Third Saturday Nature Walk – May 15, 2021

Nature Walk on May 15, 2021 – Tomkins Knob/Jeffress Park along the Mountain to Sea Trail

Bill Dunson will lead a nature walk identifying plants, insects and birds and discussing patterns of community ecology in Jeffress Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway May 15 from 9-11 am. We will hike an approximately 1.6 mile section of the Mountain to Sea Trail from the southern boundary of Jeffress Park to the Tomkins Knob parking area. This trail has a firm surface with few rocks and a moderate incline. At the start there is an interesting early successional meadow with seasonal wildflowers. We then enter a sub-climax pine woodland followed by an extensive, mature hardwood forest, which should provide us with a nice variety of spring ephemerals including trilliums , orchids, and Jack/Jill in the pulpit (and their strange sex lives). We will also be examining the biodiversity of shrubs and saplings, the role of shade tolerance and deer herbivory in community dynamics, and the ecology of light gaps. A predominant shrub here is mountain holly, Ilex montana. The trail passes along the western side of the ridge line which marks the eastern edge of the escarpment dropping down to the Piedmont. We should hear rose breasted grosbeaks singing on the ridge, and see/hear a variety of other neotropical avian migrants. Birding by ear will be taught if you lack binoculars.

Directions:

We will meet 2.1 miles north of the intersection of US 421 and the Parkway, just north of the Elk Mountain overlook; there is a Jeffress Park sign on the eastern side (approximately at MP 274.1)- pull over there into the grassy meadow edge. There will be a shuttle from the Tomkins Knob parking area to bring drivers back to the start.

All hikes will go rain or shine. There is no fee or requirement for reservations. No smoking or dogs please. Covid masking is at your choice. Call, text or email Bill Dunson for further information: 276-233-6364 cell phone, wdunson@comcast.net Visit his nature blog at:
http://lemonbayconservancy.org/news-blog/nature-notes-by-bill-dunson/

Future walks will be held on June 19, July 17, August 21, and September 18, locations TBA.