On Saturday, May 18, we’ll take our last field trip of the season to Chippokes State Park in Surry County. This trip will require a ride on the Jamestown Ferry. More details, including which ferry to catch, will follow.
April Field Trip: Newport News Park
The next field trip will be to Newport News Park (13560 Jefferson Avenue) on Saturday, April 20. Jason Strickland will lead us on a walk which usually features a mix of early migrants and late lingerers. We’ll meet at the parking lot by the ranger station at 8:00 a.m. and bird most of the morning. Last year, the group identified 55 species, including Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue Grosbeak, and three flycatcher species.
March Field Trip: Machicomoco State Park
February 17 Field Trip: Colonial Parkway
Mark your calendars for the next field trip for the Williamsburg Bird Club on Saturday, February 17. Rexanne Bruno will lead us at several stops along the Colonial Parkway, from King Creek to Yorktown. There should be opportunities to view several waterfowl species on the York River and its tributaries, plus land birds at the Yorktown Battlefield. We’ll meet at the parking lot of the Target at Marquis Plaza (200 Marquis Parkway, Williamsburg, VA 23185) at 8 a.m. There, we can consolidate cars as needed for the trip. I expect we’ll be birding for most of the morning. And those who get hungry can stop for lunch at the Yorktown Diner, right on the beach.
November Field Trip: Grandview Nature Preserve, November 18
The next field trip for the Williamsburg Bird Club will be to Grandview Nature Preserve in Hampton on Saturday, November 18. Michelle Gianvecchio will lead our group. In the past, this trip has provided an opportunity to observe many species of waterfowl and shorebirds along the beach, plus land birds on the walk to the beach. Last year, the group identified 60 species, including scoters, grebes, loons, gannets, Ruddy Turnstones, five sparrow species, and a Sedge Wren. No guarantees, but the preserve is usually quite productive.
We’ll meet at the preserve entrance on State Park Road at 8 a.m. There’s ample street parking on State Park Road. We expect to be birding until noon or so, depending on how far we all want to walk on the beach.
If you’d like to carpool, please let George Martin know. Anyone wishing to carpool should arrive at the Colony Square Shopping Center on Jamestown Road a little after 7 a.m. for departure no later than 7:15 a.m. And if you are willing to drive, please let him know that as well.
This trip is dependent on the weather. If a storm is nearby, and tides are high, the beach disappears. It’s too early for any forecasts to be reliable, but we will keep you posted on any negative developments.