Hi all, thought some here might be interested.
For a long time this subspecies was thought to be unique to the Great Dismal
Swamp proper. But a report in the current issue of Banisteria , the journal of
the Virginia Natural History Society, says they have been found in four
surrounding counties in Virginia. This is a significant range expansion and
means the population is probably secure, good news for people who like small,
furry things. I visited a couple sites west of Franklin but, not surprisingly,
dipped on them.
But wait! I can tie this into birds. The VNHS is of a broader scope than just
birds, of course, but there is some overlap. For example, the Great White Heron
found near Fishers Hill, Shenandoah Co, in November, 2006, which was apparently
killed by a car, was recovered and donated to the Smithsonian for the first
specimen record in Virginia. The authors of the report acknowledged this very
listserve as a source of good information about the bird.
The VNHS website is at
http://www.cmiweb.org/VNHS/banisteria/banisteria.asp ;
Good birds, and what have you,
John Fox
Arlington
