Dyke Marsh And Hunting Creek

 

LOCATION: Fairfax County, Virginia, just south of the City of Alexandria.

 

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 177 on U.S. 95/495 (The Capital Beltway) to U.S. Route 1 (South). Turn left at Fort Hunt Road and right at Belle Haven Road. Turn right at the George Washington Parkway and left into the Belle Haven Park. The entrance to the marsh is off the marina road and south of the parking lots.

 

ACREAGE: Dyke Marsh is a 380-acre wetland.

 

HISTORY: “In the early 1800’s earthen walls were built around the perimeter of the existing marsh in order to create more land not inundated by high tides. The “dyked” area was then used to graze livestock and to grow crops.” (Friends of Dyke Marsh, (www.fodm.org))

 

ECOSYSTEM TYPE, HABITATS, & ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE: This is a naturally occurring freshwater tidal marsh on the Potomac River. Habitats range from marsh vegetation to mature hardwood trees that provide cover, food, and nesting sites for mammals, reptiles, and birds. The mudflats at the confluence of Hunting Creek and the Potomac are a source of food for migrating shorebirds and residents such as Great Blue Herons.

 

BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING: This is an excellent, close-in bird watching site for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area that is administered by the National Park Service. Prior to visiting, bird watchers might want to check the Friends of Dyke Marsh Web site (www.fodm.org) and review the Bird List of the 225 commonly found birds and the Bird Sightings section. The former includes abundance and nesting coding, and the latter gives information about what’s been seen lately. Late fall and winter provide excellent opportunities for close looks at various species of waterfowl, including Common Merganser, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, Pintail, Redhead, Ring-necked, Ruddy, and Wood Ducks; Gulls, including Great Black-backed, Bonaparte’s, Herring, and Ring-billed; Terns, including Caspian and Forster’s, Bald Eagles and the occasional Tundra Swan. Spring and fall migration, especially fall, bring Warblers-- including Northern Parula, American Redstart, and Yellow as well as less frequently sighted species such as Cape May. Hunting Creek, and associated mudflats, are good places to see shorebirds, including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Least, Pectoral, Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plover and Short-billed Dowitcher, stopping over during migration. Other species likely seen here include Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Towhee, Field, Fox, Savannah, and Swamp Sparrow, Great Crested Flycatcher, Osprey, Warbling and White-eyed Vireo, and Ruby Throated Hummingbird. There is one trail that accesses part of the marsh. It starts from the marina road and ends at a boardwalk overlooking the marsh and Potomac River. NOTE: The boardwalk was destroyed by a hurricane in Sept. 2003. For now, a ground level trail has replaced the boardwalk. Hunting Creek can be reached by walking towards Alexandria on the Mount Vernon Trail (a very busy hike and bike trail). The marsh and river are also accessible by canoe or kayak. The Friends of Dyke Marsh sponsor a weekly Sunday morning bird walk that starts at 8 A.M. from the south parking lot in the Belle Haven Picnic Area. Experienced birders, some of whom are members of Fairfax Audubon Society (FAS), lead it. The Friends of Dyke Marsh conduct an extensive, on-going breeding bird survey of the marsh and Belle Haven Picnic Area. This is one of the sites for the FAS Northern Virginia Bird Survey. Please check the FAS Web site (www.fairfaxaudubon.org) or contact the FAS office (703) 256-6895 (office hours are 8-4 M-F) for additional information about FAS sponsored walks or survey activities.

 

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES: The water quality of the Potomac River at this point depends on erosion control and water treatment activity up river. Invasive plant species, boating activity at the marina and on the river, and activities in the picnic area affect the overall environmental health of this area.

 

CONSERVATION WORK AT THE SITE: The National Park Service is responsible for site maintenance. The Friends of Dyke Marsh is a “non-profit organization that cooperates with the National Park Service in promoting the well-being of the marsh.”

 

CONTACT INFORMATION: No onsite contact point. The Friends of Dyke Marsh have an excellent Web site (see above) and their mailing address is Friends of Dyke Marsh, P.O. Box 7183, Alexandria, VA 22307-7183.

 

FEES AND HOURS OF OPERATION: There are no fees for this site and the hours of operation are dawn to dusk.

 

FACILITIES: Ample parking and restrooms are available. Bring your own snacks and water.