William & Mary Population Ecology Lab

In the 1970s and 80s, a bird banding operation run by William & Mary professor Ruth Beck produced many interesting records, including a Bewick’s Wren, and Connecticut and Swainson’s Warblers. Since that era the habitat has changed significantly from the overgrown field it once was to a 40-year old forest with thick underbrush. Accordingly, very little birding has taken place here since the banding heydays. Since then, most of the activity here has been by students submitting incidental checklists from the edge of the parking lot on their way to work at the Pop Lab.

Birding in the now-forested area here is still possible but is rarely done since there are no walking paths and the understory brush can be quite dense.

Accessibility: This hotspot refers to the land south and east of the Population Ecology Lab, or “Pop Lab”, which is owned and operated by the College of William & Mary as a research center. The lab is not open to visitors.

Parking is free on the weekends but is enforced from Monday at 7:30 am through Friday at 5 pm by William & Mary Parking and Transportation.

Owner/Manager: The College of William & Mary

eBird Hotspot: William & Mary Population Ecology Lab

—Nick Newberry

Tutters Field

Tutters Field is one of the largest open fields within the City of Williamsburg limits. As such, it holds promise for a variety of field birds that are very challenging to find here. Those that come immediately to mind are Cattle Egret, Eastern Meadowlark, American Woodcock, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Unfortunately, despite many visits throughout the year and at all times of day, none of these hoped for species have yet made an appearance.

From the aforementioned small dirt pull-off, the best strategy for pulling an interesting field bird is to patiently scan the small squared-off wooden fence areas scattered throughout the field. Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Chipping Sparrows have all been observed perching on these structures. A few attempts have been made to look for displaying American Woodcocks between late January and early April, but so far none have been detected. At dusk during winter months an interesting phenomenon has been observed when ducks from Tutters Neck Pond fly over the parking lot on their way to roost elsewhere (presumably in the tidal marshes of the lower College Creek) and are lit up from underneath by the parking lot lights, making identification of several species of ducks much easier than if only seen in silhouette.

Accessibility: Tutters Field, as it is colloquially called, is privately owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and used as a refuge for Colonial Williamsburg’s hard working draft horses. Because it is actively used, no public access is allowed within the gated area. Viewing is permitted from outside the fence and there is a convenient dirt pull-off at the beginning of the gravel/dirt road that runs down to Tutters Neck Pond.

Owner/Manager: Colonial Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Tutters Field

—Nick Newberry

Maynard Drive Power Line Cut

The powerline right-of-way has somewhat unexpectedly become one of the most interesting and productive hotspots in the City of Williamsburg for a wide variety of species. Perhaps most interestingly, it is situated along a morning commuting route for gulls during the winter, which has made it the most reliable location in the City for both Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls. The greatest movement is typically within an hour of sunrise. Where the gulls are coming from and going to isn’t clear. There may also be an afternoon movement here but not enough survey effort during the winter months has been put forth to determine if this is the case. The best strategy for viewing the gulls is to wait near the parking area until they fly over; a scope may be helpful. The hope is for a Lesser Black-backed Gull to one day be recorded here. Also in the atypical powerline cut species department, what may be the only regularly nesting Osprey in the city limits is found on the large transmission tower right next to the parking lot.

More typical for powerline cuts, several early successional species can be reliably found here that are difficult to find elsewhere within the corporate limits of Williamsburg. During the summer months, these species include Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Wild Turkey (a nest was found here once). In the fall, sparrows abound here with over 100 individuals of several species (White-throated, Song, Swamp, Field, and Chipping) being reliably found. Someday a White-crowned or Lincoln’s may show up here so keep an eye out for them. Additionally, 12 species of warblers (highlighted by Nashville, Cape May and Louisiana Waterthrush) have been recorded here, although it is likely that quite a few more will be recorded with additional survey effort. From mid-October through at least November a surprising number of lingering neotropical migrants have been found here. This list includes Red-eyed Vireo (10/24/2018), Nashville Warbler (10/22/2017), Magnolia Warbler (11/1/2019), Traill’s Flycatcher (10/15/2017), and 2 Common Nighthawks (10/10/2018).

