Tutters Field

Tutters Field is one of the largest open fields within the City of Williamsburg limits. As such, it holds promise for a variety of field birds that are very challenging to find here. Those that come immediately to mind are Cattle Egret, Eastern Meadowlark, American Woodcock, and Grasshopper Sparrow. Unfortunately, despite many visits throughout the year and at all times of day, none of these hoped for species have yet made an appearance.

From the aforementioned small dirt pull-off, the best strategy for pulling an interesting field bird is to patiently scan the small squared-off wooden fence areas scattered throughout the field. Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and Chipping Sparrows have all been observed perching on these structures. A few attempts have been made to look for displaying American Woodcocks between late January and early April, but so far none have been detected. At dusk during winter months an interesting phenomenon has been observed when ducks from Tutters Neck Pond fly over the parking lot on their way to roost elsewhere (presumably in the tidal marshes of the lower College Creek) and are lit up from underneath by the parking lot lights, making identification of several species of ducks much easier than if only seen in silhouette.

Accessibility: Tutters Field, as it is colloquially called, is privately owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and used as a refuge for Colonial Williamsburg’s hard working draft horses. Because it is actively used, no public access is allowed within the gated area. Viewing is permitted from outside the fence and there is a convenient dirt pull-off at the beginning of the gravel/dirt road that runs down to Tutters Neck Pond.

Owner/Manager: Colonial Williamsburg

eBird Hotspot: Tutters Field

—Nick Newberry