WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Virginia

By species reported, the top birding spots in Virginia are Bush Island Cove, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (north), and Kiptopeke State Park. Bush Island Cove has the longest list (289 species), and its best season is fall.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Bush Island CoveVirginia Beach County2896,303152239173245
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (north)Accomack County2482,019148206151198
Kiptopeke State ParkNorthampton County2361,648111139103214
Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeAccomack County2322,784125192140182
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife RefugeNorthampton County2321,401108160125212
Dyke MarshFairfax County2265,950119192132183
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife RefugePrince William County2257,575124201131198
Huntley Meadows County ParkFairfax County22413,839111198142186
Algonkian Regional ParkLoudoun County2174,53196185130173
BeverlyNorthampton County2161,435129145114184
Pleasure House PointVirginia Beach County2154,972144177124167
KiptopekeNorthampton County2155043452113198
Magothy Bay State Natural Area PreserveNorthampton County214855124160124184
Orchard LakeBotetourt County2123,316109177107167
Horse MarshAccomack County20955610217374180
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Black Duck Marsh)Accomack County2061,79310818385162
First Landing State ParkVirginia Beach County2031,768111144112144
Huntley Meadows County Park (west)Fairfax County2022,76984176107164
Cape Charles State Natural Area PreserveNorthampton County1997255615156160
Hog Island Wildlife Management AreaSurry County19884999165141158
Henricus Historical ParkChesterfield County1973,816122167112155
Grandview Nature PreserveHampton County1951,414131151109147
Blandy Experimental StationClarke County1914,22692157108166
Black Duck MarshAccomack County1901,308110140103145
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (northeast)Accomack County1891,0947914985140
Leesylvania State ParkPrince William County1882,08290163104154
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (Raccoon Creek)Northampton County1889439311993161
Algonkian Regional Park (Sugarland Run)Loudoun County1871,32598157101146
Aquia Landing ParkStafford County1871,07610214671154
Kiptopeke State Park (Butlers Bluff)Northampton County187868485260177

By county