Jockey's Neck Pond

This large pond forms the centerpiece of The Vineyards at Jockey’s Neck, an upscale housing development that backs up to the Williamsburg Winery. Essentially a winter-only birding spot, this pond can be phenomenal for waterfowl under the right conditions. It is usually one of the last lakes to freeze over, so it can be remarkably productive after a deep freeze when ducks have few open bodies of water to congregate on. The list of waterfowl reported here is quite impressive, and includes some species which are locally uncommon: Wood Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Hooded Merganser. The pond is best viewed from either the clubhouse, or Jockey’s Neck Road where it crosses the dam; between these two vantage points it is possible to see most of the water. While waterfowl are the main draw, the surrounding wooded neighborhood is a great area to encounter mixed winter feeding flocks. A Baltimore Oriole has been recorded here in February, and other overwintering passerines are possible.

Owner/Manager: The Vineyards at Jockey’s Neck

eBird Hotspot: Jockey’s Neck Pond

—Matt Anthony, August 2020

Jamestown Island

Jamestown Island, a favorite among local birders, is a low-lying island jutting into the James River. The island, owned by the National Park Service, has a 5-mile loop road which can be driven, walked, or bicycled. The eleven pull-offs provide excellent birding opportunities as well as historical wayside markers describing the extensive human history of the island. With a range of habitats including southern mixed hardwood forest, interior hardwood swamp, tidal salt marsh, riverfront and the open water of the James River, expect an impressive array of permanent residents as well as migrants and summer breeders. Well known for the local population of Red-headed Woodpeckers and Brown-headed Nuthatches this Hotspot has over 215 species recorded on eBird.

Over 300 pairs of Bald Eagles nest along the James River, and Jamestown Island has its share. Watch for adult and immature Bald Eagles at any time of year. By late winter Osprey begin to return for the breeding season and can be seen in numerous locations. Great Horned, Barred, and Eastern Screech-Owls are permanent residents and the lucky visitor can catch a glimpse of these birds anywhere on the island. Winter viewing of owls is often the best as bare trees provide good looks at these birds roosting in warm sunny spots. Turkey and Black Vultures are regular sights at any time.

With plenty of snags, oaks, and Loblolly pines, Jamestown Island is home to the six species of resident woodpeckers and Yellow- bellied Sapsuckers in the winter. Red-headed Woodpeckers can be seen in multiple locations but the best spot to find this local permanent resident is in the semi-open wooded area just before Black Point.

As you cross any of the wooden bridges over the marshes in the spring and summer you are likely to see dozens of Barn Swallows which nest under the bridges. Other aerial birds you are likely to see include Tree Swallows, Chimney Swifts and occasionally Purple Martins.

Passerines are plentiful on Jamestown Island. The spring months of March, April, and May produce the largest number of species. Watch for warblers including Pine, Yellow-throated, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white, Palm, Northern Parula, Ovenbird, Yellow Warbler, Prairie and Hooded, among others. By June and July the breeders predominate; Summer Tanager, Orchard Oriole, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, Acadian Flycatcher, Great-crested Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo to name a few. In fall migration additional warbler species can be found including Cape May and Blue-winged. By winter the kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Brown Creepers, Hermit Thrush and Winter Wrens take center stage, along with White-throated, Swamp, and Fox Sparrows. Watch for large flocks of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins gorging on American Holly berries, particularly in the area around “The Traverse Estate” pull-off.

A small parking area at Black Point, the farthest end of the island, gives access to a short trail out to the James River. In the winter, ducks including Greater and Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, and Bufflehead can be abundant. Double-crested Cormorants and occasional Brown Pelicans can be seen up and down the river. Several small areas of interior water around the island can produce Wood Duck, American Black Duck, Hooded Merganser, Green- winged Teal, and Mallard. Infrequent visitors have included Northern Pintail and Ring-necked Duck. At low tide, exposed mudflats in the tidal creeks can attract Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and Spotted Sandpipers. Despite extensive marsh, rails are uncommon; Virginia Rail, Clapper Rail and Sora are possible, often heard rather than seen. Great Blue Heron, terns, gulls, and Belted Kingfisher are common sights.

Accessibility: Historic Jamestowne entrance gate hours are 8:30 am. - 4:30 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Years Day. Beyond the gate you will be in a fee area. Fees are collected in the Visitor Center or you can use a National Park Pass. The 5-mile Island Loop road starts approximately one mile past the entrance gate. Consider staying to visit the historic site after birding. Note: The historic site is a National Park Service and Preservation Virginia fee area.

Owner/Manager: National Park Service

eBird Hotspot: Jamestown Island

—Nancy Barnhart

James City County Marina

Since the opening of Billsburg Brewery in October 2017 and the recent availing of low cost paddle craft rental, the marina has seen a steep rise in popularity among locals and tourists alike. Related to this general uptick in visitation is more attention by birders, which has lead to some interesting species being recorded here. Some of the highlights are an Orange-crowned Warbler (12/17/2017) and Pine Siskin (10/29/2018). While decent birding can be had exploring the scrubby edges of the parking lot, the best birding here may well be had in the afternoon while sitting on the Billsburg deck with a beer in hand watching for interesting flyovers.

Accessibility: Parking here is free, however when Billsburg Brewery is busy on weekend nights parking may become severely limited. When there is no parking at the marina, there is always ample parking at the Jamestown Visitor Center just across the street.

