BIRDING ETHICS AND CONSERVATION

Our goal is to encourage the birding community to find joy in all the Eastern Shore of Virginia has to offer. In reaching this goal, it is important that we respect our environment, the birds and their nesting communities. Birding Eastern Shore asks that our visitors abide by American Birding Association Principals of Birding Ethics, as well as by The Nature Conservancy’s Policies on Birding Responsibly provided by the Nature Conservancy’s Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve project, located locally at the Brownsville Preserve in Northampton County, Virginia.

For birders visiting our Barrier Islands, we ask that you abide by the Virginia Coast Reserve Barrier Island Use Policies:

Most Nature Conservancy owned islands are open to the public for low-impact, non-commercial, recreational day use such as, hiking, birdwatching, surf fishing and photography. These islands include: Smith; Myrtle; Mink; Godwin; Cobb; Hog; Rogue; Sandy; Parramore; and Revel Islands. The Nature Conservancy co-owned portions of Metompkin and Cedar Islands are also available for use.

PETS, MOTORIZED VEHICLES, CAMPING AND CAMPFIRES ARE PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES

Little Cobb and Ship Shoal Islands are CLOSED to visitors at all times for scientific research and safety reasons. Harvesting of shellfish is prohibited. For more information on waterfowl hunting policies, please contact the Virginia Coast Reserve at 757-442-3049.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: