Assateague Island is a favored stopover for literally hundreds of species of birds that use the avian superhighway known as the Atlantic Flyway. The flyway begins in its’ northern extremes in the Canadian Maritimes to the Gulf of Mexico in its’ southernmost point. The birds require the Atlantic flyway in order navigate over the hills and mountains encountered during this flight.
Established in 1943, The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was established in order to provide proper habitats for migrating snow geese. In the process, the Refuge has become one the finest hiking, biking and bird watching destinations on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and in fact, the entire East Coast of the U.S.A.
Assateague Island is just a short jaunt from Chincoteague Island across a small bridge and it is home to a staggering array of wildlife, especially wild birds and waterfowl.
The marshes and woodlands of Assateague are home to over 300 species of birds and the Snow Geese that gather at the Snow Goose Pond number in the thousands in the autumn.
A few of the shorebird species include marsh hens, ibises, herons, egrets, “oyster crackers’ and many more. The loblolly pines are a favorite nesting place for blackbirds, sparrows, nut hatches, and warblers to name a few and let’s not forget the occasional eagle.
The Chincoteague Island National Refuge is a nature lovers’ paradise and a dream-come-true for photographers, both amateur and professional.
The Birding opportunities on this amazing island provide a dramatic landscape for creative imaginations with camera or sketchbook in hand, and even the casual observer will experience a thrilling brush with nature that quickens the pulse and forges an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
