Lake Mattamuskeet at Sunset
VSO will host a trip to points east on December 4-6, 2026. If most of your Eastern Virginia birding has been at Chincoteague, this is a great opportunity to see other hot spots. We hope to spot a number of our winter birds and ducks. Last year, we saw Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, Cooper’s Hawk and Osprey. There were American Oystercatchers, Common Loons, Dunlin, Willets and Greater Yellowlegs, Tundra Swans and Snow Geese.
VERY Important! As always, field trips are open to all VWO members whose dues are current . If you have not renewed your dues or have not joined yet, you can RENEW or JOIN here!
REGISTER: Registration will begin on October 20, 2026. Registration for the Tram Ride is on a first come/first serve basis. Other parts of the trip do not have a fixed limit. Due to parking limitations at some sites, car pooling is encouraged.
To register for the trip, email Rebecca at currinrw@gmail.com using the subject line: VSO December Bird Trip. Indicate whether you want to register for the Tram Ride only, or which portion(s) of the trip you plan to attend and the number in your party.
SCHEDULE: Friday, December 4. We will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a Tram Ride through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to False Cape State Park. The Tram Ride is limited to 20 people and will cost $15/person, payable in cash that morning. Exact change is greatly appreciated.
After the ride, we will break for lunch and then gather at Pleasure House Point, 3857 Marlin Bay Drive, Virginia Beach, at 2:00 p.m. Depending on birds and weather, we may move from there to Rudee Inlet.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, we will meet at the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center parking lot at 8:30. We will bird there and then move up the shore to various hot spots including Kiptopeke State Park, Edward S. Brinkley Nature Preserve, and Box Tree Marsh, ending the day at the Chincoteague NWR Wildlife Loop at 3:00.
Sunday December 6. After a trip to check out Tom’s Cove, we will head south to Willis Wharf on our way home.
LODGING AND MEALS. Arrange your own lodging and meals.
Questions? If you have questions or want more information, please call or text field trip coordinator Rebecca Currin at (804) 405-5421.
Thanks to Lee Adams for her assistance in trip planning.