Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- Spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Start birding on nationally famous Assateague Island, along the Atlantic Flyway. The Island's location puts it in the middle of both the northern and southern species migration routes. The Island's ecosystem provides crucial habitat for a variety of species, including raptors, shorebirds, songbirds, waders and waterfowl.
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Step 2
Enjoy birding in the Shenandoah National Park where over 200 resident and transient bird species have been identified. Nearly 100 bird species breed in the park. The park's location also provides Neo tropical migratory birds with critical habitat. The Shenandoah is one of most scenic parks in the eastern states and birding there is a special delight.
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Step 3
Travel along the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail and discover hundreds of birding hot spots. There are three distinct trails: Coastal, Mountain and Piedmont. Each of these trails offers birders distinct habitats to explore with an associated variety of bird species. The diverse habitats of the trails includes barrier islands, cypress swamps, salt marshes, dense hardwood forests, pineland, savannas and open grasslands.
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Step 4
Enjoy birding at the historic Manassas National Battlefield Park and find over 150 species of birds waiting. Manassas Battlefield is an area of rolling hills and grasslands which provides habitat for such interesting bird species as Acadian Flycatchers, Wood Thrush, Prairie Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush.
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Step 5
Print out maps, guides, checklists and directions before starting a Virginia birding trip. This article's resources provide more detailed, up-to-date information on birding locations and upcoming events. Bird watching in Virginia is a very popular hobby and many Virginia birders have tips and information to share.
