Natural zoo awaits visitors on False Cape safari

Egrets, feral pigs, horses, turtles, snakes and foxes are among the animals that visitors to False Cape State Park can expect to see.

But it's a long walk into the park, which has no vehicular access, and it can be hard for the untrained eye to spot and identify the multiple species of waterfowl, shorebirds and mammals found there.

So park interpreter Mary Jo Geldert is providing wildlife "safaris" into False Cape to give visitors a chance identify and learn a little about each species they encounter along the way.

The park, at 4001 Sandpiper Road, is billed as "Virginia's Outer Banks." Visitors normally have to hike, bike or kayak the four miles into the park from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Safari participants, though, ride by tram, and Geldert provides binoculars for a closer look at the animals.

Visitors on one recent safari were treated to the sight of red-winged blackbirds, turtles and several snowy and great egrets. A raccoon peered out from a safe distance, and Geldert pointed to an adult osprey perched near a nest on a tall platform.

The ospreys, which mate for life, return to the same spot each summer to nest, and the couple that occupies this nest has hatched at least one chick this year, she said.

The snowy egret, small and snow-white in color, can be distinguished from the great egret by its yellow feet, Geldert explained on one recent safari. While the great egret has black feet, the smaller snowy egret "looks like it's wearing little yellow slippers."

Geldert helps visitors distinguish the poisonous water moccasin from the non-poisonous water snakes. The moccasin tends to float on the water while the nonpoisonous snakes swim with only their heads visible, she said.

Safari participants hike across the dunes to visit the beach, where they learn about the shorebirds, shells and creatures that live east of the dune line.

While no dolphins were spotted on this late June trip, Geldert said that it's not unusual to see the animals "swimming within a couple of hundred yards of the shore."

Warren Foster, a Richmond resident, always visits the park when he summer vacations at Sandbridge.

"I saw a fox, and I've seen wild horses," Foster said. "Everybody loves the wild horses, but the pigs are really cool, too. I saw some run right across the path - how cool is that?"

The safaris are among several activities that are planned at False Cape this summer. The park staff offers canoe or kayak tours through the park in the early mornings or at sunset, and bike tours and stargazing trips are scheduled as well.

"Children in the Park" is an event planned for youngsters and their parents that includes wildlife observation and nature crafts, such as leaf rubbing. The next "Children in the Park" is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31.

Jane Bloodworth Rowe, jrowe28@cox.net