Dottie:
Here is some advice about birding spots in and around Chincoteague NWR. You
also mentioned Huntley Meadows (which is in Fairfax county). Fairfax County is
a bit of a drive from Chincoteague (3 hours 20 minutes). I really like Huntley
Meadows, but a better bet would be to head south on 13 -- across the CBBT. you
could pick up birds at Kiptopeake, the Eastern Shore NWR, and the CBBT, then
hit spots on the mainland around norfolk and Virginia Beach.
I have been asked about birding on Chincoteague before, here is my general
advice....
There are numerous great birding spots in and around Chincoteague.
1. The causeway and Queen Island Sound boat ramp: The Causeway is the 5 mile
set of bridges and dike that connects Chincoteague island to the mainland.
Look for Black necked stilts that nest in the small open pools in the marshes
on the north side of the road (spring through fall). Also look for large
(LARGE) colonies of laughing gulls. The oyster beds by the boat launch at
Queens Island sound -- a pull off on the right (on the south side of the road)
are great for Am. Oystercatchers -- also look for black bellied plovers and
other smaller sandpipers (turnstones are also possible here). The island
directly across the boat launch has terns (I've seen foresters and gull billed,
and royal), as well as black skimmers. Also rails (clapper for sure ... maybe
a rare Virginia or sora) in the marsh grasses.
2. Chincoteague mud flats: This is accessible from Marsh island (a small
island just to the east of chincoteague) -- There is a connector from the
causeway bridge. Basically take a right from the bridge, and a left once you
get to marsh island. drive to the end of the road past a set of houses and just
to the left of a set of condos. Look out across the flats back toward the
causeway bridge. From here a variety of sandpipers can be seen (july is not
the best time for them). You'll need a scope to really enjoy this spot. The
lots are private so stay on the edge of the end of the road. I think it is ok
to park there.
3. Merritt Harbor -- at the south end of Chincoteague Island -- good for
scoping the birds coming in from the ocean and channel -- scoters, mergansers,
larger shorebirds, gulls and terns. The spot tends to collect small songbirds
that are building up courage to fly over the inlet. for example, I've seen
Redpolls here in December. Warblers in fall migration.
Spots on Chincoteague NWR (actually on Assateague island)
4. The wildlife loop: for songbirds -- I prefer to walk around the loop
clockwise (unless you drive it in the afternoon -- and you'll need to go
counter clockwise). The road on the western side of the wildlife loop is good
for songbirds (you can expect Brown headed nuthatches, pine warblers, and
common yellow throats, white eyed vireos, hummingbirds, indigo buntings, blue
grosbeaks, listen for marsh wrens). There is an area of dead pines about 1/2 a
mile in on the left -- this is a great spot for woodpeckers (there have been
nesting red-headed wood peckers in past years). Listen for bobwhites here --
difficult to see but often heard. Depending on the sun, you can double back
and walk the loop until you find open water the birds are similar on both sides
but the sun will either be at your back or in your eyes depending on the time
of day. If you head around the loop counter- clockwise, look for a bald eagle
nest just to the south of the loop as you walk in the direction of the ocean.
The back side of the loop can be quiet -- but I've seen peregrines, and coopers
hawks there as well as some song birds as well. there is a short boardwalk to
the marsh that can be good depending on sun and where the birds on the open
marsh want to land. Listen for bobwhites here -- difficult to see but often
heard.
5. Service road: on the far side of the wildlife loop is a service road that
runs north for many miles -- again it is quicker to go clockwise if you want to
continue on the service road. It leads to some very interesting habitat --
more nuthatches, orchard orioles, etc. You may want to check with a ranger
before heading out that way. If there aren't many waders it may not be worth
it. There is also a tour bus that goes out that way to the wash flats. I've
never done that but have walked the entire length. It is 7.5 miles and can be
quite an adventure. There are a few places where a path cuts over dikes to
give access to the dunes and beach. The area around the pony corral is good
for songbirds, There are flats on the bay side just north of the pony corral
that can be very good for the odd wader (whimbrels, plovers .. the only place
I've seen american golden plover on the refuge). Past there are the wash flats
(a scope is really needed to appreciate the area), and even further are the Old
Fields. The Old Fields are the most remote impoundments and offer a good cross
section of habitat (if there is water). Keep an eye out for Turkeys and all
sorts of things. Plan for the entire day of walking, bring water, bug spray,
food, and a cell phone. After crossing the cattle guard (past the corral) you
will be in the wild horse area... I have been run off the road by a
particularly aggressive stallion, so keep your wits about you.