A small marshy area about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot often holds the lion’s share of the Swamp Sparrows. This wet spot may one day host a Sedge or Marsh Wren.

The boundary between the City of Williamsburg and York County is approximately 1/3rd of a mile from the parking lot, just past the marshy area.

Accessibility: The land here is owned by a mix of private entities (including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation), however access to the public is permitted. Many people who work nearby take advantage of this powerline cut for lunchtime walks. The best parking option is typically to find a spot in the parking lot at the entrance to the powerline cut. The parking here belongs to the landowner of the small business park here, however there are often ample spaces where the odd birder or two can park without issue.The easement is maintained through periodic brush cutting by Dominion Energy.

eBird Hotspot: Maynard Drive Power Line Cut

—Nick Newberry

Riverside Doctors' Hospital Pond

On the eastern side of the Riverside Doctors’ Hospital is a drainage pond that can sometimes be a good birding spot. In the winter, occasionally waterfowl such as Buffleheads will drop in here, but it is not among the best spots for ducks in Williamsburg. Its real draw is as a spot for migrating shorebirds. When the water levels in the pond are low, there are usually exposed muddy banks that make it one of the better spots to find species including Spotted, Solitary, Least, and Pectoral Sandpiper, as well as yellowlegs. Following heavy rains, the water levels will sometimes be too high for shorebirds to drop in. Besides searching for shorebirds, there are breeding Red-headed Woodpeckers nearby, and they can often be seen or heard from the pond. It is also a good spot for swallows, including Purple Martins, during the appropriate season.

About 100 yards away further along the road is a small cattail marsh. This marsh has yet to produce any true marsh species, however it is worth checking for rails and other marsh species on any visit here.

Note: While the majority of the pond is in the City of Williamsburg, the northeastern edge of the water is in James City County. The open field adjacent to the pond is almost entirely in James City County.

Accessibility: At the south end of the pond is a gravel pull-off where birders can park to scan the water and banks. It is ok to park here and walk the edges of the pond, but often a quick scan from the car is all that is necessary to see any birds on the pond.

eBird Hotspot: Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Pond

—Matt Anthony and Nick Newberry

Redoubt Park

Redoubt Park consists of a small parking area and an associated trail system that involves a single loop trail that winds up and down through steep ravines. This hotspot has never been a popular birding location in the City of Williamsburg, which is probably not fair since it accesses the second largest woodland patch in the City (other than the College Woods) and backs up to Tutters Pond. More attention here may turn up a Kentucky Warbler or some other goodie. The parking lot in and of itself is worth a quick stop if in the area.

From the City of Williamsburg website describing the park, “Redoubt Park, located on Quarterpath Road, was dedicated on May 5, 2007 to celebrate the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Williamsburg. The two redoubts, #1 and #2, preserved in Redoubt Park, were built by soldiers and slaves to guard Quarterpath Road and the right flank of the Williamsburg Line overlooking Tutters’ Mill Pond. On May 5, 1862, the Williamsburg Line was the scene of a battle with over 3800 Union and Confederate casualties. This inconclusive engagement left the Union in control of the Virginia Peninsula. These fortifications remain a stark tribute to those who served, defining America’s future.”

Accessibility: Open year round from sunrise to sunset with free parking for at least a dozen vehicles.

Owner/Manager: City of Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Redoubt Park

—Nick Newberry

Quarterpath Park

This 23-acre park is catered towards recreational uses, including lighted softball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, and a picnic shelter. It backs up to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Course and several dozen acres of associated woodland. Birding effort here has been scant and therefore not many species (just over 50 as of January 2020) have been recorded. With that said, the extensive habitat that borders the park and the amount of scrubby edge here indicate that with some effort a decent passerine list of migrants and wintering birds may be assembled for this hotspot. The major wooded edge here is east facing so may be particularly productive in the morning.

