City of Chesapeake

Green Heron, © David Gibson

When I read Virginia Birds, the Virginia Society of Ornithology's quarterly journal of bird sightings, I assume I'll see few reports from the city of Chesapeake, part of the Coastal Region. And when I look at the daily "Snow Goose to Dickcissel" eBird Virginia Rare Bird Alert, I never expect to see Chesapeake mentioned at all. Why the low expectations? Even though 250 species, including rarities like the Gray Kingbird, have been observed within the city's borders, it's unheralded as a birding destination and is underbirded. Thus, few reports from the city make it onto either list. I have some guesses as to why.

First, Chesapeake, an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is relatively new. The area that is now Chesapeake had been part of Norfolk County since the colonial period. George Washington visited there in 1763 and oversaw the surveying of what is now the Great Dismal Swamp. Construction of the northern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal began there in 1793. The Revolutionary War Battle of Great Bridge took place there in 1775. But it wasn't until January 1, 1963 that the city of Chesapeake, named after the Chesapeake Indians, came into being. It was established with the merger of the city of South Norfolk and what remained of Norfolk County.

Second, Chesapeake isn't coastal, unlike the surrounding Hampton Roads communities of Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. It's situated along the western and southern branches of the Elizabeth River, a Chesapeake Bay tidal tributary. And the Southern Branch is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, as is the Dismal Swamp Canal. But the city isn't coastal.

Third, Chesapeake as a whole doesn't enjoy a great reputation among birders. Though much of the area was at one time rural—small villages surrounded by farmland—the railroads and the river brought residential development, business, industry, commerce, and pollution to a good portion of it. The railroads and the river brought shipbuilding and military facilities, too. The industrialized and heavily trafficked Southern Branch, along whose banks were perhaps the biggest environmental offenders: wood-treating creosote plants, became one of the most polluted waterways on the East Coast. That branch and the entire river are now being restored, thanks to the efforts of the Elizabeth River Project and its many partners. And the whole system may eventually become fishable, swimmable, and "oysterable." But many still associate Chesapeake with some of the problems and pressures above.

Truth be told, though, the city with its abundant natural resources is a great place to bird. Part of the reason is that the Elizabeth River, once presumed dead, is coming back to life. Some of the river's wetlands are coming back to life, too. The "wounded and dirty lady" is recovering. As a result, birds and other wildlife that were once largely absent from the river and environs have returned. I think first and foremost of Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Brown Pelicans. But I also think of Common Loons that appear now during spring migration in the waters off Money Point (a former dead zone), and Seaside and Saltmarsh Sparrows that visit the marsh there. I also think of Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks that breed in the uplands at Money Point. This year, during spring migration, those same uplands hosted a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, a Yellow-breasted Chat, and a large and noisy flock of migrating Bobolinks. The Bobolinks arrived just as the wintering Savannah Sparrows were leaving. Savannah Sparrows winter in few other places in Hampton Roads. I also think of the late winter and early spring 2021 Southern Branch "pelican parade."

When I think of birding Chesapeake, I think not only of Money Point and the Southern Branch but of Indian River Park. I think of it because it's a great example of Chesapeake's open spaces and because birding there is emblematic of so much of Chesapeake birding. I'll explain. I bird the power line corridor and woods there and never see other birders. There's noise from traffic, from the power lines, and from a subdivision going up. There's also noise from Cox Communications and the dealerships nearby. But, there's always great potential for great birds. Like so many other Chesapeake birding hotpsots, the park is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle. That's due in no small part to the efforts of the Friends of Indian River to restore native habitat. Among other park birds I have seen, I've had a Western Tanager, a pair of Connecticut Warblers, a Tennessee Warbler, and many Eastern U.S. thrushes. During the spring of 2021, a Red-shouldered Hawk pair set up house in a loblolly pine, of all places, and successfully raised three young. Other birds seen at the park include Winter Wren, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Orchard Oriole, and both waterthrushes.

Not too far from Indian River Park is Lakeside Park, a park sandwiched between a middle school and a busy city road. I think of that park, too, when I think of birding Chesapeake. It's another urban oasis. Birders have tallied close to 100 species there. The 11-acre park, a stormwater control pond on much of its footprint, is not only a bird and wildlife hotspot. It also plays host to one of the few readily accessible Green Heron colonial nesting sites in Hampton Roads, if not on the East Coast. My guess is that on average, a dozen Green Heron nests go up each spring in the trees on the east side, and each nest produces several young. Peak activity occurs there from mid-June to the end of July. It's a must-see place during that time. But it's a must-see place at other times, too. For instance, had I not visited at other times I would have missed the Warbling Vireo and the Painted Bunting.

