Just a short note to relate that I visited this natural area for the
first time in thirty years. It's a newly designated natural area and
just recently opened in the city of Virginia Beach. Here's a link to
some information:
http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails/natural-areas/Pages/pleasure-house-point.aspx
I parked on Marlin Bay Drive and walked in along the Beach Trail which
skirts the edge of Pleasure House Creek. Some of the trail was slightly
under water so come prepared for that. During my walk which was just
after noon I flushed an American Bittern, a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron,
a Snowy Egret, and watched Nelson's and Seaside Sparrows feeding on the
seed heads of the /spartina/ quite near the trail. The latter two bird
species are not easy to see in our urban area. I walked through an open
space with relatively few trees where the Says Phoebe was seen last
month. That area looks good for Snow Buntings. I came out near the pump
station where parking is also available and walked back to my car. Near
the pump station were signs indicating that construction of an
environmental education center is proposed for that area. Give the walk
a try.
