AUDUBON BIRD WALK AT BETHEL BEACH MONDAY, MARCH 11
On Monday, March 11, the Northern Neck Audubon Society (NNAS) will conduct a
bird walk at 9:00 a.m. at Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve in Mathews County.
Bethel Beach is a sandy, southward pointing spit that separates the eastern
side of Winter Harbor from the Chesapeake Bay. From the beach, one can see
offshore bay waters, tidal lagoons, salt marsh, shrubby swamp, and deeper
channels. Over 185 species of birds have been observed at Bethel Beach,
including 25 species of shore birds. Migration is starting, so possible
sightings include scoters, buffleheads, red-breasted mergansers, horned grebes,
clapper rails, oystercatchers, osprey, ruddy turnstones, and black-bellied
plovers.
GPS coordinates are 37.4106814 / 76.2503958. From the Whitestone/Greys Point
Bridge, it is approximately 27 miles / 40 minutes to Bethel Beach. Directions
from the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula: From Harmony Grove (at the
intersection of Routes 3 & 33 in Middlesex County), turn left. Go 3.3 miles to
Hartfield and turn right onto Route 3 E. Go 4.6 miles (crossing the Twigs
Ferry Bridge into Gloucester County) and turn left at the T intersection onto
Route 198. Go 8.9 miles and turn right onto Route 14 E. Go 0.6 miles and turn
left onto Route 611 (Tabernacle Road). Go 4.3 miles and turn left onto Route
609 (Bethel Beach Road). Go 1.9 miles to the beach.
For cancellations and information about the Northern Neck Audubon Society,
programs and activities, www.northernneckaudubon.org. Any cancelations will be
announced on the website.