Accessibility: Open year round from sunrise to sundown. Free parking with handicap spots is available.

Owner/Manager: City of Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Quarterpath Park

—Nick Newberry

Quarterpath Nature Trail

This is a fairly typical woodland trail with the most productive birding being during morning migration days. As of December 2019, it runs through a large contiguous patch of largely deciduous woodland, however it appears as though much of this area is slated for residential development so that may not be the case for much longer. The trailhead nearest the hospital has hosted a family of Red-headed Woodpeckers during at least one summer.

Accessibility: Free parking can be found at the Quarterpath Apartments complex. No hours are posted for this trail, although it is assumed to be open to the public from sunrise to sunset. There are two entrances to the Quarterpath Nature Trail. The first is located at the northwest turn off of the roundabout nearest the hospital. The second trailhead can be found at the end of Redoubt Road.

eBird Hotspot: Quarterpath Nature Trail

—Nick Newberry

Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis Park is 27 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, a picnic shelter, and a 9-station exercise course surrounded by developed urban areas, residential neighborhoods, and approximately 30 acres of mixed hardwood forest. As is apparent from the description, this park chiefly caters to athletics and other non-wildlife focused activities. With that in mind, early morning or mid-winter when these activities are out of season are often the only productive times of year to bird here.

While at face value this park may not appear to be worth visiting, it does show some promise for species like Orange-crowned Warbler or a stray wintering passerine due to the scrubby nature of the field edges and the large woodland which it backs up to. Also worth noting is that several nearby houses have feeder setups, which seems to up the density of passerines in general, particularly along the northern edge of the park. One feeder set up in particular abuts the park along its northern border where a short path connects the neighborhoods to Kiwanis Park. During good finch winters Purple Finch and Pine Siskin should be kept in mind.

The neighborhoods outside of the park are worth walking if interested in that kind of birding. The density of feeders is quite high and an Orange-crowned Warbler was found frequenting one of the streets for at least a month during the winter of 2017 (2/11/2017).

Accessibility: Open year round from sunrise to sunset. Parking is free and includes handicap-accessible spaces.

eBird Hotspot: Kiwanis Park

Owner/Manager: City of Williamsburg

—Nick Newberry

John Tyler Drainage Pond

Often a casual glance is all that is needed to bird this pond, as the most frequent birds one will see there are resident Mallards and Canada Geese. Other species, including Wood Ducks and Bufflehead, occasionally drop in, and the pond is worth a quick check in winter. The muddy edges can also be good for migrating shorebirds, particularly Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers. There is a small mudflat in the southeast corner of the pond which occasionally has shorebirds, and on at least one occasion a Greater Yellowlegs (4/24/2017) was at this spot. One spring a Cattle Egret was photographed foraging in the grass on the James City County side of the pond (4/23/2017). Those birders concerned with county boundaries should take note that while much of the pond is in the City of Williamsburg, a small portion of the western edge is in James City County.

Accessibility: At the intersection of John Tyler Lane and VA-5 (John Tyler Highway) is a small drainage pond which is also viewable from VA-199. On John Tyler Lane at the southeast end of the pond is a gravel pull-off where birders can park to view the water.

