We will be heading to the Eastern Shore on Saturday, October 19. Deborah Humphries will lead our group that day, with several stops and usually a great variety of birds. We can expect to identify more than 50 species on this field trip, and if the conditions are right, many more than 50 species! Expected stops are:
– The overlook at the north side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
– Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (ESVANWR)
– Kiptopeke State Park, both the Hawk Watch site and a trail
We’ll gather at the overlook, our first stop, around 8:30 a.m. That’s usually a pretty quick stop, depending on how many gulls and cormorants we have to count. But we should be at the ESVANWR Visitor Center by 9 a.m. or a little after. Times after that depend on how good the birding is. And, if a rarity has been reported on the southern Eastern Shore, we may add a stop to look for that bird. Meanwhile, the raptor count this season to date at Kiptopeke has surpassed counts for the full season back to 2011 – let’s hope that there are still some hawks to see when we’re there! All that birding will make a lot of us hungry, so lunch at Cape Charles Brewing Company should be the final stop. Lunchers can expect to return to Williamsburg in the range of 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Those interested in carpooling should let me know they’d like to carpool, and meet at the Colony Square Shopping Center shortly after 7 a.m. Departure from there is at 7:15 a.m. If you are willing to drive a carpool, please let me know that as well. My email is grm0803@gmail.com . So far, two people have volunteered to drive. And also let me know if you want to stay for lunch!
If you have a State Park Annual Pass, please bring that with you. Without a pass, the entry fee for Kiptopeke is $7 per vehicle. And drivers should remember their EZ Pass transponder for the CBBT tolls.
he Williamsburg Bird Club’s first field trip of the 2024-25 program year will be next Saturday, September 21 at Jamestown Beach Event Park. The plan is to meet at 8 a.m. for a couple hours of birding and socializing. Yes, this is a casual event – no major hiking around the area (unless you want to…)
The park entrance is a right turn of SR 31, just before the Jamestown Ferry. The park opens at 8 a.m. If you get there a little early, the gates may not be opened yet, but the area around the entrance is usually pretty birdy. Once the gate is opened, follow the road a few hundred yards to the parking area. We’ll congregate on the grassy area above the beach, which is a couple hundred yards on mostly paved paths from the parking lot. The area is readily accessible for those folks with mobility challenges.
Last year, the group identified 27 species, including a Bald Eagle over the river, Caspian Terns and Royal Terns at the ferry dock, and several woodpeckers in the woods. Maybe some warblers in the brush near the beach this year? Babs Giffin will keep the eBird list and share it with participants. So let Babs know when you see something!
Saturday, October 21, will be the day we return to the Eastern Shore. Deborah Humphries will lead our group that day, with several stops and usually a great
variety of birds. Expected stops are:
• The overlook at the north side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
• Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (ESVANWR)
• Kiptopeke State Park, both the Hawkwatch site and a trail
We’ll gather at the overlook, our first stop, around 8:30 a.m. That’s usually a pretty quick stop, depending on how many gulls and cormorants we have to count. But we should be at the ESVANWR Visitor Center by 9:00 a.m. or a little after. Times after that depend on how good the birding is. And, if a rarity has been reported on the southern Eastern Shore, we may add a stop to look for that bird. All that birding will make a lot of us hungry, so lunch at the Cape Charles Brewing Company should be the final stop. Those eating lunch can expect to return to Williamsburg in the range of 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Those interested in carpooling should let me know they’d like to carpool, and meet at the Colony Square Shopping Center shortly after 7:00 a.m. Departure
from there is at 7:15 a.m. Also, let me know if you want to stay for lunch!
If you have a State Park Annual Pass, please bring that with you. Without a pass, the entry fee for Kiptopeke is $7 per vehicle.
With the summer almost over, the birds are getting more visible, so it’s time to resume our field trips. The next one will be on Saturday, September 16. We’ll meet at Jamestown Beach Event Park at 8:00 a.m., where we’ll stay pretty much in one place just above the beach to see what birds are around. And you don’t have to arrive at 8 a.m. First, this is casual birding. Second, since we’ll be pretty much in one location, you’ll find the group even if you arrive at 9 a.m.
The location is easily accessible via a paved trail from the parking lot. This event gives participants an opportunity to reconnect with other club members while also birding as much as you like. Bring your chair and your coffee mug! I expect we’ll be birding for a couple hours, but people can come and go as they please. Rexanne Bruno will be keeping the eBird list and sharing it with
participants. Thanks, Rexanne!
Please Note: Those arriving early may have to wait at the entrance gate until park staff opens it. Last year, the entrance gate was actually a pretty birdy spot.
The Club has been granted access for 15 members (maximum!) to visit Piney Grove Preserve on Saturday, May 13. This preserve in Sussex County is the home of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, which Chance Hines described at our March meeting.
Chance will be leading us around the preserve. It will be EARLY—Chance recommends we take the 5:20 a.m. ferry to Surry. We will also need carpools because space for cars is very limited in the preserve.
Signups will be announced separately and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
