Once in the WMA, you will see a large impoundment on your right at the entrance. The most significant species often seen on this impoundment is the American White Pelican, which in recent years has been consistently observed here from early fall into late spring, with occasional over summering birds. Although this first pool is typically the most reliable spot, the pelicans move around quite a bit and can be found anywhere on the property. The high count so far has been 77 birds on March 15, 2018. As you move further north along the entrance road, you will see the James River to your left. With most of the refuge closed off from September 30 through the Sunday after the first Saturday in February, it is worth scanning the river for wintering waterfowl and gulls from the main road (always open) from a few different vantage points. There are often large flocks of Scaup on the river and they should be checked for any possible rarities mixed in. Brown Pelicans can also be found here in the winter. Probably the most productive section of the WMA at all seasons is the north end which contains numerous open fields, impoundments, and marshes. In winter, a variety of waterfowl can be seen in this area including Tundra Swans. Large numbers of Canada Geese are ubiquitous here with the occasional rarer goose mixed in. There is a series of trails that lead east down into the marshes from the parking area but these cannot be accessed in fall and winter as they are closed so as not to disturb the waterfowl. In late winter these trails reopen and birders once again has access to all the nooks and crannies that these marsh areas provide. Spring heralds the return of Royal Terns to the area and they can be seen flying back and forth to the river all summer. Least Terns can also be found here in good numbers throughout summer. In late summer, Caspian Terns sometimes stage here in large numbers. The high count for the area is 832, recorded on 9 September 2011. In recent years, Least Bitterns have been found by patient or lucky observer from the viewing platform next to the small gravel parking lot about a quarter mile south of the northern terminus of the road. As expected, this is also a good area for large numbers of waders and, depending on water levels, shorebirds. Although shorebirds can be found here in spring, the best time to search for them is from July through September when water levels tend to be at their lowest. Good diversity and numbers of shorebirds are possible at this time including many potential rarities, but finding them requires time, luck, and patience with the birds. Hot months bring deer flies and mosquitoes, so come prepared with bug spray and long sleeves and pants. The intrepid birder who takes on these challenges is often rewarded.
FALL (JULy-NOVember)
With the onset of shorebird season around the second week of July, fall at Hog Island begins in earnest even as much of the rest of the state still feels like it’s in the throws of summer. While productive at all times of year, Hog shines its brightest from early July through September 30. Even though productive shorebird could be had after this date, particularly for the likes of Hudsonian Godwit and American Golden-Plovers, the WMA is closed Mon-Sat until early February, and when it is open on Sunday all trails off the main road are closed, which severely limits birding success. Opportunities for shorebirds, and therefore shorebirding, varies widely from year to year depending on the water levels in the impoundments. When low, as in July 2018, shorebirding can be epic with 10s of thousands of shorebirds of all stripes throughout the WMA. When high, there can be a small fraction of those numbers, but rarities can and do appear nonetheless.
The first pool on the right after entering the WMA often hosts shorebirds along its edges that are sometimes identifiable (and sometimes not, depending on the lighting, heat shimmer and distance) from the gravel road. The four subsequent pools on the right offer additional views of the impoundments but require some persistence to see all the birds since vegetation near and far can obscure portions of the water. The third pool in particular can hold dozens of waders (think Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron) with high counts of Great Egrets topping 100 at points in the fall.
When water levels are generally high throughout the property, there is still often a small island with exposed mud in the 5th pool. While this island is partially viewable from the road, it is really worth hiking out to view it from the crossdike. This is done by parking next to the viewing tower in the small gravel lot about a quarter mile from the end of the gravel road/ranger station trailer, then walking past the yellow gate through the agricultural fields to the crossdike. In 2019 renovations to the impoundment on the right resulted in the addition of several small rock piles, which are readily used by Least Terns and occasionally other related species like Black, Gull-billed, and Forster’s Terns. The island in the middle of the impoundment has proven again and again that it is a must visit location at Hog Island, hosting at various points over the years Red Knot, Hudsonian Godwit, and Wilson’s Phalarope. A juvenile Sora was seen off and on during the fall of 2019 from this vantage point as it worked the edge of the reeds, so don’t neglect scanning the edges here. A Roseate Spoonbill was seen here from 7/25/2018 through 8/4/2018 (a second bird was found on this date).
Accessibility: The most heavily birded section is the Hog Island Tract, which is connected to the Dominion Energy Surry Nuclear Power Plant. Due to special hunts conducted on the property, the WMA is only open on Sundays from October through January. From early February to the end of August, the property is open seven days a week. It is closed on Wednesdays in September for managed Canada Geese hunts. To access this section, birders must pass through a heavily-secured checkpoint at the power plant where a quick vehicle search is performed. No alcohol or firearms are permitted inside vehicles. Photo identification and a valid WMA access permit (In a pinch, can be purchased at the Bacon’s Castle Market) must be presented at this checkpoint or access to the WMA will be denied. Please adhere strictly to the 15mph speed limit between the checkpoint and the entrance to the WMA.
eBird Hotspot: Hog Island WMA
Owner/Manager: Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
—Adam D’Onofrio