Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Virginia · Southeast
Easy
April-May, August-November
$10 per vehicle
5 AM - 10 PM (May-Sept), 6 AM - 6 PM (Oct-Apr)
About This Location
Chincoteague NWR on Virginia's barrier island of Assateague is one of the most popular wildlife refuges on the East Coast, famous for its wild ponies and outstanding birding. The refuge protects over 14,000 acres of beach, dune, marsh, and maritime forest along the Atlantic Flyway.
Over 320 species have been recorded, with peak diversity during spring and fall migration. The Wildlife Loop road and lighthouse trail offer easy access to excellent shorebird habitat, while the marsh impoundments attract herons, egrets, and thousands of wintering waterfowl.
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
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
Wilson's Plover
Anarhynchus wilsonia
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna grisea
Black-necked Stilt
Himantopus mexicanus
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus
Common Nighthawk
Chordeiles minor
Common Gallinule
Gallinula galeata
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
Philadelphia Vireo
Vireo philadelphicus
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Orchard Oriole
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Bobwhite
Wild Turkey
Mourning Dove
Black-necked Stilt
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Spotted Sandpiper
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Dunlin
White-rumped Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Birding Tips
- 1
Walk the Wildlife Loop early in the morning before it opens to vehicles for the best birding
- 2
The Tom's Cove area is excellent for shorebirds at low tide from July through September
- 3
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 4
Fall migration (September-October) brings waves of southbound warblers and raptors
- 5
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Assateague Island National Seashore
- NASA Wallops Visitor Center
More in Virginia
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.
Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge
Coastal birding hotspot in Virginia with 222 recorded species.
Virginia Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Virginia →