A Sanctuary of Wildlife
Simple Guide to year round birdwatching on the Chesapeake Bay, Mathews Virginia
Birdwatching on the Chesapeake Bay is popular among many birders. Whether you are an amateur birdwatcher or a master naturalist, watching our feathered friends can be quite rewarding. Mathews boasts an incredible birding scene throughout the county. While the counties size may be small, Mathews features 220 miles of coastline. With its many coves, inlets, rivers and creeks, land and water birds are visible at every turn.
Types of Birds to look for and Where to find them
Not all, but many of the birds listed can be seen and admired right here on the grounds of the inn. One could expect a full day of birdwatching without ever leaving the property! We also keep binoculars in our guest rooms and several pair in the main area of the Inn so your always able to view the birds on the property or on your own adventure.
Sitting out back at the Inn you can observe Ospreys, Eagles and herons catching fish in the creek.
Birding trails are plentiful in our little coastal town. Our two most rewarding locations for birdwatching are Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve and New Point Comfort Area Preserve. Bethel Beach Preserve boasts over 200 Species of birds. The narrow strip of beach is a simple out-and- back hike under 1.5 miles. And while New Point Comfort species list is shorter, it’s still a great spot for those seeking a good mix of waterbirds, shorebirds, and marsh birds.
Birdwatching can be enjoyed in every season. Listed Below are species of birds you will see in our area during the winter months, followed by our year round birds and then birds of summer.
There are many bird feeders among the property. We keep feeders up and bird baths up all year round.
Multiple Hummingbird feeders exist throughout the grounds of the Inn and from May to October they will certainly give you a show!
Photo by Michelle Strickland
Winter Birds to Look for:
Mute and Tundra Swans (on occasion by the hundreds, December till early March the Chesapeake Bay Area is in the migratory region for Tundra Swans)
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Flicker
Loons
Horned Grebe
Ducks Species: Common Merganser, Red Breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser,
Bufflehead, Wood Scoters
Year Round Feathered Friends
Our year round feathered friends are but not limited to:
Great Blue Heron
Pileated Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy WP, Hairy WP
Yellow bellied sapsucker
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Wild Turkey
Eastern Bluebird
Red Winged Blackbird
Oyster Catcher
Cardinals and Goldfinches
Mourning Dove
Bluejays and Mockingbirds
Hawks
Summertime Birds
Green Heron, Tri Color Heron, Little Blue Heron, Yellow and Black Crowned Night Heron
Great White Egret
Osprey and Pelicans
Terns and Britterns
Cormorant
Hummingbirds
Indigo Bunting
Tanagers and Orioles
Swallows and Skimmers
A Gift Certificate for a stay at the Inn is sure to delight any birdwatcher in your life!
Stay Inn with us and prepare for a birding paradise! With binoculars in every room and views every way you turn, its impossible not to see plenty of our feathered friends. We are only a few minutes away from great spots for birdwatching.
