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Visit a Gateway > Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
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| - Near Cape Charles, VA |
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| The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is located at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It contains 1415 acres of maritime forest, myrtle and bayberry thickets, grasslands, and fresh and brackish ponds—important habitat for wildlife that changes constantly with the seasons.
In the fall, the refuge serves as a gathering place for migrating birds, which wait for favorable wind and weather to cross the Chesapeake Bay. Hawks, falcons, and songbirds are common on the refuge from late August to early November. The refuge also supports osprey platforms with a live video feed of nesting activity of one platform available in the Visitor Center during nesting season.
In the spring, shallow waters and moist grassy areas provide food for marsh and shorebirds. Throughout the year, black ducks and great blue herons feed in refuge marshes, and refuge woodlands provide year-round habitat for Carolina chickadees, great horned owls, eastern screech owls, Carolina wrens, and several species of woodpeckers and warblers.
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Hours: |
The refuge is open from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.
The Visitor Center is open:
- daily from April to November, 9:00am to 4:00pm
- daily in December and March, 10:00am to 2:00pm
- Friday-Sunday in January and February, 10:00am to 2:00pm
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| Fees: |
There are no fees to visit any parts of the refuge and visitor center. |
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| For more information about Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge call (757) 331-2760 or visit the following website: http://easternshore.fws.gov. |
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