Cape Henry Audubon Society
Our mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

Field Trips

Upcoming Field Trips

Merchants Millpond State Park, NC - Saturday, October 18 

Located about an hour south of the VA/NC state line, Merchants Millpond 

After gathering together, we will walk down to the canoe launch overlooking the pond.  From there we will walk along a portion of the Lassiter trail. This is a somewhat uneven, mostly dirt trail that is fairly well maintained but often has a number of exposed tree roots, so careful attention to your footing is required and a good pair of hiking shoes is recommended.  After walking about ¾ mile along this trail, we’ll cut over and return to the Visitor Center via the asphalt-paved main road.  Once back at the Visitor Center we can take a water/snack break and take advantage of the restroom facilities.

Next, we’ll make a short drive over to the Cypress Point trail.  This is a short (1/3 mile loop) trail along the pond. It is an easy, flat trail that includes a large section of boardwalk.     

As with most of our outings, bug spray and sunscreen are always advised, and snacks and water bottle also come in handy.

Recent Field Trip Reports

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (ESVNWR) - Saturday, September 27, 2025

CHAS and VBAS members
at northern turnoff on CBBT
during Sept 2025 birding trip.
On Saturday, September 27, 21 hardy (or was it foolhardy?) members of CHAS and the Virginia Beach Audubon Society joined the Laughing Falcons to brave the rain and spent most of the day pursuing bird species on Virginia's Eastern Shore during the Coastal Virginia Birdathon (aka Kiptopeke Challenge), the annual fundraising birdathon that supports Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory.  This was a new type of team and we were placed in a new competition class, Large Group.  At the end of the day our team tallied 105 species.  Whether the total is enough for our team to win the 24hr competition this year we shall have to wait to find out.  Hi-lites included six species of herons, five woodpecker species, kestrels (over 100!) merlins and peregrine falcons, numerous shore birds/waders, bobolinks, 15 warbler species (including blue wing, cape may and bay-breasted), a rose breasted grosbeak and Swainson's thrush.
    
Thanks for  your participation in the birdathon itself and for making this first combined birding trip a success.     Your support of the research and education undertaken by CVWO is greatly appreciated.  Stop by Kiptopeke State Park sometime during the fall to share in their activities.

CHAS field trip to Blacksburg / New River Valley - May 9th, 10th and 11th.

The Itinerary was as follows:
Friday afternoon there will be a trip to nearby Pandapas Pond and possibly a short trip to Alpine Road to look for a Kentucky Warbler.

Saturday there will be a trip to Glen Alton and possibly nearby Kelly Flats in the morning. In the afternoon, we will visit Mountain Lake, with a possible Golden Wing Warbler on the road up to the hotel and possible Chestnut Sided Warbler and Canada Warbler up under the Rhododendrons on the mountain. We may try again for the Kentucky Warbler on Alpine Road.

Sunday morning, there will be a trip to Deerfield Trail in Blacksburg.

Blacksburg / New River Valley Field Trip - May 2025

Photo by David Clark
Four hardy souls went on a western part of the state birding trip.  We hit several places including Mountain Lake where this beautiful Chestnut-sided warbler decided to grace us with his presence.  

Great Dismal Swamp field trips

The Great Dismal Swamp NWR was not able to host its annual Birding Festival this year, so CHAS and the Hampton Roads Bird Club organized 7 bird walks there April 26 and 27 as a way to make up for the festival.  There were over 145 attendees from Hampton Roads, Richmond, North Carolina, Michigan and NYC!  The folks from NYC were a bachelorette party of botanists!  Thank you to our walk leaders: Elisa, Judy, Tracy, Morocco, Saundra, Dave, Mary Jane, Lori and James.  And Special thanks to Laura Mae for setting this up and being there every day to make sure things went smoothly.

Great Dismal Swamp Trillium Walk at Jericho Ditch - March 20, 2025

Led by Elisa Flanders: 18 participants found saw and heard 42 species of birds, including 5 woodpecker species, wood ducks, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, a harrier, and 9 warbler species.  The full list can be viewed at https://ebird.org/mychecklists?subID=UzIyMTg1MDM4NA..&s=t.


Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel & Lower Eastern Shore - January 12, 2025

A very successful day led by Morrocco St. Andre, with 74 avian species seen.  Highlights included Harlequin Duck, Common Eider, Great Cormorant, Purple Sandpiper, and Greater White-fronted Goose.  For a complete list of species observed, click here. 


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