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
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Cory's Shearwater
Calonectris borealis
Great Shearwater
Ardenna gravis
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougallii
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
American Oystercatcher
Willet
Laughing Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Least Tern
Black Tern
Common Tern
Royal Tern
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Tree Swallow
Purple Martin
Eastern Meadowlark
Black-bellied Plover
Piping Plover
Marbled Godwit
Short-billed Dowitcher
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Semipalmated 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
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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 →