Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 14, 1994 TAG: 9411150121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It is the 18th state guide in a national series, the first to feature a bald eagle on the cover.
The project leader and author, Mark Duda, is particularly proud of the cover.
"I think it makes a statement," he said. "The whole idea that conservation can work is that we now have basically brought the bald eagle back from endangerment."
What's more, Virginia has its share of excellent spots to observe eagles up close, said Duda, including Caledon Natural Area, where the majestic birds soar above the Potomac River.
The 95-page Virginia guide is part of the National Watchable Wildlife Program, a partnership of state and federal resource agencies and private organizations. The first guide in the series was published in 1988 and featured Oregon. Duda, a wildlife consultant who works out of Harrisonburg, is working on a West Virginia guide scheduled to be out next year.
"Boy, this job was the best one I've ever had," Duda said of the Virginia guide. "It just left such great memories."
More than 150 sites were considered and were narrowed to 80, all of which Duda visited.
"Many worthy sites were not included due to space limitations; others were eliminated to protect fragile wildlife and habitat from damage," he said.
The book showcases a mix of areas, from the well-known, easily accessible Chincoteague National Wildlife Area on the Eastern Shore to obscure Warbler Road north of Buchanan. Experienced birders consider Warbler Road to be one of the best warbler viewing areas in the entire Blue Ridge.
The diversity of Virginia, from the marshes of the Eastern Shore to the mountains in the west, gives the state an incredible range of wildlife, said Duda. "For its size, it is one of the most diverse areas in the world."
The guide, which should be in book stores and nature shops in time for Christmas, sells for $8.95. It can be purchased from the publisher, Falcon Press, by calling 1-800-582-2665.
"This is for casual wildlife watchers," said Duda, but he expects experienced viewers will buy it to see if their favorite spot is included. When they do, most will learn of a new area or two, because research shows that experienced watchers tend to return to the same spots time and again, Duda said.
"My biggest fear is that somebody is going to grab the guide, then go out and expect to see wildlife like it was in a cage. That's not the case. These thing are wild. Wildlife viewing is a chancy business. It requires patience."
Several pages of the book are dedicated to skills and equipment needed for successful wildlife watching, which Duda says is one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in the nation.
"There's always a risk that you take with a book like this," he said. "You don't want to destroy the areas" by attracting millions of people to them.
The book will increase visitation, but that should be offset by the fact that wildlife watching is the best way to teach people about wild creatures and the environment, said Duda. Once that interest is broadened, greater numbers of people are going to be more concerned about protecting the environment.
VIRGINIA WILDLIFE WATCHING
BEST SPOT TO SEE EAGLES: Mason Neck, near Lorton.
SPECTACULAR RAPTOR AND SONGBIRD MIGRATION: Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, near Cape Charles.
BEST SPOT TO VIEW DEER: Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, near Luray.
REMARKABLE TRILLIUM DISPLAY: G.R. Thompson Wildlife Management Area, near Front Royal.
TEN THOUSAND SNOW GEESE: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, near Virginia Beach.
BEST SPOT TO SEE WHALES: Owls Creek Salt Marsh, where Virginia Marine Science Museum offers boat watch trips off Virginia Beach.
HOG HEAVEN FOR WATERFOWL OBSERVERS: Hog Island, near Williamsburg.
BEST AREA TO SEE BEAR: Shenandoah National Park, from Waynesboro to Front Royal.
SPRING FLOWER SHOW: Old Rag Mountain near Madison, for combination of redbuds, dogwoods, azaleas and trilliums.
NEAREST VIEWING SPOTS TO ROANOKE: Explore Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail from McAfee Knob to Carvins Cove.
BEST WILDLIFE WATCHING AREA IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA: Mount Rogers, near Marion.
BEST WILDLIFE WATCHING AREA IN VIRGINIA: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, near Chincoteague.
AUTHOR MARK DUDA'S FAVORITE: "Tough question."
by CNB