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