April 28, 2016

April 28, 2016

Today is a cloudy 50 degree Wednesday, May 4th.  I haven't had my sunglasses on in two days.  We are off to explore Prime Hook NWR, the 2nd of Delaware's only two NWR's.  We have been to both Bombay Hook and Prime Hook NWR's when we were here 9 years ago.

This refuge covers 752 acres and was established in 1984.  It is located at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula on the eastern shore of Virginia.  The area is one of the most important avian migration funnels in all of North America.  Migratory birds converge here before crossing the mouth of Chesapeake Bay.

 At the start of WW II, the government established Fort John Custis on this land to defend US Naval bases at Norfolk.  In 1950 the fort was transferred to the US Air Force and converted to the Cape Charles Air Force Station.  This facility closed in 1980 and the land was transferred to US Fish & Wildlife.

2-3.  Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

6-7.  Male Prothonotary Warbler singing to his mate.  These birds are endangered in Canada and is one of only two warblers in North America who nests in cavities.

Virginia is one of 7 states who claim the Northern Cardinal as its state bird.

12-14.  Male Indigo Buntings singing to their mates.   These buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue as their is no actual "blue" pigment in birds.  This explains why males can appear many shades from turquoise to black depending on the lighting conditions.