Bethel Beach is one of the premier birding locations on the Middle Peninsula and of Mathews County. Opportunities to find shorebirds, gulls, wading birds, waterfowl, marsh birds, and even songbirds abound here throughout the year. The winding entrance road passes from farm fields to second growth mixed pine/hardwood forest to tidal salt marsh and is always worth birding thoroughly as time allows. Flocks of passerines are typically found from the farm fields to the second growth forest fall through spring. The road through the marsh has potential to produce a variety of marsh-loving species such as rails; Seaside, Saltmarsh, and Nelson’s Sparrows; herons; egrets; and ibises. The small bridge across the tidal creek just before the parking lot is a good place to stop briefly to scan for waterfowl and wading birds. Once at the parking lot, the typical route is to walk south along the beach towards the elbow and then inland. Shorebirds are often found feeding in the short vegetation along the shoreline near the elbow as well as within the protected cove. The cove itself serves as a refuge for gulls, terns, and shorebirds. Note that during the breeding season most of the cove is roped off to protect the Least Tern nesting colony.
When visiting Bethel, both lighting and tide conditions as well as timing can drastically affect birding productivity. High tides can push rails and marsh sparrows to the road and periphery of the marsh, but it also reduces foraging habitat for shorebirds and wading birds. Lighting for scanning the Chesapeake Bay is optimal in the afternoons whereas viewing the cove area is best in the morning. Being one of the few publicly accessible beaches in Mathews County, Bethel sees substantial foot traffic on warm days and during the weekend.
Accessibility: This 105 acre park is accessible via a small gravel parking area that can accommodate up to 8 or so vehicles. Approximately a half mile of the entrance road runs through salt marsh and is worth birding. From the parking lot, all walking is along the sandy beach. Entrance to the park is free of charge and is allowed from dawn to dusk.
Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
eBird Hotspot: Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve
—Nick Newberry