Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Virginia · Southeast
Moderate
October-April
$5 per vehicle
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a productive birding destination in Virginia, with 339 species recorded on eBird. This coastal and wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, and American Black Duck among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Wilson's Snipe
Gallinago delicata
Blue-winged Warbler
Vermivora cyanoptera
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougallii
Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
Worm-eating Warbler
Helmitheros vermivorum
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Black-bellied Plover
Willet
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Forster's Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Brown Pelican
Osprey
White-eyed Vireo
Purple Martin
Barn Swallow
Carolina Wren
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
- 4
Check the refuge website for seasonal auto tour route schedules and any temporary closures before visiting.
- 5
Stop at the visitor center for current bird sighting reports and trail condition updates.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- False Cape State Park
- First Landing State Park
- Virginia Aquarium
More in Virginia
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Virginia's iconic barrier island refuge with 320+ species, wild ponies, and Atlantic Flyway migrants.
Huntley Meadows Park
DC area's premier wetland with boardwalk access to nesting herons, rails, and diverse marsh birds.
Great Falls Park
Potomac gorge park with breeding Cerulean Warblers, dramatic river views, and rich spring migration.
Virginia Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Virginia →