High Bridge Trail State Park hosted an owl walk Saturday night, April 27. Thirty-six hikers took part in the evening program. After a brief discussion on owls and their adaptations by Park Education Specialist Bob Flippen, the group started on their way to High Bridge, making one stop at the old John Mottley Overton house to hear some history regarding it, the South Side Rail Road and the original High Bridge.

The group advanced to the first overlook and using an electronic recording of an Eastern Screech Owl, an attempt was made to call up some of the Barred Owls that occupy the river bottom. Two responses were heard. Katy Quarles, an environmental scientist with Maymont Park in Richmond, was in attendance and identified the first as a rather large Barn Owl and the second as an incomplete Barred Owl call. Barred Owls are generally nesting at this time of year. Their eggs are incubated by both parents and their young can fly at 42 days of age.

For future program offerings at High Bridge Trail State Park please visit the park's webpage at www.virginiastateparks.gov.

The award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks' activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.