Birding

Bird watching on the Eastern Shore is one of the best you will find on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Our barrier islands has been distinguished as an International Shorebird Reserve. The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail features untouched barrier islands, bayside salt marshes and clusters of tall pines on the seaside of Virginia's Eastern Shore .

From April to early September, thousands of birds nest on the beaches of the barrier islands on our seaside. On bayside, the countless estuaries and tidal mudflats are the East Coast's "safe haven" for migrating shorebirds. Clusters of dense woodlands provide a central rest stop for migrating songbirds and the topography and location of the peninsula is a paradise to raptors. These thousands of nesting areas are essential to the very survival of some species of these birds, so visitors must be cautious not to disturb the delicate natural habitats.

Eight (8) of the 18 locations on the Eastern Shore Birdwatcher’s Loop are found in Northampton County. They are:

1. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Birding habitat consists of man-made concrete islands located on the open water in the Chesapeake Bay. These are rest stops for migrating songbirds during their fall and spring migration. Sightings of Northern gannet, brant, king eider, little gull, purple sandpiper and great cormorant are normal but rare birds like the black tailed gull make this one of the best winter birding sites in the Commonwealth. Because of the enforcement of Homeland Security laws, you must get permission to bird watch on the bridge-tunnel, so contact the CBBT first.
(757) 331-2960

2. Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
This is one of the premier birding and wildlife sites on the Shore offering 1,200 acres on expansive salt marshes, grasslands, bayberry thickets, loblolly pine forests, and freshwater and brackish ponds. It attracts more than 300 species of birds and serves as a staging area for fall migrants. The Hawk Observatory has counted 80,000 plus raptors during a single fall migration. There is a Visitors Center and gift shop. Open daily in the summer, spring, and fall. Admission is free.
(757) 331-2760

3. Mockhorn Island Wildlife Management Area
Run by the Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries, this island has more than 7,000 acres of tidal marsh, cord grass salt marsh and is accessible only by boat. Spring and fall bring migrating warblers and shorebirds. Winter brings thousands of waterfowl. Viewing on this island is predictable in any season, but summer is for nesting and it the most productive. Free and open daily.
(757) 253-7072

4. Kiptopeake State Park
This is the old ferry landing which was decommissioned once the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel opened. Submerged concrete ships provide nesting areas for gulls and ospreys and structures for fish. Woodland trails wind through hardwood pines and then suddenly open onto a spectacular garden full of butterflies and songbirds. Since the 1960’s the park has operated a banding station during the fall. Kids will get a thrill from being able to hold a tiny warbler taken from the capture nets. There are 1.5 miles of hiking trails, a public beach and campgrounds with a modern YURT with cable.
(757) 331-1040

5. Seaview Farm
This is an organic working farm bordered by woodlands and marshes. It is protected from development by a conservation easement established by the local Nature Conservancy.
Wading birds are common here during the summer. Winter brings waterfowl. Neo-tropical migrants come in the fall and spring. Ducks, geese, and reptiles make good use of the 4-acre pond and visitors can follow several well-marked trails.
A $5.00 donation is suggested to help “run the farm”.
(757) 678-5521

6. Indiantown Park
This is Northampton County’s version of a “city park”, a multi-purpose public park featuring an overgrown, grassy trail leading into an Eastern Shore forest. Prairie warblers and orchard orioles, as well as many other species, frequent these woods. The best seasons for bird watching are spring, summer and fall. Free. Open daily.
(757) 678-0468

7. Brownsville Seaside Farm
This is the headquarters for the local Nature Conservancy and Virginia Coastal Reserve. The Conservancy has year-round birding and environmental education programs. A kiosk displaying trail maps marks the beginning of a 3-mile hike. A boardwalk and observation tower offers views of salt marsh where you’re likely to see herons, egrets, seaside sparrows, wrens and fish crows year-round. Neo-tropical birds arrive in the fall.

8. Maplewood Gardens
This is a commercial garden center, sheep farm and nature trail all in one. Here you will run into American painted ladies, woodpeckers and northern bobwhites. Don’t miss the butterfly garden or the seaside wildlife garden.