Gizzard shad swimming up the James River to spawn

Richmond Times-Dispatch environmental reporter Rex Springston points out a welcome sign of spring: gizzard shad make their way up the James River in Richmond to spawn. See the story and video on timesdispatch.com:

Pony Pasture salamanders make annual rite of passage

I’ve been told these little creatures don’t get in to the river, they just lay their eggs in the muddy pools of mud on the south side of Riverside Drive between The Meadow and Pony Pasture. Rex Springston of the Richmond Times-Dispatch made note of the salamanders annual rite of passage:

More opinions on white rings on James River rocks

The white rings found on many rocks in the James River haven’t gone away, though the recent rains may change that. JRNH got an answer from James River Park manager Ralph White and now Rex Springston of the Richmond Times-Dispatch picked up the story and found a few more opinions on what is causing the rings.

Great blue heron rookery update (and osprey sighting)

Credit: P. KEVIN MORLEY/TIMES-DISPATCH

The Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Rex Springston had a story in Monday’s edition about the great blue heron rookery and had many good quotes from nature-lovers. We’ve also got a Pipeline Rapids rookery update from JRNH’s eye in the sky, Jim Alexander:

‘Sex on the James’ as great blue heron return to rookery for spring

Phil Riggan – James River News Hub

James River Park manager Ralph White led a tour of the great blue heron rookery with the Richmond Audubon Society at the Pipeline Rapids walkway on Saturday and had plenty of knowledge to share about “sex on the James” and the “strange behavior” that unfolds each spring at the end of the Falls of the James River in Richmond.

“Most of the rookeries tend to be in isolated areas, so this is strange behavior,” White said. ”Herons are known to be a little skittish around people, but here they have chosen to live next to people. The reason is, they are perfectly safe. It is isolated. There is water, there is an island and tall trees.”