Whether you are a long-time bird watcher or a new bird peeper, I will highlight some expectations for this year’s migratory flight over the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay. Get your binoculars and cameras ready and join us as we watch the bird’s flight patterns this year.

Bring your binoculars

One key thing to remember is that anyone can be a birder - you don't have to have fancy equipment, a long checklist or even any experience. However, there are a few key things to have with you for all birdwatching adventures to make the most of your trip.

Whether the birds are nestled in the trees or soaring in the sky, one of the most important things to bring to your viewing location is binoculars, as they make it easier for you to spot the birds. Again, you don't have to spend a fortune on binoculars to get a good look at nature, and you can go to your local outdoors store or look online and find a good pair for under $100. The National Audubon Society's guide to buying binoculars is worth checking out for some additional pointers from birdwatching professionals.

In addition to watching the birds, you can use the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify the bird songs that you hear.

Remember to dress appropriately for the outdoors and be prepared for various weather conditions and wear comfortable shoes.

Find your viewing location

Now that you have your binoculars and birdwatching gear, let’s go find those birds.

Early mornings provide the optimal time for viewing and listening to the birds. There are numerous park locations along the East Coast that you can visit this fall and winter to participate in bird watching. This blog focuses on multiple parks located near or on the Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay, so be sure to check the website for all bird watching events this season.

Read over each park’s Know Before You Go web page before your visit to be aware of parking fees, park hours and event times as weather will play a factor in any last-minute cancellations. All updates will be listed on the park’s page on the website. Be sure to observe all posted signs and stay on marked trails to respect the delicate ecosystems within each park.

Kiptopeke State Park

Let’s start at Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore. This unique park is a must-visit this season as its location is perfect for birdwatching due to the migratory route that millions of birds fly each year. The park falls right under the general flight pattern, so it’s ideal to see a wide variety of birds such as waterfowl, birds of prey and songbirds.

“At Kiptopeke, you can visit the Hawkwatch, which is staffed by Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory from September 1 until the end of November,” said Kiptopeke State Park Assistant Manager Stephanie Venarchick. “They are very knowledgeable and encourage guests to stop by and ask questions. The CVWO is expecting their one-millionth hawk to fly over the hawkwatch this year, and you can get a firsthand look at the bird count updates from the park or you can check out the CVWO website.”

In addition to the Hawkwatch platform, there are other prime locations to view birds at Kiptopeke, such as Taylor Pond, located on the Raptor Trail.

“Taylor Pond provides guests with two birdwatching blinds along with a native plant garden,” said Venarchick. “The fishing pier is also a great spot to watch for waterfowl or birds of prey. You can see numerous birds hanging out on the concrete fleet ships too.”

The park offers a Junior Ranger booklet to help connect the youth to nature and it includes fun activities that can be completed at the park.

Check out the fall events and hikes that are available this year.

Mason Neck State Park

Located in Lorton, Virginia, Mason Neck State Park offers wonderful views of a variety of birds during prime migration flights. It provides a quiet escape from the city along with a peaceful view of the birds and wildlife.

The migrating birds you can find at the park will vary from day to day, but you can see the recently spotted birds at the park thanks to the eBird mobile by visiting https://ebird.org/hotspot/L718591, https://ebird.org/hotspot/L521963, and https://ebird.org/hotspot/L566146.

Friends of Mason Neck State Park Board Member Tom Blackburn is a Fairfax Master Naturalist as well as the president of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. He also volunteers frequently at Mason Neck and other local county parks and is super knowledgeable about birds and nature.

“The best place to watch birds at Mason Neck this fall is the Bayview Trail,” said Blackburn. “It’s quite possible to spot several species of warblers, flycatchers and vireos during migration. Some birds migrate early in the fall and others will migrate later, so you never know for sure what birds to expect on a given day. Bird watchers have spotted migrant birds at the park in recent days, such as a Scarlet Tanager, Cape May Warbler, Brown Thrasher, American Redstart, Great crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher and an Eastern Wood-pewee.”

Mason Neck State Park is one of the spots that is included in the nationwide Christmas Bird Count that is held in middle or late December. New birders are encouraged to participate. Contact the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia for more information.

In the winter, huge flocks of migrating water birds often congregate in Belmont Bay, near the park visitor center. The Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, which is adjacent to the park, is host to as many as 400 Trumpeter Swans from mid-November to mid-March.

