Birding Guide: Eastern Shore of Virginia (Part III: Links)

July 30, 2009 | Laura 2

Part III. See also: Part I, Intro | Part II, Birding Sites

Where to Stay:

Cape Charles (South)

Cape Charles House

http://www.capecharleshouse.com

Kellogg House Bed and Breakfast

http://www.kellogghouse.com/

Onancock (Central)

Charlotte Hotel & restaurant

http://www.thecharlottehotel.com/

Inn and Garden Cafe

http://www.theinnandgardencafe.com/

Inn at Onancock

http://www.innatonancock.com/home/

Chincoteague (North)

Channel Bass Inn (Chincoteague)

http://www.channelbassinn.com/

Island Manor House

http://www.islandmanor.com/

Watson House

http://www.watsonhouse.com

For more information:

Festival Website

http://www.esvachamber.org/festivals/birding/

Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce

http://www.esvachamber.org/

Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission

http://www.esvatourism.org/home.asp

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/chinco/introduction.htm

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/easternshore/

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

http://www.cbbt.com/

Kiptopeke State Park

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/kip.shtml

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/vbwt/

Seaside Water Trail

http://www.deq.state.va.us/coastal/seasidewatertrail/

Savage Neck Dunes National Seashore

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/natural_area_preserves/savage.shtml

Schooner Serenity Tours

http://www.schoonerserenity.com/

Tangier Island

http://www.tangierisland-va.com

Lodging

Cape Charles (South)

Cape Charles House

http://www.capecharleshouse.com

Kellogg House Bed and Breakfast

http://www.kellogghouse.com/

Onancock (Central)

Charlotte Hotel & restaurant

http://www.thecharlottehotel.com/

Inn and Garden Cafe

http://www.theinnandgardencafe.com/

Inn at Onancock

http://www.innatonancock.com/home/

Chincoteague (North)

Channel Bass Inn (Chincoteague)

http://www.channelbassinn.com/

Island Manor House

http://www.islandmanor.com/

Watson House

http://www.watsonhouse.com

Good Eats

Great Machipongo Clam Shack (gourmet seafood)

www.greatclams.com

Sea Seagull Pier Restaurant (the fried flounder sandwich is legendary!)

http://www.cbbt.com/tour.html

Sting-Ray’s (the iconic one-stop shop of The Shore)

http://www.cape-center.com/stingrays/stingrays_home.htm

Wineries

Chatham Vineyards

http://www.chathamvineyards.net

Holly Grove Vineyards

http://www.hollygrovevineyards.com/

Bloxom Vineyards

http://www.virginiawines.org/wineries/bloxom.html

Water Tours

Southeast Expeditions (expert kayakers)

www.sekayak.com

Captain Barry’s Back Bay Cruises (highly recommended!)

http://captainbarry.net

Broadwater Bay Eco-Tours

http://www.BroadwaterBayEcoTour.com/

The Eastern Shore of Virginia contains the longest stretch of undeveloped coast on the eastern seaboard. On the seaside, a ribbon of undeveloped barrier islands protects wide expanses of pristine tidal salt marshes, vast tidal mud flats, and thriving fish and shellfish populations. On the bayside, countless estuaries and tidal mudflats dot the shoreline. And because much of the peninsula is owned by government agencies or conservation groups, development is limited and wildlife thrive here.

The Shore’s mosaic of habitats and its location along the mid-Atlantic flyway make it a critical stopover site for migrating birds in North America. While spring migration is noteworthy, the fall migration is not-to-miss.

A good way to sample birds on the peninsula is to attend The Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival, held September 17-20, 2009. The festival is a chance for bird watchers to experience firsthand the Shore’s spectacular migration event while accessing the shore’s best birding hotspots with knowledgeable birders.

IF YOU GO

Natural Areas

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

Kiptopeke State Park

Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail

Seaside Water Trail

Savage Neck Dunes National Seashore

Tangier Island

Lodging:

Cape Charles (South)

Kellogg House Bed and Breakfast