Event Category: Field Trips

CHECK CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

October 15 Field Trip to the Eastern Shore

The Williamsburg Bird Club’s October field trip will be to the Eastern Shore of Virginia on Saturday, October 15. In previous years, this trip has resulted in an extensive list of birds, many of which aren’t easily seen in the immediate Williamsburg area.

Ivan Munkres will lead our trip this year. We’ll make three planned stops:

We’ll meet at the overlook between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. This will be a short stop before heading to the nearby NWR. Our time at the NWR will depend on the birding. I expect the group will arrive at Kiptopeke late morning.

For those interested in carpooling, and / or available to drive others, please let me know of your intent. Carpoolers should meet at the Colony Square Shopping Center on Jamestown Road by 7:15 a.m., with departure shortly thereafter and definitely no later than 7:30 a.m.

If you are planning to stick around for lunch, you can expect to return to Williamsburg between 3 and 4 p.m.

The entrance fee to Kiptopeke State Park is $7 per vehicle. Those who have an annual state park pass should bring it with them.

And bring your EZ Pass for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The round-trip toll with EZ Pass is $20.

Hope to see you on October 15th!

September Field Trip – a “Sit” at Jamestown Beach Event Park

The September Williamsburg Bird Club field trip will be Saturday, September 17.  This field trip was a bit different.  Rather than hiking through a park, we did a “sit” at Jamestown Beach Event Park. We sat in a spot near the beach, a couple hundred yards from the parking area, and stay there for a couple hours, starting at 8 a.m., an hour after sunrise.

eBird list

May Field Trip: Cranston’s Mill Pond

The WBC has been granted access to Cranston’s Mill Pond. 

Cranston’s Mill Pond (CMP), a 55-acre impoundment in James City County, VA has been in existence since the mid-1800s. In its modern state (since 2011), CMP is authorized by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Nutrient Offset Facility. Essentially, it captures phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment from the surrounding seven square mile watershed and prevents negative effects to the downstream Chickahominy River, James River and Chesapeake Bay. 

The field trip will start at 8 a.m., and we expect the group will be birding most of the morning.  Wear good walking shoes!  The site is entered from Cranston’s Mill Pond Road, between 1/2 and 3/4 mile from Jolly Pond Road.
 
Limits on People and Cars
Parking is possible at the site, but it’s limited to 12 cars maximum.  And we’re limiting the total number of people to 24, a number which includes the leaders and organizers.  If you want to participate on the field trip, please let George Martin know.
1) will you be driving? and
2) how many people will be traveling with you?
George will keep a list, with your placement on the list determined by when he receive your email.
 
Logistics
If a lot of people choose to drive themselves (the site is very close to both Ford’s Colony and Colonial Heritage), we may organize a “collection point” at Hornsby Middle School where people can consolidate into cars.  That’s where the information regarding the number of cars will be helpful.  The address for the middle school is 850 Jolly Pond Road, and it’s less than 5 minutes from the site entrance.
 
If you’re driving to the site, the gate will be opened at 7:30 a.m.  Parking will be at the top of the hill, less than 100 yards from the entrance.  Someone will be pointing to parking spaces.
 
FYI – the property does NOT have restrooms!

Field Trip to Newport News Park

On Saturday, April 16, George Martin will lead our group at Newport News Park.  Meet in the parking lot past the ranger station at 8 a.m.  Because the park is fairly close, carpooling won’t be necessary, but of course you’re free to arrange your own.

Field Trip to Machicomoco State Park

On Saturday, March 19, Dave Youker will lead us at Machicomoco State Park in Gloucester.  We’ll meet at the parking lot just inside the park entrance at 8 a.m.  This is a new state park – people who have been there expect the birding to be quite good.  Those interested in carpooling should meet at the Colony Square Shopping Center at 7:15 a.m. for a 7:25 a.m. departure. Please let George Martin know at grm0803@gmail.com
 
Also, since it is a state park, bring your pass if you have one.  Those cars without an annual state park pass will pay a $5 entrance fee.
 
The Fairfield Foundation in Gloucester is restoring the Timberneck House (c. 1793) at the park.  Sara Lewis, who works at the Foundation, let me know that the house may be available for tours after our group is finished birding.  There is no cost, but donations are welcome.  Ms. Lewis commented, “There is usually someone on hand to take visitors in, or I can arrange a special time for a tour for Williamsburg Bird Club members.”  
 
If the house tour is of interest, please let me know at grm0803@gmail.com  and if the interest is high, I can work with Ms. Lewis to set up a tour.  For more information, check their website at https://fairfieldfoundation.org/timberneck/ .