Just Passing Through

Just Passing Through. . , Each fall, the refuge comes alive with color and sound as millions of birds pass through during their annual southward migration., On the Move , Driven by instinct, many birds migrate back and forth between their summer breeding grounds in the north and wintering grounds to the south. Generally traveling clockwise, they follow the East Coast heading south in the fall and return northward in the spring along more dispersed western routes., The Tip of the Funnel , Squeezed between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, great concentrations of birds funnel down the Delmarva Peninsula as they head south. Located at the tip, the refuge is a vital stopover for these determined travelers as they prepare to cross the mouth of the bay., A Perfect Port of Call , Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1984 to provide critical habitat for migrating birds. Here, berries and insects allow feathered visitors to refuel for the long trip ahead. Refuge trees and shrubs provide shelter from predators, giving weary birds time to rest., You Can Count on It! , Over 406 different species of birds have been recorded here. In winter, you can watch waterfowl, raptors, and sparrows from the north. Spring brings the return of terns, herons, and egrets from the south. During summer, look for shorebirds. When fall arrives, experience a true marvel as colorful warblers and other neotropical migrants pass through by the thousands!