Twiggs Ferry Landing

This small public boat landing, situated at the base of the Route 3 bridge, provides an excellent vantage point looking south at the Piankatank River. This is a particularly productive spot to scan for waterbirds throughout the winter and into early March; the roster of species that might be seen includes Common Loon, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, and a variety of ducks such as Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, both scaup, Common Goldeneye, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, and occasionally even something as exciting as a Long-tailed Duck. At all times of the year, Bald Eagles can be found along the river, while March also sees the return of Ospreys. In the spring and summer months, expect to spot Laughing Gulls as well as a few tern species, mostly commonly Forster’s, Royal, and Caspian. Ferry Road, which leads to the boat landing, is lined with brushy vegetation that is home to a familiar suite of suburban edge species such as mockingbirds, thrashers, wrens, sparrows, towhees, and the like. During the spring and summer, look to the air to spot swallows and Purple Martins; unfortunately, the Route 3 bridge seems not to host any Cliff Swallows. Brown-headed Nuthatch has also been reported here, so listen for their squeaky calls from the stand of pines across the road.

County birders may wish to note that the Piankatank River forms the boundary between Middlesex and Mathews Counties. This boat landing is in Middlesex County, and the county line falls roughly midway across the river.

Accessibility: Heading north on Route 3, turn on Ferry Road shortly after crossing the bridge. This road terminates at the boat landing. The landing itself is primitive and has no launching facilities, but provides direct access to the river. There is no designated parking, and it is unpaved; the landing is small, and cannot easily accommodate more than two or three cars.

eBird Hotspot: Twiggs Ferry Landing

—Matt Anthony

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Stampers Bay Landing

Stampers Bay Road terminates in this primitive public boat landing, offering access to the Piankatank River. The area around the boat landing, as well as much of the road leading up to it, is wooded and plays host to breeders such as Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, and Summer Tanager. There is a scattering of houses along the road as well, and some species which frequent edge habitat or developed areas, including chickadees, titmice, Carolina Wrens, and Indigo Buntings will also be present. Looking out over the Piankatank, expect to see Ospreys and Bald Eagles hunting the river, and keep an eye out for the occasional Laughing Gull or tern that may find its way up here. Though there has been relatively little winter birding at this site, the wide stretch of the Piankatank on view is likely to be good for loons, grebes, and a variety of ducks such as Bufflehead, scaup, and Common Goldeneye, while the surrounding woods may host sapsuckers, kinglets, creepers, and the rest of the winter woodland suite.

Accessibility: To access the boat landing, turn onto Stampers Bay Road from Twiggs Ferry Road (3) and follow it all the way to the end. The road terminates in a wide circle with no designated parking area, but ample room to turn around or park several vehicles. The boat launch facilities here are primitive, and there are no other facilities.

Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

eBird Hotspot: Stampers Bay Landing

—Matt Anthony

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Mill Creek Beach

The beach is a good vantage point to scan for waterfowl in the winter and terns in the summer. The beach may attract the occasional shorebird but typically hosts only Killdeer.  The tidal ponds on both sides of the road just before the end of the road can also be productive for wading birds. They have hosted several Great Egrets along with more unusual species like Snowy Egret and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in recent years.

Accessibility: This is a small public beach access at the end of Mill Creek Road.  There is enough space to park a handful of cars. No fee is required and there are no amenities.

eBird Hotspot: Mill Creek Beach

—James Fox

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Parrott Island

The southern portion of the island is privately owned and well posted, so birding must be limited to paddling around the edges of the island.  The northern section of the island, which is separated from the main part of the island by a channel, is not posted, however, and this is the best area for birding.  The muddy edges can host a shorebirds and a small pond in the marsh can attract herons. The marsh itself should be worked for rails and marsh sparrows. The island has only been visited a handful of times but has already turned up a number of species that are difficult to find in Middlesex county including Tricolored Heron, Clapper Rail, Nelson’s and Seaside Sparrows and Western Sandpiper.  With more visits a wider variety of shorebirds and marsh birds will probably be found.

Accessibility: Parrott Island is only accessible by boat. It is an easy paddle from the Mill Creek Boat Ramp, which is slightly less than a mile away.  The island is privately owned and there is a small cottage on the island so only bird around the edges of the island from your boat. To the north of the main part of the island there is a smaller marshy area, this is not posted so it is fine to get out of your boat here.

eBird Hotspot: Parrott Island

—James Fox

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Mill Creek Boat Ramp

The Mill Creek boat ramp is a great starting point for kayak trips out to Parrot Island.  During the winter months, the boat ramp can be a productive location to scan for waterfowl. During migration walking up the road into the woods can produce a variety of passerines.  Clapper Rails can be found in the marsh across the inlet from the boat ramp, which you may occasionally hear from the boat ramp but there is a higher likelihood of detecting this species if you kayak over to the marsh.  Red-headed Woodpeckers can occasionally be found on the snags in the marsh.

Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Accessibility: This is a public boat ramp maintained by DWR. Open dawn to dusk.

eBird Hotspot: Mill Creek Boat Ramp

—James Fox

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Waterman's Park

Waterman's Park offers an unobstructed view of the Rappahannock River, which includes views of a substantial rock jetty to the southeast. The neighborhood surrounding the park hosts many active bird feeders that may support Pine Siskins, Orange-crowned Warblers, or other uncommon species with an affinity for feeders. Dense greenery near the park's entrance is worth searching for interesting passerines at all seasons. The lighting for scanning (scope highly recommended) the river is best in the afternoon. A small picnic table is located near the water's edge.

Accessibility: A small parking area at the intersection of Colorado Avenue and Kent Street hosts up to 3 or 4 cars with possible additional parking along the street. Waterman's Park is open from sunrise to a half hour after sunset.

Owner/Manager: Town of Urbanna

eBird Hotspot: Waterman's Park

—Nick Newberry

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