Eastern Shore, VA – Bird migration season is in full swing, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia is once again proving to be one of the premier birding destinations on the East Coast. Warblers are already being spotted in good numbers, and shorebirds are beginning to arrive, marking the start of an exciting fall migration period.
To celebrate the season, five guided field trips are scheduled for September, offering birders of all experience levels the chance to witness the spectacle firsthand. While most trips are free, boat and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) excursions may carry a fee. Pre-registration is required for all outings to ensure safety and timely communication with participants. The full fall schedule is available in an attached Word document, and updates can be found online at www.birdingeasternshore.org/events.
In addition to the field trips, the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory has launched a brand-new monitoring effort for Fall 2025: the Eastern Shore Migration Count. Taking place at the southern tip of the Shore near the CBBT toll plaza, the count tracks early morning “reverse migration” activity from nocturnal birds. Led by Baxter Beamer, observations begin at sunrise at the Sunset Beach tiki bar site.
Birders can follow the daily count updates and find directions at trektellen.nl, and read daily insights on the migration blog at coastalvirginiawildlifeobservatory.blogspot.com.
As migration ramps up, there’s never been a better time to grab your binoculars and head to the Shore.
BIRDING EASTERN SHORE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FALL 2025
| 2025 DATE | DESCRIPTION |
| BOAT TRIP Saturday, Sept. 6: 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | WORLD SHOREBIRD DAY: Birdwatching Boat Tour, Wachapreague, VA Get an amazingly close look at seabirds and shorebirds from the water! $20/Limited to 6 Participants/Time Slot. Registration Required by 8/28/2025 Leader: Capt. Meriwether Payne 757-710-2454 |
| FIELD TRIP Saturday, Sept. 13: 8:30 AM | Edward S. Brinkley Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, at Cobbs Station Road. Join Joette Borzik and Maggie Long in search of fall migrants: waders and waterfowl in the pond, warblers and other passerines in the woods and thickets, and shorebirds from the overlook. Register with Joette Borzik at vabirdmom@gmail.com |
| FIELD TRIP Wednesday, Sept. 17: 8:30 AM | Chincoteague Island Nature Trail, 6078 Hallie Whealton Smith Drive, Chincoteague VA. Look for migrating warblers and other passerines at this local hotspot with leaders Helen Belencan and Gary Smith. The trail is about 1 mile of easy terrain. Register with Gary Smith at 803-292-6883. |
| FIELD TRIP Tuesday, Sept. 23: 5:00 PM | VESLT JOINT FIELD TRIP AT BOWMAN’S FOLLY ON FOLLY CREEK, 25118 Bowmans Folly Drive, Accomac, VA. Join Maggie Long, Paul Anderson, and members of the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust for a rare opportunity to bird a private property protected with a conservation easement. Register with Maggie Long at 610-500-9971 |
| FIELD TRIP Friday, Sept. 26: 8:30 am | Kiptopeke State Park, Fishing Pier and Wood Warbler Boardwalk. Meet Joette Borzik and Paul Anderson at the boat ramp parking lot to look for a variety of waterbirds at the pier and passerines on the wood warbler trail. (Fee required to enter park.) Register with Joette Borzik at vabirdmom@gmail.com. |
| FIELD TRIP Friday, October 10 8:30 am to noon | Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge Joanne Laskowski and Maggie Long will guide a bird walk on this limited access island where a variety of migrating hawks and passerines can be found. Meet at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 32205 Seaside Road, Cape Charles. Contact Refuge Ranger Lydia Hansen at 757-331-2760 to register. Limit 20 people. |
| FIELD TRIP Saturday, October 11: 8:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Kiptopeke State Park Hawk Watch and Trails Meet inside the Park at the Hawk Watch parking lot (entrance fee required). Join Maggie Long and Roberta Kellam in search of migratory passerines on the trails and migrating hawks at the Hawk Watch. LIMIT: 15 PEOPLE. Please pre-register with Roberta Kellam at info@birdingeasternshore.org |
| FIELD TRIP Thursday, November 13: 9:00 am | Edward S. Brinkley Preserve, 20199 Seaside Road, at Cobbs Station Road. Explore the diverse habitats with Maggie Long and Joette Borzik to look for late migrants and wintering passerines, as well as wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. Register with Maggie at: 610-500-9971 |
| FIELD TRIP Monday, November 24: 8:30 am | Mutton Hunk Fen Natural Area Preserve, 28583 Baker Road, Parksley Owned by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Mutton Hunk Fen protects a globally rare sea-level fen along with hundreds of acres of migratory bird habitat. Join Maggie Long and Paul Anderson on a trek through the preserve to look for wintering passerines and late migrating raptors. Register with Maggie at 610-500-9971 |
| FIELD TRIP Thursday, December 4: 8:30 am | Onancock Parks and Marina Join Paul Anderson and Maggie Long for a birding tour of the Town of Onancock. Park and meet at the Town Marina where the walk will begin and end. Register with Maggie at 610-500-9971. |
| FIELD TRIP Saturday, December 6: 8:00 am to 11:00 am | Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Join Mario Balitbit to observe winter waterfowl, shorebirds, and gulls from the unique vantage point of CBBT Island 4. Last year, we even saw a whale! Cost is $15 per person (for cost of mandatory police escort) and payment and registration form are required by November 15. Cost is nonrefundable after November 15. Please dress warmly as the cold and wind can be difficult. Send (1) your email address, (2) your check made out to Birding Eastern Shore, and (3) your CBBT security form to: Roberta Kellam, Birding Eastern Shore, PO Box 193, Franktown, VA 23354. The CBBT Security Form can be downloaded at www.cbbt.org/birding/ |
SAVE THE DATES FOR THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS!
Check our website for Updates!
1. Wachapreague, Saturday, December 13
2. Nassawadox, Saturday, December 20
3. Chincoteague, Sunday, December 28
4. Cape Charles, Tuesday, December 30
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