BIRDING EASTERN SHORE FIELD TRIPS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS
(Email to Info@birdingeasternshore.org for more information)
Field Trips are free (except where a fee is noted) but require pre-registration with Trip leader. Field trips generally last 2 hours unless noted otherwise. Always be prepared for ticks, mosquitoes, and variable weather conditions. Bring your own water and snacks.
For more information: www.birdingeasternshore.org; info@birdingeasternshore.org
BOAT TRIP, Saturday, September 6, 2025. Birdwatching Boat Tour with Capt. Payne, Wachapreague, VA. Celebrate World Shorebird Day and 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. Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3 time slots, please register for only 1. 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
FIELD TRIP, Saturday, Sept. 13, Meet at 8:30 AM at the 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, Meet at 8:30 AM at the 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, Meet at 5:00 PM for a VESLT JOINT FIELD TRIP AT BOWMAN’S FOLLY ON FOLLY CREEK, 25118 Bowmans Folly Drive, Accomac, VA. Join MaggieLong, 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 water birds along the pier, and then walk the trails for migratory songbirds. 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 meet at 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 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 leader 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. Download your CBBT security form here: https://www.cbbt.com/birding/
SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2025 CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
1. Wachapreague, Saturday, December 13: Compiler Mario Balitbit
2. Nassawadox, Saturday, December 20: Compiler Joette Borzik, vabirdmom@gmail.com
3. Chincoteague, Sunday, December 28: Compiler Kevin Holcomb, kevin_holcomb@fws.gov
4. Cape Charles, Tuesday, December 30: Compiler Ellison Orcutt, Mr.ellyo@gmail.co