eBird Hotspot: John Tyler Drainage Pond

—Matt Anthony

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg with its extensive and heavily-landscaped grounds presents a different style of birding than many other local areas. Within its premises are several locations that have proven productive for a variety of different species over the years. The periphery of this historical complex is often the most productive for birding, due both to its lower density of tourists and more extensive vegetation. However, early morning trips before foot traffic increases can yield some interesting species in the more developed interior of CW, as well. Notably, the northern catalpa trees (Catalpa speciosa) lining the green in front of the Governor’s Palace catch the early morning light in spring and fall before most of the rest of CW and can be an excellent spot to find passerine migrants on chilly mornings. Nearby, at the Governor’s Palace there is a small pond that occasionally hosts Hooded Mergansers in the winter months. Even more notably here, however, are a pair of out-of-season warbler records from here. A Nashville Warbler (12/9/2016) and an American Redstart (12/7/2019) were both found foraging in some of the same bushes and trees in early winter. The Nashville was found associating with a large mixed-species flock while the Redstart was found foraging on its own, as seems to be typical of this species when found in the winter season. Several regular birders here have hypothesized that the combination of dense brush and the pond provide enough shelter and insects late into the fall for it to attract out-of-season neotropical migrants. This is the only pond in Colonial Williamsburg. That said, there are usually several mixed passerine flocks spread throughout CW from fall through spring, which have hosted interesting passerines like Black-and-white Warbler (12/9/2016) and Blue-headed Vireo. Finding these flocks typically requires some searching, but when found, playing some sort of mob or screech-owl tape often reveals dozens of individual passerines of several species.

Also worth noting, there are several fields throughout Colonial Williamsburg that are often occupied by livestock. While no interesting birds for the City of Williamsburg have yet been recorded at these fields, they are nonetheless worth checking for challenging local species like Cattle Egret (April through early May), Vesper or Savannah Sparrow, Glossy Ibis, Eastern Meadowlark, American Woodcock, or Wilson’s Snipe.

Notable species for the hotspot not yet mentioned include, 17 flyover Glossy Ibis (4/28/2016), Northern Bobwhite (8/11/1982), Least Flycatcher (5/18/1984), Eastern Meadowlark (5/8/1994), and Rusty Blackbird (1/25/2017).

Accessibility: The publically accessible portion of the grounds are open to visitors year round at all times of day and night. Several areas, including the Governor’s Palace, are only available to ticketed patrons. Tickets can be purchased on-site or online and can be quite pricey. Handicap-accessible parking locations and facilities are available throughout Colonial Williamsburg.

Owner/Manager: Colonial Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Colonial Williamsburg

—Nick Newberry

Cedar Grove Cemetery

With its towering willow oaks and mix of native and ornamental plantings, Cedar Grove Cemetery is an excellent green space to seek out transient and wintering passerines. The edges of this City-owned cemetery have played host to many interesting birds over the years including Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Chat and Purple Finch. Up until 2015 it hosted displaying American Woodcocks on late winter and early spring evenings, however modifications to the old landfill behind the cemetery seem to have put a stop to this. The City of Williamsburg’s only two records of Mississippi Kite have come from here many years apart suggesting that there may be an undiscovered nesting pair nearby.

Accessibility: The three entrances to Cedar Grove Cemetery can be found along North Henry Street and remain accessible throughout the year at all times of day or night. Much of the birding here can be done from the network of paved roads found throughout the site. Parking is limited to a small area by the shed in the southeastern corner of the cemetery and along the sides of the paved roads.

Owner/Manager: City of Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Cedar Grove Cemetery

—Nick Newberry

Bassett Hall Nature Trail

The Bassett Hall Nature trail is a fixture of Williamsburg birding. This single track dirt path winds through scrubby edge, woodland, swamp, riparian and open pond habitats meaning the list of species recorded here is vast and varied. The area around the trailhead is typically very birdy at all times of year and should not be breezed past on any birding trip here; mid-winter Blue-headed Vireos have been found here on more than one occasion (1/23/2015, 1/2/2019). The next portion of the trail winds through deciduous woodland and is excellent for warblers (Hooded, Black-and-white, and Worm-eating to name a few) and thrushes from April through October. A wooded swamp found about a half mile into the walk has been known to be a reliable location for Red-headed Woodpeckers year round and breeding Louisiana Waterthrushes. Continuing on, two ponds associated with the Golden Horseshoe Golf Course are found.

Accessibility: The parking area at the trailhead is shared with the adjacent Inn and can be accessed at anytime throughout the day and year. The trail is single-track dirt with some short steep hills. Access here is free and does not require a Colonial Williamsburg access pass.

