Description

The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a relatively young and growing refuge in the Northern Neck. The refuge was founded in 1996 largely to help protect critical habitat for bald eagles. Large concentrations of bald eagles can be found on the river year-round. In 2007, areas of the refuge were designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society for their high bald eagle concentration.

A dirt road runs through a hardwood swamp, home to breeding prothonotary warblers, and onto open fields. On this tract, agricultural land is being restored to manage native grasslands for vesper and grasshopper sparrows and other ground-nesting birds. Grassland bird populations are declining rapidly as farmland has been converted for commercial and residential development.

NOTE: The Tayloe Unit of the Refuge is NOT open to the public; it is only open for visitation on a reservation basis. Visit or contact the refuge headquarters for more information.

Directions

Physical Address: 2012 Naylors Beach Rd, Warsaw, VA 22572

From US 360 E/Queen St in Tappahannock, continue for 4 miles and turn left (north) onto SR 624. Then, turn left (west) onto SR 634/Naylors Beach Road and continue for 2.0 miles, looking for the entrance on the right.