK, Public Domain , Unmodified

Farm Pond

Search the shoreline for birds and wildflowers.

Hollow Joe-pye-weed

Common Name: Hollow Joe-pye-weed
Scientific Name: Eutrochium fistulosum
Blooming Time: Jun-Nov


Hollow-stemmed Joe-Pye Weed is a native perennial wildflower that grows from 2 - 6 feet tall. The central stem is hollow, giving the plant its common name. The flowers are fragrant, purple or pink, and occur in round clusters of 5 to 7 florets per head. Flowers appear in mid- to late summer (July-September). The florets produce wind-dispersed achenes (small dry seed with hair-like bristles). This plant grows in floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, riverbanks, flood-scoured stream shores and bars, seepage swamps, fens, depression swamps, wet meadows, low pastures, and ditches.
The nectar from the flowers is very attractive to a variety of pollinators, including butterflies, skippers, and long-tongued bees. Native Americans used a tea of the roots to treat fevers, colds, chills, sore womb after childbirth, diarrhea, and liver and kidney ailments. A wash of the root tea is also used for rheumatism.

DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_eufi2.pdf
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Text – USDA NRCS National Plant Materials Center, https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_eufi2.pdf, Public Domain
Photo – flickr.com, Kerry Woods Eutrochium fistulosum – Asteraceae home garden, Washington Co., NY photo by Kerry Woods , Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), Unmodified

Open Fields

You will spend a good portion of your hike travelling through open fields like these..

Winged Sumac

Common Name: Winged Sumac
Scientific Name: Rhus copallinum

Winged sumac is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree, 20-35 ft. tall, with short, crooked trunks and open branching. Habitats include openings in upland forests that are sandy or rocky, woodland borders, sandy savannas, sand prairies, limestone glades, fence rows, and abandoned fields. This species is valued for ornamental planting because of its lustrous dark green foliage which turns a brilliant orange-red in fall. The tiny, greenish-yellow flowers, borne in compact, terminal panicles, are followed by showy red clusters of berries which persist into the winter. Ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, and about 300 species of songbirds include sumac fruit in their diet. It is also known to be important only in the winter diets of ruffed grouse and the sharp-tailed grouse. Fox squirrels and cottontail rabbits eat the sumac bark. White-tail deer like the fruit and stems. The sour fruit can be nibbled or made into a drink like lemonade. The crushed fruit of this species was added to drinking water by Native Americans to make it more palatable. They also used a decoction to get babies to walk and as an aid the healing of sores and blisters.

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To see a photo gallery, go here:
http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=79
To find out more about this tree, visit this site:
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHCO
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text – Encyclopedia of Life, USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program Source: USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Public Domain Mark 1.0
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Shining Sumac © Katja Schulz , Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0),Unmodified
Photo Gallery - © Copyright 2015, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, et al
More Text – United States Department of Agriculture,Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 654,

View from the Dam

Take a moment to admire the view from the earthen dam for the fishing lake. The dam slopes are usually covered in wildflowers.

Spanish Needles

Common Name: Spanish Needles
Scientific Name: Bidens bipinnata
Blooming Time: Jul-Oct

Spanish needles is probably native to eastern Asia and portions of North America, and introduced to many parts of the world. The name derives from the long narrow seeds, each tipped with three barbed awns, that cling to clothing and fur, thus aiding in dispersal. This plant is a summer annual about 2-5' tall; it is more or less erect and branches occasionally. Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, savannas, thickets, rocky glades, riverbanks, weedy meadows, vacant lots, roadsides, abandoned fields, and waste areas. Habitats with a history of disturbance are preferred. The nectar and pollen of the flowerheads attract bees. Other insect visitors of the flowers include flies and the butterfly Cabbage White. The caterpillars of various moths eat the leaves.
DO NOT PICK WILDFLOWERS OR ATTEMPT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. Most wildflowers will not survive replanting.

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To find out more about this plant, go here:
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/spanish_needles.htm
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Text – Encyclopedia of Life, © John Hilty Source: Illinois Wildflowers, Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0)
Photo – Encyclopedia of Life, Melissa McMasters Spanish needles , Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) , Unmodified

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

More often heard than seen, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (11-13 inches) is most easily separated from the similar Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) by its reddish-brown wing patches, white-and-black under-tail pattern, and the yellow on its bill. Other field marks include a long tail, thin body, and black legs. Yellow-billed Cuckoos breed in forests with plentiful undergrowth and clearings, particularly those near water. The diet of this species is composed primarily of large insects, including grasshoppers, cicadas, and caterpillars. Like many cuckoos, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo spends much of its time hidden in thick vegetation, where it is not easily seen. Lucky birdwatchers may observe this species slinking through the branches of tall trees while foraging for insect prey.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-billed_Cuckoo/id
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COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Text - Encyclopedia of Life, Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
© Smithsonian Institution Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0) Supplier: Wikimedia Commons , ,Unmodified

Great Crested Flycatcher

Great-Crested Flycatcher

A medium-sized (8-9 inches) flycatcher, the Great Crested Flycatcher is most easily identified by its olive head and back, brownish tail, and bright yellow belly. Other field marks include a gray breast and throat, faint white wing bars, and a thick black bill. Male and female Great Crested Flycatchers are similar to one another at all seasons. Great Crested Flycatchers breed in a variety of open woodland habitat types. Great Crested Flycatchers primarily eat insects, but may also eat fruits and berries at any time of the year. Great Crested Flycatchers may be observed flying out from perches to catch insects in the air or “hovering” near vegetation while picking insects off leaves and twigs. In the breeding season, males sing a loud “wheeeep!” song, although this is generally performed from perches hidden in the canopy.

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To find out more about this bird, visit the Cornell birding site:
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Text - Encyclopedia of Life,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) © Unknown • Supplier: DC Birds
Photo - Encyclopedia of Life, Image of Myiarchus crinitus© Marv Elliott,Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0) ,Unmodified
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/