Beach Garden Park has the potential to become a good birding hotspot because its diverse habitat is spread over an 18-acre community park with good accessibility. The two ball fields are surrounded by a paved loop trail, which in turn is surrounded by a mix of native shrubs (e.g., wax myrtle, groundsel, and honeysuckle vine) and nursery plantings. In the northeast corner of the park, a second loop affords close views of marsh and lagoons with brackish water, which connects to Linkhorn Bay. Birders may also want to walk back along the entrance road and search for birds in the marsh on the east side of the park (e.g., Marsh Wren) as well as near the stream on the west side.
Beach Garden Park is more popular among dog walkers than birders; however, 118 species have been reported as of February 2021. Year-round residents include herons, egrets, gulls, Clapper Rails, Belted Kingfishers, woodpeckers, wrens, and sparrows including sharp-tailed sparrows. Winter waterfowl include American Wigeons, Buffleheads, and both Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers. A variety of migratory passerines have been reported, including some local rarities such as Tennessee, Nashville, and Mourning Warblers. In summer, Osprey, Great Crested Flycatchers, and swallows can be found.
Accessibility: Beach Garden Park is located at 2854 Kilbourne Ct and has plenty of free parking. Bathroom facilities open at 9 am from May 1 through October 31. The park is flat, and the paved paths are suitable for wheelchairs.
Owner/Manager: City of Virginia Beach
eBird Hotspot: Beach Garden Park
—Cindy Hamilton, February 2021