Quick look at Eastern Shore

We’ve continued to work out way north and now find ourselves at the Eastern Shores of Virginia NWR and Kiptopeke State Park in Cape Charles. Before we take a look at the preserves, however, we’ll check into our quarters for the night. At the motel, I’m greeted by a number of Barn swallows sweeping over our heads. Turns out, they have built their nest on the side of the building and seem to be quite comfortable with all the guests checking in and out of their rooms just below their mud and grass structures.

Barn swallow - Shore Stays Inn - 4/25/26

After grabbing a few quick images of our swallows, I head down to Kiptopeke State Park where according to eBird 5 whimbrels were spotted this morning. What a great photo op that would be! I check in to the park and having never been at this location before enquire as to where the best birding spots might be found. Turns out the fellow at the check-in kiosk is not a birder and has absolutely no clue as to where I should be looking. eBird did say the site was located near the fishing pier and my check-in person could send me in that direction. When I got there, it was busy with local fishermen and bathers, and I had the feeling that the reports of the whimbrels were definitely from early this morning and those birds had been chased off by the folks now taking over the sandy beaches. I did get a couple shots of a Greater black-back and Herring gull, but other than that, the pickings were pretty slim.

Great black-backed gull - Kiptopeke State Park - 4/25/26d

Second-winter (?) Herring gull -Kiptopeke State Park - 4/25/26

Next, I took a nice stroll down a well constructed boardwalk called the Wood Warbler Trail. The boardwalk was well constructed, but not well named. I found White-eyed vireos and Northern cardinals, but not a single warbler. Too late in the season or too late in the day? Pretty walk, but not very productive.

The end of the “Wood Warbler Trail” - Kiptopeke SP - 4/25/26

Finished the day with a quick run over to Easter Shores of Virginia NWR in the hopes of finding some waders and shorebirds. The water level was higher than I ever remember it being in my few visits in the past. Came across a couple of Willets, a Great blue heron and a couple of gulls. This mature Herring gull set amongst the grasses and pilings made for a pleasant image to end the day. Tomorrow, it’s back to New York and the beginning of our warber season. Never a dull moment. It’s been a wonderful winter down in Florida, but the seasons have changed and brought with those changes new birds to chase and to photograph. Looking forward to an exciting new spring and summer full of new birds, butterflies, bees and more.

Herring gull - Eastern Shores of Virginia NWR - 4/25/26