6. Beach Visitors center and Swan's Cove - there are two visitors centers
(one NWS and one Park Service). Across from the Park Service one (at the
beach) is Swan's cove -- the flats here are great for sandpipers -- willets,
oyster catchers, and smaller ones, this is also a good spot to catch a glimpse
of piping plovers. In the winter expect ducks, snow geese, and swans. There
are also usually a good array of terns here in season. View Swan's cove from
the parking area across from the visitor's center, from the end of the north
beach parking lot, and from pull offs along beach drive. From the lot across
from the visitor's center, take time to look through the brush along the canal
for night herons. I've found sora and spotted sandpipers along this canal.
7. Woodland trail -- more woody -- orchard orioles, BH nuthatches, pine
warblers, buntings, bugs. There is a trail off the parking lot that leads to a
horse pasture that is often good for sandpipers -- yellowlegs, spotted,
solitary -- put on the DEET.
8. Beach south to the hook -- closed during the piping plover and least tern
breeding seasons. the Beaches are great for willets, red knots, sanderlings
and a collection of shorebirds. I've seen buff breasted here in the fall. The
dunes can collect a variety of sparrows and small song birds. There is a path
through them at the old coast guard's station and a short path at the Visitors
station. Tom's Cove can also be great for shorebirds and in the winter will
have diving ducks (e.g. long tailed and scoter, and loons/grebes).
Specific birds:
Warblers -- I have found that the mainland is better for warblers than the
Refuge. Memorial Park can be good in migration. The south end of Chincoteague
(Merritt Harbor). On the refuge, look for prothonotary, BTB, BTG, Yellow
Throated, B&W, Prairie, and of course Pine and Yellow rumps. In the winter
Yellow rumps may outnumber every other bird species on the refuge.
Rails, seaside and saltmarsh sparrows-- A great spot early in the morning is on
the access road (beach road) to assateague island -- after you pass the
McDonalds and leave chincoteague island and enter the marsh (but before you get
to the entrance circle and gate to the NWR). At low tide scan the channels in
the marshes -- you can spot clapper rails that dart from one set of marsh grass
to another across these muddy channels. I've also seen virginia rails here.
At very high tide this is a good spot for seaside and saltmarsh sparrows --
they get pushed up to the sides of the road when the marshes are underwater.
The visitors center at the beach is supposed to be good for seaside sparrows --
but I've never had luck there.
Bobwhites: Look along the roads on the wildlife reserve as you drive along --
especially early in the morning. I've come across them when I bike (it is
quiet). There are bobwhites at the beginning of black duck marsh trail (right
at beach road). You have to be lucky to see them -- although they should
cooperate and sing.
Gannets are reliable from the beach in the winter.
Owls: can be heard on chincoteague and assateague (barred, great horned and
screech). The wildlife loop and service road are good -- but they may kick you
out when it gets dark. Short eared are also on the refuge in the winter.
Other birds to look for: stilts (always cool); least terns (in tom's cove and
swans cove); black skimmers causeway and swans cove; black crowned and yellow
crowned night herons -- black crowned are more common -- by the beach visitors
center and on chincoteague at merritt harbor, piping plovers along the beach
and in the marshes behind the beach.
Shorebirds: Pretty much anything can show up. Get the latest on shorebird
numbers and locations from Joelle Buffa -- she posts weekly on shorebird
migration to VA-Bird.
The ebird site can be searched for birds seen at chincoteague in specific
months -- it is a great resource. Early June should be fantastic!
good luck!
Bill
From: ctboyles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:53:48 -0500
Subject: [Va-bird] Out-of-state Birder Needs Help
Dear Virginia Birders,
My Mom and I will be in the area the first week of June. We are looking for
the best spots to see the most species of birds in a short amount of time.
We have been studying 'Hot Spots' in bird guides and eBird postings. Since
our time will be limited, knowing the best locations to go would be helpful.
My mom set a goal several years ago to see at least 100 species in 25 states
before she died. We still have several to go. I realize we will be missing
peak migration, but according to eBird reports I think it is do-able with
the right habitat.
While in the area we also plan to bird Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and
New Jersey. We have decided to stay in Wilmington, DE since it seems to be
centrally located to the places we want to visit.
Places in VA we have looked at include: Chincoteague NWR, Kiptopeke SP,
Assateague Island National Seashore, and Huntley Meadows Park. Also if
anyone is willing to go birding with us and help us find the species we
need, we would be happy to pay for your gas.
Please email me off list and let me know the best locations and also the
best time of day, in case morning is not good in a certain area. Also my mom
has limited walking, so any information is valuable.
I'm looking forward to visiting your state. While we had friends who lived
in VA, I've never been there.
Good Birding,
Dottie Boyles
Little Rock, AR
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