Birding and Wildlife Trail: Custis Tombs

About

A part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, this historical landmark, located along the tidal Plantation Creek, was once the site of the former Arlington mansion. It is now a 7-acre meadow with woodland edges and the resting place of John Custis II (1628 – 1695) and his grandson, John Custis IV (1678 – 1749).

Visitors may walk short mowed paths through the meadows to view the tidal creek, mudflats, and woodland edges. At falling tides and low tide, this is a great spot to look for shorebirds, such as American oystercatchers, dunlin, semipalmated plover, and black-bellied plover. Other birds that may be seen here include bald eagle, winter waterfowl, seabirds, great blue heron, great egret, orchard oriole, indigo bunting, and grassland birds. Songbirds may be found amongst the woodland edges. The meadow is a nice spot to view butterflies.

Interpretive signs explain the history of the site.

From U.S. 13 in Cape Charles, travel south for 3.6 miles. Turn right on Arlington Road/ Rt. 644. Follow the signs to Custis Tombs as the road winds for 2 miles (Arlington Rd becomes Custis Tomb Rd). Turn right as Custis Tomb Rd becomes Arlington Chase Rd. Park in the marked parking lot for the Custis Tombs, which is a small, grassy gravel lot bordered by old telephone poles.

Information from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Birding and Wildlife Trail.