Owner/Manager: Colonial Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Bassett Hall Nature Trail

—Nick Newberry

College Landing Park

College Landing Park has the year-round potential for good birding and provides the only access to tidal water in the City of Williamsburg. During winter months a scope is helpful for scanning upstream areas for waterfowl, such as Green-winged Teal. Winter evenings spent on the boardwalk often provide the opportunity to see hundreds of waterfowl flying from areas upstream to roosting locations elsewhere. Along with the obvious areas to bird, a careful crossing of the street to the marsh on the other side of the road can occasionally provide views of Wood Duck and other species that prefer marshes (maybe a Least Bittern someday). Spring and Fall migration often bring many migrant passerines to this riparian park and in winter the scrub around the edges of the water can house Kinglets or the odd Catbird. Additionally, during the spring Terns and large flocks of Swallows can often be seen here, both difficult groups to find anywhere else in the City. In the summer of 2016 a pair of Cliff Swallows was seen nesting under the 199 bridge, however they have not been seen in subsequent years despite careful searching. Unfortunately, despite diligent searching, the low tide mud flats have yet to produce any peeps although both Yellowlegs species and Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers have been seen here.

Note: All immediate areas fall within the City of Williamsburg, however everything downstream of the 199 bridge is in James City County.

Accessibility: This small park is accessible via a central parking area that can accommodate approximately 15 vehicles. From there, there is a handicap accessible boardwalk that leads a couple hundred feet into the brackish, tidal marsh. Entrance to the park is free of charge and is allowed from dawn to dusk. For those interested in birding by canoe or kayak, there is a small boat ramp (beware the extreme low tides here which can make it difficult to launch any craft that sits more than a couple inches below the water).

Owner/Manager: City of Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: College Landing Park

—Matt Anthony and Nick Newberry

College of William and Mary

The campus has three identifiable sections, colloquially referred to by students as Ancient, Old, and New Campuses. Ancient Campus, on the eastern side near Merchant’s Square, is the part most frequently visited by tourists due to the presence of the historic Wren Building. This area is largely open, well-maintained lawns with scattered trees which occasionally attract migrants. In winter, large flocks of Cedar Waxwings often gather here to feast on holly berries, while in summer the gardens by the President’s house usually have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The middle section of campus is organized around the Sunken Garden, a large open lawn where students often congregate in nice weather. The open view from the Sunken Garden makes it a good place to watch the sky, both for migrating raptors and aerial insectivores like Chimney Swifts and, if one is lucky, migrating Common Nighthawks. Some of the best birding to be had on campus is on the western portion. Between the Sadler Center and Swem Library is a wooded section with walking paths that connects the Crim Dell gardens to Ukrop Way. Walking these paths on spring mornings can be a good way to encounter migrant warblers, vireos, and tanagers. This section also typically hosts several Barred Owls, which can often be heard calling to each other at night. One of the main draws of birding on campus is the presence each winter of a flock of 300+ Rusty Blackbirds. The flock tends to move around erratically on campus, but is frequently encountered on the lawn in front of Swem Library; by DuPont Hall; near the fraternity houses opposite Kaplan Arena; or in the wet areas between Swem and Sadler Center.

Accessibility: The College of William & Mary campus is centrally located within the City of Williamsburg, and conveniently accessible from most parts of the City. Visitors should note, however, that parking on campus is strictly enforced during the week and fines can be quite hefty. Those looking to bird on campus will want to stop first at Parking Services to purchase a visitor’s pass, except on Saturday or Sunday when parking in Faculty/Staff and Day Student spaces is free and unrestricted. The campus is also easily accessible via a short walk from public parking areas in Merchant’s Square and street parking on Richmond Road.

