Winter Birdwatching on Assateague Island
Mid-Winter on Assateague Island Virginia might seem like the least enjoyable time to visit, but for birdwatchers, waterfowl enthusiasts and photographers, there are excellent opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.
Among the most common winter birds seen are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans and the ever present herons, egrets and gulls. In addition to waterfowl and songbirds, there are sika deer, whitetail deer, muskrats, otters and the famous Chincoteague ponies.
Time of day is an important consideration when visiting the island. For all but the hardiest of visitors, early morning is too cold and dark for a visit, but the early morning is one of the best times to see and photograph waterfowl and other wildlife. Of course the refuge has limited hours which dictate the start of nature expeditions, typically until 6am in winter. Once inside the refuge, visitors can take the main causeway to the beach, park and walk the wildlife loop or explore the many trails.
For early morning nature lovers and birdwatchers, at least a quick tour to the beach is usually worthwhile. The road takes visitors past the famous Assateague Lighthouse, takes a turn and continues out across the marshland near Tom's Cove. Several canals and impoundments are within view, most of which are occupied with a variety of wildlife in the morning.
Perhaps the best place to see ducks, geese, swans, herons, egrets and birds of prey is the wildlife loop. From morning thru mid-afternoon, the area is closed to vehicle traffic but open to foot and bike traffic. This allows photographers and birdwatchers a chance to take a quiet walk and see birds, mammals and other wildlife undisturbed.
Both sides of the lagoon have shallow areas with submerged vegetation. These areas consistently attract ducks such as teal, mallards, black ducks, pintail, rudy ducks and others. Nearby are sandbars and marshy areas where snow geese congregate by the hundreds or thousands. Also along the loop are canals and smaller impoundments where herons, egrets, coots and other shorebirds feed.
Not to be overlooked are the outlooks that offer excellent views of the area. There is also a trail on the east side which leads to more small ponds and eventually to the ocean. A walk along this trail may bring encounters with deer, eagles, Canada geese, brant, ducks and shorebirds. Once on the beach, explorers find themselves much farther North than the typical beach walkers. This area is somewhat different than the Southern beaches and shells are a bit more common.
Tags: assateague, assateague island, birdwatching, waterfowl, winter, ducks, geese, brant
Submitted by: cin