Speaking of parks, Chesapeake has more than 80 in its system, including larger district parks and smaller neighborhood parks. A number of those, which include Indian River and Lakeside, are eBird Hotspots and great places to bird. Two that stand out are the 763-acre Northwest River Park and the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. The Canal Trail, directly adjacent to what is now the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, is prime birding real estate, especially during spring migration. It's interesting to note that about 40% of the refuge, considered a national treasure, is in Chesapeake. Not to be missed while on the Canal Trail on spring mornings is a trip down Douglas Road. After mid-April, breeding and singing Swainson's Warblers are regulars there. Over 200 bird species have occurred on the refuge, and about 100 breed within its borders.

Chesapeake not only has a great park system, but the city is also actively involved in conserving land to preserve the city's character, benefit the public, and provide critical habitat for wildlife. That bodes well for birders. For example, with a green light from the city, the Living River Trust, a local land trust and an Elizabeth River Project sister non-profit, donated 500 acres of Chesapeake land that was slated to become an industrial park to the Great Dismal Swamp NWR. That land could become open space in the not-too-distant future.

Not far from the refuge, and once part of the Great Dismal Swamp, is the 3,800-acre Cavalier Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It, too, is prime birding real estate and an especially good place to find neotropical migrants. Visitors are required to purchase a Restore the Wild Membership or possess a current Virginia hunting, fishing, or boating license. This WMA, which extends to the North Carolina border, is a reliable place to find and hear the near-threatened Northern Bobwhite during spring and early summer. Park at the southernmost end of the main road—and listen. Other birds of note that are found there are the Swainson's Warbler and American Pipit.

If you decide to bird Chesapeake, (which I'm encouraging you to do!), make sure you take time to visit the entire Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail South Chesapeake Loop. The loop is part of a state-wide network of bird and wildlife viewing sites. Both Northwest River Park and the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail are destinations along the loop, as is that "hidden gem": the Chesapeake Arboretum. Cavalier WMA will become a destination soon. The loop begins in the heart of the city and not far from another park, eBird Hotspot, and great place to walk: Bells Mill Park. Now, if you'd rather bird Chesapeake virtually and from the comfort of home, please visit the Elizabeth River Bird Blog. From 2018 to the present (August 2021), the blog's focus has been on Chesapeake and Chesapeake birds.

—David Gibson

Addendum

Laura Mae, a Chesapeake resident and fellow birder, tipped me off back in 2019 about the Green Heron activity at Lakeside Park. I'm forever grateful. I've spent I don't know how many enjoyable hours watching, learning about, and photographing those birds. A preening juvenile is featured above. It was on the old observation deck. When I told her toward the end of 2020 that I'd been asked to write a piece about birding Chesapeake, I also reached out to her for her thoughts. She wasted no time in sending me this, and I've decided to include it here. Note that she confirms some of what I wrote, while adding her own special take.

Chesapeake truly is an underbirded gem, whether a birder is looking for diversity, record setting, or simply to enjoy nature. In addition to the Elizabeth River, Chesapeake offers spring and fall migrating species in what is likely one of the largest swaths of undeveloped land on the East Coast: The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Chesapeake also has acres and acres of agricultural fields, which host thousands of migrating waterfowl. A record 7,500 migrating Snow Geese were photographed in Chesapeake two winters ago. The city’s website advertises more than 80 city parks.

I'm quite certain many rare birds touch down here and go undetected because birders skip Chesapeake and focus on Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore. However, according to eBird, 2020 has been a banner year for Chesapeake. Despite the pandemic, Chesapeake has already had seven “first seen ever” birds. That includes the Gray Kingbird seen on New Year’s Day. By comparison, fewer “first seen ever” birds were reported in surrounding communities. Similarly, in 2020, eBird shows that more than 50 high-count records were set in Chesapeake.

Special thanks to Laura Mae, Rogard Ross, Lynn Jordan, Jessica Ruthenberg, Casey Shaw, Chris Lowie, and Jim Kushlan for their help. After reading a draft, Chris sent me this: “Wow, there is a lot of great information in here and makes me want to become a birder!!!” Mission accomplished.

Hotspots

stakeout hotspots

Sources