Owner/Manager: College of William & Mary

eBird Hotspot: College of William and Mary

—Matt Anthony

Matoaka Lake & Woods

Lake Matoaka is one of the main places in the City of Williamsburg to find waterfowl. The main portion of the lake is easily viewable where Jamestown Road crosses the dam. This portion is where the lake is widest, and in winter is often where groups of Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebes, and occasionally other species can be observed. However, Jamestown Road often gets high volumes of traffic, and stopping here is not advised. Matoaka can also be viewed from multiple points along the trails in College Woods. The dock behind the Keck Environmental Field Lab is another good point to view the lake, and is often where Gadwall, and Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal are found. Matoaka is also one of the last lakes in the area to remain open during freezing conditions. Under the right conditions, particularly when all but a small portion of the lake freezes, large concentrations and diversity of waterfowl can be seen here. Species such as Redhead, Common Merganser, Northern Shoveler and other difficult species in the City have been found under these conditions. The trails on the east side of Matoaka (or “Near Side,” as William & Mary students call it) can sometimes be productive for migrants, including the vegetation mats north of Keck, which occasionally attract Solitary Sandpipers, yellowlegs, and egrets. The area around the Keck Lab has also recently hosted probable breeding Prothonotary Warblers, a species that is not recorded on campus all years. For migrant passerines, however, the best area is the more extensive collection of trails west of the lake, or “Far Side.” These trails allow for deeper penetration into College Woods, and are an excellent place to find warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. The College Woods are also excellent for Catharus thrushes, and it is not uncommon to find good counts of all expected species on a day of spring birding. Far Side also hosts nesting Great Horned Owls most years.

Accessibility: The woods surrounding Lake Matoaka, on the campus of the College of William & Mary, contain over 10 miles of trails that were originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trails are generally well maintained, and a full trail map can be found on the William & Mary website linked above. However, the trails can occasionally become blocked by downed branches and there are some wet spots that may be difficult to pass after rain. The Matoaka Trails have a number of access points, including the Matoaka Amphitheater parking lot; the Keck Environmental Field Laboratory; the trailhead on Compton Drive; and the School of Education. Visitors should be advised that all access points are on the campus of William & Mary, and parking on campus is strictly enforced with violators subject to heavy fines. Parking in Faculty/Staff or Day Student spaces is free and available to anyone on Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone wishing to park on campus during the week should check in with Parking Services to purchase a day pass.

Owner/Manager: College of William & Mary

eBird Hotspot: Matoaka Lake & Woods

—Matt Anthony

Tutters Neck Pond

Tutters Neck Pond is primarily of interest in winter, when it is one of the main locations in the City to find wintering waterfowl. The species most frequently seen are Ring-necked Duck, Gadwall, and Hooded Merganser, all of which are often seen in large numbers. However, the pond sometimes holds other species, and diligent scanning of the ducks here may yield American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, or other species. Other waterbirds such as Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot are also possible. In migration, shorebirds including Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs have been seen, but Tutters is not generally a good location for shorebirds. The surrounding woods frequently have typical woodland species such as woodpeckers and nuthatches. In winter, it is a good place to find the winter woodland suite, while in summer species such as Red-eyed Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher, and other interior woodland breeders are present. Locally uncommon breeders including Prothonotary Warbler and Warbling Vireo have been recorded here, but they are not regular. The habitat is also appropriate for Anhinga, which has not yet been recorded in the City, but has been found in similar locations further down the Lower Peninsula. Tutters Neck Pond has a historic record of Purple Gallinule from 1967.

Accessibility: This pond is most easily accessible from Quarterpath Road, which runs across the dam and allows for a good view of the water. Parts of the water that are not visible from Quarterpath can be seen from Battery Boulevard, but views here are difficult and largely obscured. Quarterpath Road at the dam is wide, and very infrequently traveled, so pulling off to the side for viewing is easily accomplished. However, be aware that the road is very poorly maintained and may not be advisable in all vehicles. It has a number of extremely deep potholes, and the steep gradient going down to Tutters Pond is also not advisable for many vehicles under snowy conditions.

eBird Hotspot: Tutters Neck Pond

—Matt Anthony