Virginia (1 Viewer)

Visiting Virginia in June for a week. Any suggestions of places to visit with birds/wildlife to see?
Cheers

Hi, Tully,

Check out this URL from the State of Virginia. They offer fabulous, free color brochures (spiral-bound books, some of them), maps, and all kinds of info for wildlife trails throughout the state. I got a packet of info from them and was astounded at how much data it contained.

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/vbwt/index.asp

Hi Tully,

Try these websites: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/VABD.html - will keep you up with less common local sightings in VA. You may want to join this group and post a request for advice there - if so to join you go to http://www.freelists.org/list/va-bird .

http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/usvirginia.htm - virginia hotspots

http://www.nps.gov/oia/NPSBirds.html - bird info for selected national parks of the US

This should help get you on the way but hopefully someone with better knowledge of Virginia Birding will be along soon to offer suggestions.

Luke

Give at least two days to explore the Chesapeake Bay. You will be astounded by the Ospreys. There are nests on many of the pilings in the marinas.

Assateague and Chincoteague are great for seabirds.

Hi Tully,

Can't help you much with your request, but will be interested in your experiences, since we are planning to spend a week in Virginia in August....

Hopefully you'll post a trip report...


Rgds.... Ruby

Chincoteague is a wonderful place and not just for seabirds. I first visited there in November 1975 and then again last November. Great birding. We are planning a trip there again this May.

Tully said:

Visiting Virginia in June for a week. Any suggestions of places to visit with birds/wildlife to see?
Cheers

Click to expand...

You got some good suggestions about where to get information etc.
However Virginia is a big state and with just one week it makes a big difference whether you are going to be close to the shore or close to the mountains etc.

In June, specially mid to the end, there won't be as many shorebirds in places like Chincoteague as you can find in May. But the breeding season for Neotropical migrants is going to be in full swing.

Not far from the Virginia Beach area, for example, there is the Great Dismal Swamp with a variety of "southern" breeding warblers: Swainson's Warbler, Prothonotary, etc. It is best in May and April but in June, specially early, they are still singing. Be prepared for bugs.

In the mountains in the west of the state a variety of warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers breed. Birds like Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak are common at this time. You can also find breeding Mourning Warblers and Blackburnian Warblers for example. However such a trip, including driving and birding time would take at least two days if you are based in a coastal town.

Just some thoughts to take into consideration when checking the excellent web sites provided in other messages.


Dalcio

Thanks very much everyone. You've given us plenty to research. I really appreciate it