“You can see the swans at the end of the Great Marsh Trail, which is about 1/4 mile before you reach the contact station,” said Blackburn. “The shelter at the end of the trail has telescopes that you can use to see the birds, but they are often fairly close to the shore.”

Belle Isle State Park

Located in Lancaster, Virginia, Belle Isle has seven miles of shoreline on the Northern Neck's Rappahannock River that provide viewing locations for a variety of birds. The park has multi-use trails that offer picturesque overlooks and cool spots to birdwatch.

Watch House Trail takes you through several habitat types that are perfect for birdwatching, including grasslands, large open fields, edge habitat and marshes. The park has been hosting guided hikes to view the eagle’s nest located on the trail.

“Our Walk on the Wildside hike will feature migratory birds and is led by our local experts, the Northern Neck Master Naturalists,” said Belle Isle State Park Manager Katie Shepard. “At the end of Watch House Trail, there is a great view of the river, and you can sometimes see bald eagles sitting in the trees watching over the water.”

The park has been known to see an increase in waterfowl in the fall and winter as well as migratory songbirds passing through. The park’s location can draw a wide variety of birds and you might get lucky and spot some rare birds.

“One of my favorite highlights of the season is that you might have the chance to see or hear a loon - which is always really exciting,” said Shepard. “We will often see a Northern Harrier during the winter months, hovering over the fields in front of the visitor center looking for prey. Some small warblers, sparrows, the yellow-bellied sap suckers and dark-eyed juncos will all be more common through the fall and winter as well.”

The website ebird.org has a fantastic feature where you can see a chart of bird observations by season and the one for Belle Isle can be found here.

“Porpoise Creek features an observation blind that overlooks the water and this is a great place to watch for migrating waterfowl such as the Tundra Swans,” said Belle Isle State Park Interpreter Rachel Howell. “I want to remind all visitors, it is still tick and mosquito season and the flying and biting critters are still out. Remember to bring and wear your bug spray and a hat. Sunglasses are also helpful for battling the glare off the water while you are looking for birds.”

Be sure to check out the fall programs and hikes available this season that provide opportunities to traverse the park and see which birds are migrating overhead.

False Cape State Park

Located in Virginia Beach, False Cape offers prime viewing for numerous birds all year long. This fall and winter be sure to take advantage of the overlooks, especially in the morning so you can see some amazing birds and wildlife.

“Our east impoundment has a gorgeous overlook that makes for a great place to bird watch,” said False Cape State Park Interpreter Erin Burgess. “In the fall we will see neotropical songbirds and raptors and even warblers, hawks and falcons. In the winter you can expect Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, Wood Ducks and many more types of species.”

False Cape has a unique location as it is nestled in between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the North Carolina border. This means that there is no vehicular access to the park. You have to hike, bike or boat 3.5 miles to get to the entrance of the park.

“From November 1st to April 1st, the wildlife refuge closes its interior trails/dikes to the public,” said Burgess. “During the month of October, we have tram tours going every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From November to April, we have winter tram tours three times a month. They run once a day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The tours are a great way to explore False Cape during the winter, as well as a great way to see wildlife. Reservations are required and there is an $8 fee. To make a reservation, call 757-426-7128.”

Widewater State Park

Located in Stafford, Virginia, Widewater State Park provides a scenic getaway for your birdwatching adventures. What makes Widewater special is that the park truly offers a wide variety of habitat types that attract a variety of species year-round.

“We have open areas in both the Aquia and Potomac picnic areas to observe soaring raptors,” said Widewater State Park Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience Jamie Leeuwrik. “There is a small overlook on the Potomac River to observe migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, and a hiking trail along marshy areas to observe ducks, geese, small perching birds and many more.”

Widewater is a hidden gem for the birding community because it offers easy viewing sites for notable species like the bald eagle, as well as more elusive species like the red-headed woodpecker.

“Osprey will typically migrate to the area in the spring and remain active in the area until approximately October,” said Leeuwrik. “When the Osprey migrates away, a variety of waterfowl begin to migrate to the area. Many species of ducks. Canada geese and tundra swans will appear and fill the Potomac River shoreline, Holly Marsh and Long Pond. One of my favorite experiences birding at the park is around the time when winter changes over to spring. During that time you can notice a change from red-headed woodpecker calls filling Holly Marsh to the red-bellied woodpeckers filling the forest.”

Whenever you decide to visit, the park will definitely have some birds on display. You can see and hear a variety of species at this park throughout the year.

Learn more about birding on our website.