Hard to talk about Hog Island WMA, Surry, VA without mentioning the nuclear power plant: have to check in at the security gate with the ‘guys with machine guns’ to get to the outer/main WMA tract. (Advantage: Presque Isle State Park for ease of access.) Also need a VA hunting/fishing license or day access permit ($4 per person per day). But, 110% worth the effort.
The amazing American White Pelicans were covered in an earlier post. Almost as amazing, the large number of Great Egret. Here, a mashup of that (+ GBH) x Barn Swallow:
Tons of Bald Eagle activity, both adult and juvenile:
Here’s a GBH getting ‘tripped up’ by a power line:
But it seemed fine/uninjured:
Also lots of Osprey activity, e.g.:
Coming up soon, more at Hog Island, including more Bald Eagle, blue birds that aren’t jays or bluebirds, and a BirdingPI.com ‘first time ever’ sighting!