James River National Wildlife Refuge

James River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of three refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Refuge encompasses 4,200 acres of forested habitat along the James River, bordered by Powells Creek to the north, and the historic Flowerdew Hundred Plantation to the south. The Refuge was created in 1991 to protect nesting and roosting habitat for the threatened bald eagle.

Each summer, up to 2,000 bald eagles migrate north from southern breeding grounds to the Chesapeake Bay Region, a phenomenon unknown in other parts of the country. More than 230 individual eagles, the highest density on the River, roost on Refuge lands. The proximity of ideal roosting trees to the River's excellent foraging habitat creates this spectacular wildlife phenomenon at the Refuge.

Breeding bird surveys, begun in 2000, have found an interesting assemblage of warblers and other songbirds. Among them are hooded warbler, pine warbler, prothonotary warbler, Acadian flycatcher, red-eyed vireo, and ovenbird. Nearly 50 species were recorded during the surveys, which are conducted in May and June.

Mammals observed on the Refuge include beaver, muskrat, red fox, cottontail rabbit, grey squirrel, opossum, and white-tailed deer.

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