Kilmarnock in Lancaster County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve
204 Acres
Photographed By Don Morfe, August 17, 2016
1. Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve Marker
Inscription.
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve is situated on a small peninsula on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The preserve contains tidal and non-tidal wetlands, and exemplary undeveloped beach and low dunes, and upland forest communities. It is home to a federally protected insect species and contains important habitats for waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey.
Most of Hughlett Point’s shoreline consists of a sandy beach that provides habitat for the threatened northeaster beach tiger beetle (Cioindela dorsalis dorsalis). This rare, agile, little insect about 2/3 of an inch long has a white to cream-colored back with dark markings and long dark legs. To exist, these animals require undisturbed beach habitat where they spend their entire 2-year life cycle. Females lay their eggs in the sand and the larvae live in burrows 4 to 10 inches deep from which they capture small prey. Adult tiger beetles are also predatory. They can sometimes be seen skittering or making a short flight just beyond the stride of a person walking along the beach.
Winter Water Trail 0.1 miles , Bay Shore Trail 0.7 miles , Observation Platform , Parking Area , Preserve Boundry.
Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve is situated on a small peninsula on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The preserve contains tidal and non-tidal wetlands, and exemplary undeveloped beach and low dunes, and upland forest communities. It is home to a federally protected insect species and contains important habitats for waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey.
Most of Hughlett Point’s shoreline consists of a sandy beach that provides habitat for the threatened northeaster beach tiger beetle (Cioindela dorsalis dorsalis). This rare, agile, little insect about 2/3 of an inch long has a white to cream-colored back with dark markings and long dark legs. To exist, these animals require undisturbed beach habitat where they spend their entire 2-year life cycle. Females lay their eggs in the sand and the larvae live in burrows 4 to 10 inches deep from which they capture small prey. Adult tiger beetles are also predatory. They can sometimes be seen skittering or making a short flight just beyond the stride of a person walking along the beach.
*Winter Water Trail 0.1 miles *Bay Shore Trail 0.7 miles *Observation Platform *Parking Area *Preserve Boundry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 37° 44.506′
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N, 76° 19.027′ W. Marker is in Kilmarnock, Virginia, in Lancaster County. Marker is on Balls Neck Road (VA 605). This marker is on a cutout on Balls Neck Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kilmarnock VA 22482, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The boardwalk to the beach is shown in the background
Photographed By Don Morfe, August 17, 2016
3. Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve sign at entrance to the cutout
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
