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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Dike Trail

Virginia  >  United States

This series of freshwater impoundments along the Atlantic Flyway provides prime habitat for birds, specifically migratory birds.

Geplaatst* door Elena Bersani
Meest recente update 29 december 2023

Beschrijving

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is dedicated to protecting local wildlife, specifically migratory birds. The refuge offers several different types of bird habitats. It is nested between the Atlantic Ocean and the freshwater Back Bay. A series of freshwater impoundments provides prime habitat for birds. The impoundement water levels are regulated throughout the year to offer the right habitat for the current species. In the Spring and Summer water level are lowered to provide mudflats for shorebird. In late Fall and Winter, the water level is higher for overwintering ducks and swans.

The grasses and reeds along the trail provide good habitat for several overwintering sparrow species. The Maritime forest found along the dike trail is a good resting place for several migrating warblers during the Fall and Spring. Several raptors are also found on the refuge as well as Kingbirds, Flycatchers, Phoebe, Buntings, Grosbeak. 340 bird species have been observed throughout the refuge so far.

Details

Toegang

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern corner of the City of Virginia Beach. Back Bay NWR is best explored starting from the Visitor Center parking lot. The trails are accessible by foot and bicycle only. The Back Bay water can be explored by kayak or canoe. There is a kayak launch in the parking lot. The East and West dike trail are alternately opened from April 1st to October 31st. Only a short portion of the two trails that lead to a birding blind is open during the Winter month to provide a safe resting area for the birds in the impoundments. The refuge offers a tram tour in partnership with the bordering False Cape State Park.

Terrein en leefgebied

Bos , Wetland , Strand , Slikken , Landbouw , Rietvelden , Duinen , Zee , Verspreide bomen en struiken

Omstandigheden

Vlak , Hoog water mogelijk , Geen schaduw

Rondlopende wandeling mogelijk?

Nee

Telescoop meenemen?

Kan handig zijn

Wanneer hier vogels kijken?

Het hele jaar

Toptijd voor dit gebied

Voorjaarstrek , Najaarstrek

Route

Breed pad , Onverharde weg

Zwaarte wandeling

Gemakkelijk

Toegankelijk via

Te voet , Fiets , Boot , Rolstoel

Vogelkijkhut aanwezig?

Ja

Extra info

Only one dike trail is open at a time. So it is considered an out and back trail. If only exploring the trails to the birding blinds it is possible to make a circular route.

Links

Bekijk vogelgebieden in de buurt op Birdingplaces

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