Bundoran Farm Field Notes

How much do you know about Bundoran Farm?

Posted by Leif Riddervold on August 18th, 2010 in Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment

To test your knowledge of Bundoran Farm, we came up with this short quiz.

Pick the statement about Bundoran Farm that is Not True!

1: Lake Inferior is a good fishing hole.

2: Cacti grow wild in the forests of Bundoran Farm.

3: Snakehead fish have been caught in Lake Scogo.

4: A Lockheed C-130 Hercules Transport Aircraft has landed on the farm.

To locate these areas on at Bundoran Farm, visit the interactive masterplan.

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Rain Gardens – Simply, Effective & Attractive

Posted by Joe Barnes on August 18th, 2010 in Architecture and Design, Education and Inspiration, General, Green Building, Project Updates

One of the underlying goals of Bundoran Farm is to preserve the character and use of this legacy Charlottesville property. Extraordinary measures were taken in locating homesites and roads so they worked with and blended into the landscape.

In addition having the roads “lay lightly” on the land within the boundaries of Bundoran Farm, we took care to minimize any impacts to properties adjacent to or downstream from us. Roads and related storm water drainage systems have been designed so the post-development storm water runoff is equal to or less than pre-development runoff. For individual homesites, in accordance with the Virginia Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, additional storm water management measures are required if the impervious surface area within a Development Zone exceeds 7,000 square feet.

Given the modest size of the homes built to date at Bundoran Farm, impervious surface areas have been kept to a minimum. Any Low Impact Development (“LID”) measures implemented by Bundoran Farm Owners/Stewards have been done by choice and because they are right thing to do for the environment and their personal lifestyle.

Recently we had the pleasure of seeing the two rain gardens the Tompkins installed on their recently completed home off of Hightop Drive. The Tompkins’ goal was to affordably, effectively and attractively handle the rainwater coming off the roof of their home without relying on gutters.

Dorothy Tompkins sums it up this way:

“The one that is finished was actually pretty easy. The one in back was fairly easy also, but has a longer drainage ditch leading to it. One reason they were easy is that our soil right around the house is quite sandy and drains beautifully. You want all the collected water after a rain to drain within 72 hours, preferably sooner, to prevent mosquito breeding. It seems to drain out in less than 12 hours so far, because of the sandy soil around it. I dug a small pit more like a hole, and put coarse (concrete) sand in the bottom then added some native soil, peat moss and compost. There are some native plants that do well, certain ferns, Clethera, Cardinal Flower, Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) in rain gardens.“

For those looking for Charlottesville VA real estate where they can live sustainably, we have In order to create a resource for LID measures and other sustainability design and construction concepts, we created the Bundoran Farm Green Book – A Property Owner’s Guide to Sustainable Design & Development. This companion document to the Bundoran Farm Pattern Book contains a well of information to assist designers, owners and builders in making sound decisions to achieve their personal sustainability goals.

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Bird Notes by Dorothy Tompkins – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Posted by Joe Barnes on August 13th, 2010 in Education and Inspiration, Nature/Environment

The Yellow-Billed Cuckoo – Coccyzus americanus

More than one resident of Bundoran Farm has noted the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo recently. They have been calling their hollow wooden calls ka-ka-ka-ka-kow-kow-kow-kow-kowlp-kowlp-kowlp from many sites in the forests or the forest edge.

This secretive bird has an unusual breeding pattern, with breeding correlated with an abundant food supply and a very rapid breeding cycle. From egg-laying to fledging of the young takes only 17 days, and breeding occurs from April well into August. Since they are so vocal at this time one can speculate that the recent rains have brought out their favorite foods: large insects such as katydids, grasshoppers, cicadas, crickets and caterpillars. I did not hear these cuckoos much during the recent drought.

The yellow-billed cuckoo arrives from its winter stay in Central America in April and breeds through out central and eastern US. It prefers open woodland with clearings and some low dense vegetation, usually with water nearby. It is generally absent from urban areas.

The yellow-billed cuckoo has been called “the rain crow” but its proficiency as a rain predictor has never been shown. This cuckoo is known for its “skulking” behavior; when perched it avoids movement, sits with its back hunched to conceal its white breast and belly and disappears into the foliage when disturbed. It is much more likely to be heard than seen. When spotted, its distinctive tail pattern is quite pretty: the outer feathers (rectrices) are tipped with white giving the appearance of six large white spots on the undersurface, The bright rufous wing primaries are a lovely color. The moderately long curved, stout bill is mostly yellow with the upper mandible black.