Owner/Manager: James City County

eBird Hotspot: James City County Marina

—Nick Newberry

Jamestown Island--Causeway

Open to the public from 9am to 3pm daily, the Causeway can be accessed free of charge from the small parking area just before the small bridge over the outflow of Powhatan Creek to the James River. The gravel bar east southeast of the pull-off and nearby mudflats are the main pull for birding this hotspot. A scope and a well-timed visit during the 2 hours surrounding low tide are a must for any visiting birder looking to add waders and shorebirds to their county list. See here for the current tidal forecast.

Large numbers of shorebirds will almost never be found here, but the diversity of species recorded over the years is excellent an unlike anywhere else in the county: Marbled Godwit, American Avocet, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Stilt Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Willet, and Lesser Yellowlegs. In the wader department, Tricolored Heron and Snowy Egret, both difficult species in the county, have been recorded during low tide, indicating that the mudflats here have potential beyond simply shorebirds. While the best window for shorebirds is from May through October, paying a visit here at any time of year may be productive for species like Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone and Western Sandpiper. Shorebirding can be a bust outside of the couple of hours surrounding low tide, but interesting waterfowl, gulls and terns can still certainly be found by scoping both the James River and Powhatan Creek. Notably, Common and Black Terns (10/5/2015) have been seen here foraging in the creek.

On the James River, Bonaparte’s Gull, Red-breasted Merganser, Greater and Lesser Scaup can be reliably found during the winter, but Sabine’s and Iceland (adult) Gulls, Long-tailed Duck, Black and White-winged Scoter have also been recorded, albeit much less frequently.

James City County’s only record of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck comes from a single bird seen and heard flying up Powhatan Creek at dusk July 19, 2016.

eBird Hotspot: Jamestown Island--Causeway

Owner/Manager: Historic Jamestowne/National Park Service

—Nick Newberry

Penniman Road (Purple Martin Roost)

This spot, a heavily developed suburban area at the intersection of Penniman Road and Merrimac Trail, would probably hold little interest for birders were it not the site of a large Purple Martin colony. At the southwest corner of the intersection, adjacent to the Sunoco gas station, is a grassy island with several martin houses. The first arrivals will typically turn up by late March or early April, and for the rest of the spring and summer, this intersection plays host to a bustling colony of these graceful aerialists. At any time during these months, look for dozens of martins swirling above the intersection; typically you don’t even need to stop the car to spot them. The colony is the main reason for birding this spot, and apart from the martins there is little else besides typical suburban species. For anyone interested in getting out of the car to submit a complete checklist, the best parking is at the Wawa on the other side of the intersection.

County birders will want to note that this intersection sits right at the James City/York line, with everything to the south of Penniman Road in James City (including the martin houses). The martins are very active, and can be seen in both counties with ease.

eBird Hotspot: Penniman Road (Purple Martin Roost)

—Matt Anthony

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (James City Co.)

Taking just 15-20 minutes to cross the James River, this free ferry can be a quick route for birders traveling from Williamsburg to popular hotspots like Hog Island WMA in Surry, and it is an excellent addition to a birding itinerary because it adds the opportunity to view birds on the river. Birding from the ferry is at its best beginning in the fall and continuing through winter, when large flocks of gulls follow behind the boat. Typically, the species composition includes all the usual suspects such as Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed, and this is also one of the more reliable local spots for Less Black-backed. However, over the years the ferry has attracted a few rarities, including Sabine’s Gull and Black-legged Kittiwake in September, and Iceland Gull in March. Though it can be difficult to pull a single gull among the hundreds that follow the ferry, these rarities are sometimes chaseable. Birding from the ferry in the winter also offers the chance to see large rafts of scaup (usually including both species) on the James, as well as loons, grebes, and other ducks including Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. Scanning birds on the water may sometimes turn up locally rare species such as Red-necked Grebe or any of the three scoters. Bonaparte’s Gulls are a common sight on the river beginning in the fall and remaining through winter and into spring; during spring, it is worth checking the large Bonie flocks for rarities such as Little Gull, which has been recorded here in April. The spring months also bring returning breeders such as Osprey, Laughing Gulls, Brown Pelicans and Royal Terns, as well as transient species including Caspian Terns and the occasional Black Tern. Summer is less productive here, as the large flocks of gulls dwindle, but it can still turn up some surprises. For birders who keep month lists, scanning the James in summer might yield a lingering loon or duck. June has offered up a few surprises in the past, including a locally rare Black Skimmer loafing with the gulls and terns, as well as a record of Franklin’s Gull. At both ferry terminals, there are any pilings at the dock that are a favored spot for birds at all times of the year. In winter, hundreds of cormorants are often resting here, and diligent scanning may turn up a Great. The gulls also like to roost here, and scanning during the few minutes prior to disembarking offers a shot at less common species. During the summer months, terns also perch here and scanning the birds on the piling may yield a Least or Common, or perhaps something rarer, mixed in with the Royals and Laughing Gulls.

Note: For those birders who keep county lists, the James City/Surry line runs roughly down the middle of the river, meaning that half of the ferry trip is in either county.

Accessibility: The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry is a free transportation service provided by the state of Virginia, which takes passengers and vehicles across the James River between James City and Surry Counties. It runs seven days a week, 365 days a year including all holidays. Ferry schedules vary seasonally, and information on the current schedule can be found at the VDOT website. Passengers are required to stay in their vehicles during boarding and disembarking, but are permitted to exit their cars and roam the deck while the ferry is in motion. The stern of the boat is often the best spot for watching the gulls that gather in the ferry’s wake. There is also an upper deck which boasts a more expansive vantage of the river.

Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Transportation

eBird Hotspot: Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (James City Co.)

—Matt Anthony