Chill in Virginia force not seem like the most enjoyable time to stay, but for birdwatchers, waterfowl enthusiasts and photographers, the season is an brilliant time to explore the outdoors.
Among the most common chill birds seen are mallards, black ducks, pintail, teal, shovelers, buffleheads, mergansers, goldeneye, scaup, Canada geese, brant, snow geese, trumpeter swans, herons, egrets and gulls. In addition to waterfowl and songbirds, scenery enthusiasts may spot whitetail deer, muskrats, otters and other wildlife.
Time of day is an vital consideration when going on a chill birdwatching excursion. The early morning is one of the best times to see and photograph waterfowl and other wildlife. Some areas are open at all times, but most parks and refuges have limited hours which dictate the start of scenery expeditions. Once inside a likely area, visitors can explore beaches, wildlife loops or scenery trails.
Around sunset is another excellent time to see waterfowl such as ducks, geese, brant and swans. Birdwatchers can seek out likely areas beforehand and be in place to see waterfowl go in large flocks en route to their nightly roosting areas.
Among the best areas to see ducks, geese, swans, herons, egrets and birds of prey are the wildlife refuges along the Virginia Coast, including Chincoteague, Eastern Coast Of Virginia, Fisherman Island and Fantastic Dismal Swamp Inhabitant Wildlife Refuges. These areas of waterfowl habitat allow photographers and birdwatchers a chance to take a silent walk and see birds, mammals and other wildlife undisturbed.
Several refuges have waterlogged aquatic vegetation which attracts ducks such as teal, mallards, black ducks, pintail, shovelers, ruddy ducks and others. Many of these areas include sandbars and marshy areas where snow geese congregate by the hundreds or thousands. Canals and smaller impoundments also attract ducks, herons, egrets, coots and other shorebirds.
Not to be overlooked by Virginia birdwatching enthusiasts are outlooks such as piers and bridges. Many of these structures offer brilliant views of the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean, with a variety of geese, brant, ducks and other birds feeding nearby. Chill beach walkers will also find a variety of birds and wildlife, with sandpipers, gulls and ocean going bird sightings life common.
Virginia fishing piers and bridges include structures such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Virginia Beach, Ocean View and Small Island fishing piers.
The author is an outdoor aficionado and? writes content for several outdoor websites including Chincoteague Island Virginia, Virginia Beach VA and Hampton Roads Virginia.