The yellow-billed cuckoo has declined significantly in the US and used to be common in the west, but has virtually disappeared from those states. This disappearance seems to be due to destruction of riparian habitats from agriculture, flood control and urbanization.

The yellow-billed cuckoo, like other cuckoos may lay eggs in other bird’s nests. Most often it is in another yellow-billed cuckoo’s nest. Generally they seem to use their own nest, and the incidence of brood parasitism is not known.

It’s call can be heard at www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-billed_Cuckoo/sounds

Dorothy Tompkins – Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward

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Nothing Like Fresh Eggs in the Morning

Posted by Joe Barnes on August 11th, 2010 in Agriculture, Education and Inspiration, General

As a kid growing up, I spent my most memorable summers on my Grandparent’s farm just outside of Burlington, IA. In addition to weeding the bean fields with my Grandpa or driving the old Ford tractor around the farm by myself, one on the highlights was gathering a couple of eggs from my Grandma’s hen house each morning for my breakfast. I don’t think I have tasted better eggs than my “self gathered”, Grandma “cooked with love”, sunny-side up eggs.

The only thing that has come close to this quality of eggs are the one-half dozen eggs we received each week when we belonged to a local CSA – Community Support Agriculture. The color and taste can’t be beat. How I would love to have some chickens in my own yard for both the quality of the fresh eggs and to provide my sons with some of the experiences I enjoyed as a kid.

If you are in the same mind frame I’m in, have no fear. I recently ran across this website/blog , Chicken Coops Plans. It contains almost everything you would want to know about building a chicken coop and raising chickens for personal use and enjoyment.

Several residents and owners at Bundoran Farm have expressed an interest in having a few chickens around their house. I can’t wait to see this happen. It would be a great addition to this Charlottesville Va real estate. Not only is it 100% compatible with the overall vision for Bundoran Farm, I look forward to swinging by in the morning, helping them gather their eggs and perhaps even enjoying and nice sunny-side up egg breakfast.

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Reliving History on the James River

Posted by Joe Barnes on July 7th, 2010 in Baldwin Center for Preservation, Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment

Leif Riddervold, Bundoran Farm’s natural resources manager, is a man of the land and water. When he is not tending to the 2,000 plus acres of pasture, orchards and forest within Bundoran Farm’ preserved and protected farmbelt & greenbelt, he is often involved in other pursuits that foster a greater appreciation of our natural resources the cultural legacy of the Virginia Piedmont.

During his recent vacation, Leif participated in the 25^th Annual James River Batteau Festival. The festival included 25 flat bottom, wooden vessels that are replicas of the boats used Colonial times into the 19^th century to move cargo along the James River and is a tradition for many boating fans. Some even dress in period colonial outfits. Leif helped crew the Rosalee on the 120 mile trip down the James River from Lynchburg to Maiden’s Landing.

As highlighted in the May 26, 2010 issue of the Washington Post, these “boats were vital to Virginia’s early commerce, when much of the state could only be traveled by horseback. The cargo typically included tobacco and other crops, along with some passengers, and were navigated by batteaumen who used long poles to push the huge boats around rocks and through shallow water. The first remains of the ancient boats were found in 1983 at a construction site in downtown Richmond. From that discovery, the first reproduction was built.

Here’s a link to a great narrated photo essay about the trip. James River Batteau Festival

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Bird Notes by Dorothy Tompkins – Summer Tanager

Posted by Joe Barnes on June 11th, 2010 in Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment

A Summer Tanager is singing from trees (mostly white oak) around our house on Hightop Drive at Bundoran Farm . The song is richer and sweeter than the more common Scarlet Tanager. I heard and saw one off of Hightop Drive last year, so Bundoran Farm is fortunate to be a site they like. The Summer Tanager is bright red, our only completely red bird. You can hear the song at http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Summer_Tanager/sounds

Dorothy Tompkins — Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward

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Baldwin Center for Preservation Development Host Landowner Workshop on Forest Management and Conservation

Posted by Leif Riddervold on June 11th, 2010 in Baldwin Center for Preservation, Education and Inspiration, Nature/Environment

This past Wednesday evening , June 9, 2010, we were pleased to host a workshop at the Baldwin Center for Preservation Development for landowners interested in learning about forest management and conservation of their own forest groves. This is critically important, as 66% of Virginia’s 15.72 million acres of timberland is in private hands.

