Birding
Westmoreland State Park
804-493-8821, westmoreland@dcr.virginia.gov
Westmoreland State Park, complete with campground and nature center, offers a rich mosaic of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Visitors who walk on 200-foot bluffs overlooking the Potomac River will be rewarded with views of osprey and wintering waterfowl.
Type of birds
Westmoreland is a year-round birding hotspot. Various songbirds cover the park from spring through fall. Eagles are here year-round and osprey reside here spring through fall. See a list of birds here.
Best time of year to observe
Eagle sightings are common over the Potomac, which borders the park. Kayak beside the cliffs to glimpse birds including great blue herons. Bluebirds are likely to be seen in April through May due to a large amount of bird boxes and lesser amounts of foliage than summer months.
Best places in the park to observe
There’s an observation deck for waterfowl near fossil beach on the boardwalk.
Special birding programs and events
Westmoreland offers and is expanding its birding programs.
Recent blogs about Birds
- A birder’s top 5 Virginia State Parks for birding
- 5 ways to experience High Bridge Trail State Park
- Birding festival 1st weekend in May at Hungry Mother to honor longtime volunteer Randy Smith
- Exploring the new additions to New River Trail State Park
- A "heronious" point of view: great blue herons are nesting
- More recent blogs about Birds.
