Though it is only slightly over a mile long, Magotha Road packs a surprising number of species (over 200 reported to eBird!) and habitat diversity into such a short expanse. Located directly off Seaside Road, north of Kiptopeke on the east side of US 13, Magotha is a prominent birding destination that usually factors into most people’s lower Eastern Shore birding circuits. The first roughly two-thirds of the road pass through mostly open agricultural fields with a smattering of houses planted with ornamental vegetation. The ag fields then give way to a brief stretch of woods before opening again onto a large saltmarsh, after which the road terminates at Cushman’s Landing, a primitive boat launch looking out across Magothy Bay. One of Magotha’s main claims to fame is that for many years it was one of the most reliable places in the state to find Eurasian Collared-Doves. These days, the doves are still present but can be hit or miss; they are more widespread in southern Northampton County, and are also easily seen at other robust populations in Virginia, so Magotha’s reputation as “the” place to see this species has declined.
Doves aside, however, Magotha justly has a sterling reputation as a phenomenal birding site for many reasons apart from a particular specialty species. Some of the best birding to be had here occurs in the fall and winter, when the extensive open fields and telephone wires lining the road provide a good recipe for rarities. The fields here can be good for Horned Larks and American Pipits, and with a 1971 record of Northern Wheatear, clearly the potential is there for open country rarities. In fall migration, it is not unusual to encounter an American Kestrel every few hundred feet, perched prominently on the wires. Mixed feeding flocks of Eastern Bluebirds, Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and the like often work the edges of the road, alternately posting up on wires and dropping to forage in the grass. Check these flocks for lingering Palm Warblers, uncommon migrants such as Vesper Sparrow, or rarer species. Always carefully check any birds perched on the wires; this is a good way to spot the Collared-Doves, but rarities like White-winged Dove and Gray Kingbird also favor these prominent posts. It may be that Virginia’s first conclusively identified Tropical Kingbird is discovered in this fashion. The open ag fields here also attract large flocks of swallows. In late summer, when swallows begin staging before migration, check for Bank or Cliff. If any large flocks are present in late fall, especially during November, they should be checked carefully for Cave Swallow. At all times of year, Wild Turkeys can sometimes be seen in the fields, and formerly this was a location for both Ring-necked and Green Pheasant, which are now extirpated in Virginia, though released birds have occasionally been spotted here in recent years. Where the fields transition to woods, there is plenty of brushy edge habitat that can be excellent for sparrows in fall and winter. Look for Lark Sparrow beginning in late August and early September, Lincoln’s in October (and possibly overwintering), and White-crowned and Fox later in the winter. The summer months are perhaps the least productive here, but can still turn up open country and edge breeders such as Indigo Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Scanning the open sky here can sometimes turn up a Mississippi Kite in late spring or late summer, and Swallow-tailed Kite is also possible (particularly in August).
The final third of Magotha Road presents an altogether different kind of birding from the ag fields that dominate the first portion. The brief strip of woods is dominated by pines, making it a fine place for Brown-headed Nuthatch and Pine Warbler, as well as Golden-crowned Kinglet in winter. There are also numerous dead trees where the saltmarsh has encroached into the woods, providing perfect habitat for Red-headed Woodpeckers in winter. As the woods give way to the saltmarshes, there is a transitional zone with small, scrubbier vegetation including Wax Myrtle and Baccharis. Beginning in the fall and continuing during the winter, this area is usually loaded with Myrtle Warblers. Carefully checking the hundreds of Myrtles always holds the possibility of finding an Audubon’s, or perhaps something rarer. Lingering Palm Warblers are usually around, and Orange-crowned Warbler is also a fairly expected species here. The saltmarshes are very productive, particularly in the winter months. Both Marsh and Sedge Wren are easily found here in winter, and even the skulky Sedges can often be coaxed into giving good views. Saltmarsh, Nelson’s, and Seaside Sparrows are all present here, but they can be very elusive and uncooperative. The best time to search for them is when the tide is high and sparrows are forced in closer to the road. Besides these marsh sparrows, Swamp and Savannah are also very prevalent during the winter. The marshes also harbor a fair variety of rails; Clappers are present and often conspicuously vocalizing year-round, while Virginia are more often detected in winter. Sora has occasionally been reported. Biologists from the Center for Conservation Biology, who band Ammodramus sparrows here, have occasionally flushed Yellow Rails while banding, and this elusive prize should be on birders’ radars. At the end of the road, Cushman’s Landing provides a wide view of Magothy Bay where it is possible to see a variety of winter waterfowl, loons, and grebes. The species composition changes dramatically during the summer months. At this time of year, the marshes are home to a variety of waders: the most commonly encountered species are Great Blue Heron, Great and Snowy Egrets, and White Ibis. Little Blue and Tricolored Herons and Glossy Ibis are encountered less frequently, but still somewhat regularly. In spring or fall, the marshes could host a migrant American Bittern, though detectability would certainly present a challenge unless the bird was vocalizing. Forster’s Terns are also a common sight in summer, and may nest in the marshes. Looking out over Magothy Bay, expect to see Laughing Gulls, Common and Royal Terns, and Brown Pelicans. During spring and fall shorebird seasons, the marshes can have a fair variety of species, but viewing them is often difficult unless something causes the birds to flush.
eBird Hotspot: Magotha Road
—Matt Anthony, August 2020