The speakers for this event were Mike Santucci & Nelson Shaw, both with the Virginia Department of Forestry, Rex Linville of the Piedmont Environmental Council, and Adam Downing, a forester with Virginia Cooperative Extension. The participants learned important information about the history of Virginia’s Forests, how they can get a Forest Stewardship Management Plan written for their property, how timber is sold, and also about conservation easements.

We would like to thank these folks for provided this informative workshop for the public. Additional support for this event was provided by the Ballyshannon Fund.

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Bundoran Farm Featured in Virginia Sportman Magazine

Posted by Joe Barnes on June 11th, 2010 in Agriculture, Architecture and Design, General, Green Building, Nature/Environment, Project Updates

Bundoran Farm was the subject of a feature article in the June/July 2010 Issue of Virginia Sportsman magazine. Written by Hay Hardy, the article provides an excellent overview of the Bundoran Farm’s three fold vision of protecting the character and use of the working agrarian landscape, provide for ongoing environmental stewardship and create opportunities for families who want to live in and experience this beautiful part of Albemarle County.

In addition to providing an overview of the project vision and a brief history of the property, Hay goes on to describe how the vision is being fully realized as development activity proceeds.

“When you enter Bundoran Farm, you will see cattle grazing peacefully on acres of pasture and cattails swaying gently around the ponds. Gravel farm roads cross gurgling streams on well-constructed bridges with timber railings, and meander off into the woodlands. Tasteful wooden road signs mark the routes at each fork in the road. It is difficult to believe that you are actually in a residential development – a preservation development – and at the same time, on working farm.

Using the Tillman House built by Maple Ridge Group as an example, Hay also goes in great detail how the homes are designed and built in an environmentally friendly manner. All house built at Bundoran Farm are required to meet EarthCraft standards, the green building standard for residential construction in Virginia.

“Homeowners are encouraged to build homes with a scale and style that complement the landscape of the region. An example is the Tillman House. It is designed by Russell Versaci, one of the several architects and design professional in the Bundoran Farm Guild.

The site plan for the Tillman house was designed to protect and nurture the land. Non-permeable surfaces such as asphalt driveways were avoided to prevent runoff. Instead, permeable surfaces create a rain garden, keeping the rainfall on the property.

During construction, Maple Ridge implemented a recycling program for all the debris created in the process. Steve Nicholson, Maple Ridge’s managing partner, added that their company-preferred building practice exceeds the demand of the EarthCraft standards.”

Hay concludes the article by speaking with Fred Scott whose family stewarded the Bundoran Farm land since the 1940’s. “Scott feels that he has place his family homestead in good hand and insured its future.”

Virginia Sportsman Magazine – June – July 2010

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Bird Notes by Dorothy Tompkins: Orchard Orioles in Bundoran Farm

Posted by Joe Barnes on May 23rd, 2010 in Education and Inspiration, General, Nature/Environment

Male orchard orioles are declaring their territories along many “edges” and from clusters of trees in Bundoran Farm. The mature adult male has a deep chestnut body with a black head and wings. The yearling male is bright yellow or yellow green with a black throat. There is a vociferous yearling male singing along Hightop Drive just beyond the turn off by the sign for Homesites H- 04, H-05 and H-06 (some of available Virginia rural real estate availabe for purchase at Bundoran Farm) . He especially likes the clump of trees further along on the downhill side of the road, but also sings from the single trees on the uphill side. His appearance is quite striking. The song is lovely. Go to: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Orchard_Oriole/sounds

There are several Louisana Waterthrushes singing along the small streams, several wood thrushes, many scarlet tanagers and field sparrows singing these days (as well as many others). A thrush seems to be nesting very close to the Foraste’s homesite. Tree swallows are nesting in some of the bird boxes: they eat millions of mosquitos and other “pests”.

Dorothy Tompkins – Master Naturalist and Bundoran Farm Steward

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Trail Maintenance Day

Posted by Joe Barnes on May 2nd, 2010 in Bundoran Farm Events and Occasions, Education and Inspiration, Nature/Environment, Project Updates

Bundoran Farm residents, future residents and team members spent part of May Day, working on trail maintenance along Israel Mountain. In addition to working hard to clear and clean up one of the many trails that run through the managed forest of Bundoran Farm we had a great time socializing and learning about the wonderfully diverse ecosystem around us. It’s always amazing to see what can be accomplished and what can be learned when we come together for a common and worthy cause.

Hats of to Leif Riddervold, Bundoran Farm’s natural resources manager, who organized this event and to all who participated. I can’t wait for the next one.