Fall and spring are magical times on the Eastern Shore for birders. Huge numbers of songbirds migrate southward from their northern nesting territories to their wintering grounds far to our south. With the songbirds travel prodigious numbers of raptors, following their prey. As the Atlantic flyway is a preferred migratory route, and passes along the Atlantic coastline, our Eastern Shore of Virginia is flooded with beautiful birds we don’t usually get to see as easily. Our trip will be in prime time for this spectacle and we will visit some prime locations!
We will visit the Kiptopeke hawk watch to sample the ongoing raptor counting. We will go on to the Eastern Shore Wildlife Reserve to see songbirds foraging and raptors descending to pursue them. Then it’s on to hot spots, including Magotha Road, Oyster, Cheriton landfill and Willis Wharf. We will have the expert eyes and ears of talented young birder Andrew Rapp to guide us and highlight what we are seeing and hearing along the way! At the hawkwatch platform we will have Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory President Brian Taber give us a special update on the raptors we are seeing and any rarities we can expect.
In short, we will be at a super birding place at the prime time!
On Saturday morning, 13 October, we will depart at 07:30 AM by caravan from the Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center (on Jamestown Road just south of intersection with Rte 199. We can carpool as desired from there. There will be comfort breaks along the way and a stop for lunch if desired. So what’s not to like?! This will be a birder friendly trip to some great and accessible habitat, and we hope you’ll join us!