Birding and Wildlife Trail: Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve

About

This preserve, found on the Bay side of the Eastern Shore, is within the Audubon Lower Delmarva Important Bird Area (IBA) and considered internationally significant for migratory birds according to Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program's Geospatial and Educational Mapping System (Coastal GEMS). It is also part of the DWR Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Most of the Preserve acreage protects forested uplands that may be viewed from an elevated boardwalk. A small amount of very sensitive dune and shoreline habitat, along with several rare species, are also protected here but access to these is restricted. The preserve provides habitat for the globally rare and federally threatened northeastern beach tiger beetle (Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis). Coast bedstraw (Galium hispidulum), an herbaceous plant, grows on the dunes at the interface between open grassy areas and shaded areas where shrubs and trees dominate. During fall migration, the forest abounds with migratory songbirds and raptors resting and feeding before continuing their journey across the Chesapeake Bay.

VISITATION:
Look for wildlife around the humanmade freshwater wetland and walk about half a mile down a boardwalk that ends with benches and a view of the Chesapeake Bay through the globally rare maritime forest. There is no shoreline access. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, an eroding shoreline, and the federally protected invertebrate species, access to the shoreline is restricted to researchers and land managers.

The preserve is owned and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Research is conducted on various Preserves, research permit applications are available online.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From the north end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, follow US 13 north. Take a left onto Route 184 (Stone Rd) toward Cape Charles, and continue for 1 mile. Turn left on Route 642 (Cassatt Pkwy) and continue just over 1 mile. Turn left onto Bayshore Drive at the stop sign. DO NOT enter the private industrial property on Bayshore Lane. Turn right on Patrick Henry Ave. Do not drive onto the gravel road. Proceed past the Fuji Film building, and the preserve parking area is at the terminus.

From the Town of Cape Charles Historic District, turn south off of Mason Ave onto Old Cape Charles Rd. Proceed for 0.3 mile then turn right onto Bayshore Drive. DO NOT enter the private industrial property on Bayshore Lane. Continue for 0.6 mile, then turn right onto Patrick Henry Ave. Do not drive onto the gravel road. Proceed past the Fuji Film building, and the preserve parking area is at the terminus.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The acquisition of and initial public access improvements on this preserve were funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NA57OZ0561-01, NA77OZ0204-01, NA17NOS4190152, and NA18NOS4190152 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended.