Karen and Others,
After posting my report on our Chincoteague weekend the other day, I
realized that I should have included the location of Willis Wharf, where we
saw the Marbled Godwits, for those who might not be familiar with the area.
Since I have already had one inquiry about its location, I am posting this
note for all who might be traveling to the VA Eastern Shore and would like to
stop there.
Willis Wharf is located at the northern end of Northampton County, the
southern of the 2 counties on the Eastern Shore. It is about 2 miles east of
Exmore, and about 30 miles north of the CBBT. To reach Willis Wharf from
U.S. Route 13, take Bus. 13 into Exmore, and then Rt. 603 (Willis Wharf Road)
east to the town of Willis Wharf. The inlet is just across from the post
office, which will be on your left. We usually turn left into the drive just
beyond the post office and park at the edge of the inlet. From the post
office, you can also continue around to the right, go over a small bridge,
and then turn into the town park and boat dock on your left.
We found the godwits and other shorebirds from both locations last week,
but everything depends on the tides. When I stopped there last Friday, on
the way up to Chincoteague, it was high tide, all the flats were covered, and
the godwits and other shorebirds were nowhere to be seen. When we stopped
Sunday morning, the mudflats in the inlet were exposed and full of godwits
and other shorebirds. From the boat dock/park area, the exposed area along
the edge of the channel was practically wall-to-wall birds. The best time to
go is when the tide is in just enough that flats in the inlet are exposed but
the flats farther out are covered, so that the birds are concentrated in the
inlet. A scope is definitely recommended if you have one.
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
