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Toll free: 800-365-9339
Local: 757-357-5182
Birding in Smithfield & Isle of Wight County
For observing wildlife and birding, the geographic location of Smithfield & Isle of Wight County offer a great variety of natural wildlife habitat - preserved for posterity through the many parks and open spaces maintained for the quality of life it offers its citizens. All of our parks are open year round and our temperate mid-Atlantic climate ensures quality birding experiences whenever you visit.
The great variety of natural habitats offered by being located east of the piedmont on the coastal plain and being on the Atlantic flyway ensures that no matter which month you visit a quality experience awaits you. Our location for birders is further enhanced by being located at the southern end of the northern nesting birds range and at the northern end of the southern nesting birds range.
You will find that the brand new Windsor Castle Park, located right in the heart of Smithfield, with over three miles of groomed and maintained walking trails and foot bridges, covering a wide range of habitats, will be the hub of your birding experience.
All of our parks offer ample free parking and many amenities such as picnic areas, numerous foot bridges or elevated walkways for your ease of access and clean facilities. Once you experience birding in Smithfield & Isle of Wight where you find so much offered to enhance your day trip or extended stay, you will return time after time to relax and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of our eco-friendly community.
Birds spotted in Smithfield & Isle of Wight County
Have you spotted a species? We welcome you to add to our list of species!
Send us an email with your name, the species of the bird, date and location of sighting plus any other musings or observations and we’ll post it on this page.
Your photos are welcome, too!
Special "thanks!" to Tiffany Beachy of the USDA-NRCS-Smithfield Office for contributing to our list!
Barred Owl
Red-taiiled Hawk Eastern Bluebird
Northern Cardinal
Great Birding Spots in Smithfield & Isle of Wight
The "Tidewater Loop" on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
Photo and map courtesy of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Fort Boykin Historic Park
7410 Ft. Boykin Trail, (757) 357-0115
Free Admission
Hours: Daily from 8:00 a.m.-dusk
Survey of Wildlife at Fort Boykin Historic Park - April 13, 2009
Survey by Stephen Living, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
Fort Boykin on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
Fort Boykin Historic Park is situated high on the bluffs of the James River about six miles west of Smithfield. Originally named "The Castle," it was later renamed for Gen. Francis Boykin, a local merchant and one-time sheriff of Smithfield, who fought alongside George Washington. Construction was begun in 1623 to protect the colonists from the Indians and raiding Spaniards. The fort, built in the shape of a seven pointed star, remains essentially intact and constitutes a well-preserved example of military architecture of the Civil War era.
From "Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail"
published by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (page 63)
"As the trail is walked, a variety of songbirds such as eastern wood-pewee, and northern cardinal may be encountered. Butterflies flitting along the bushy edges include summer azure pipevine swallowtail, American snout, and eastern tailed blue. From the bluff bald eagles and ospreys can be seen soaring over the James River, as well as more common birds such as Forster's tern and several species of swallows."
Fort Boykin Historic Park is listed on the following:
National Register of Historic Places
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Captain John Smith’s Trail: Lower Oyster Loop
The Black Walnut Tree is listed on the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project
Windsor Castle Park
301 Jericho Road, Smithfield
(757) 357-5182, (800) 365-9339
Bird Sightings in Windsor Castle Park -February 28, 2010
Submitted by Terri Cuthriell
Located right in the heart of downtown Smithfield, this 209.8 acre riverside park features a woodland trail system, picnic and play areas, a dog park, kayak and canoe launch, scenic overlook and the Windsor Castle Historic Site. For birders the park's unique setting offers a variety of habitats including marshlands, upland woods and fields. Its accessibility to the charming, historic downtown district and the town's lodging, shopping and dining venues, as well as strategically placed benches on observation decks, viewpoints and shaded areas throughout the park offer birders unparalleled opportunities to just sit, relax and "smell the roses" while enjoying your favorite pastime. The park is open year-round.
Windsor Castle Farm was originally part of a 1450 acre parcel patented in 1637 by Arthur Smith and is situated on a knoll overlooking the Pagan River. In 1750. Arthur Smith IV was granted permission by the General Assembly to lay out a section of his estate for sale. The town was laid out and became Smithfield.
The Grand Opening for the Park will be held on May 22, 2010.
The farm was purchased in 2009 with the intention of preserving the rich historic heritage of the Castle, as well as providing a passive public park on the estate grounds.
Future plans include walking and bicycle trails, canoe and kayak launch, picnic, event and demonstration areas, historic interpretation and informational displays.
The purchase of 162 acres of farm was made possible through the generous contribution of Mr. Joseph W. Luter, III. Another 46 acres was gifted to the town by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis McMurran.
Coming by boat?
The Pagan River was recently dredged by the Army Corp of Engineers and the channel is now maintained to a minimum depth of 10 feet, creating ample depth for vessels with 6-foot drafts to navigate.
Smithfield Station offers slips at a nominal fee so boaters can tie up there and enter Windsor Castle Park from the beautiful new walking bridge located just across the street.
Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area
12527 Carrollton Blvd., Carrollton
(757) 357-2291
Ragged Island on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
A beautifully natural wildlife refuge, Ragged Island is located near the James River Bridge and operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The refuge includes 1,537 acres of pine forest, sandy beaches and saltwater marshes. A short trail from the parking lot takes you to the beach along the James River. Another trail continues along the marsh to a river overlook.
From "Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail"
published by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (page 62)
"From the marsh songbirds can be seen. Depending on the season, the platform overlooking the river can provide views of gulls, bald eagle, terns, loons, and waterfowl including all three species of scoters. During migration, the pine trees near the parking lot are likely to produce any of the more than 30 species of warblers known to inhabit the WMA, as well as orioles, WMA, as well as orioles, tanagers and other songbirds."
Ragged Island is listed on the following:
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Carrollton Nike Park
Located just outside Smithfield off of Route 32
13036 Nike Park Road, Carrollton, (757) 357-2291
The park is open daily from dawn until dusk.
Carrollton Nike Park on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
The park, over 100 acres in size, offers different recreational activities and features softball and soccer fields, basketball, volleyball, tennis courts, picnic areas, nature and mountain bike trails, skate park, playgrounds, senior center and a recreation hall. In addition, there are fishing opportunities on Jones Creek and a fishing pier located in the park.
Nike Park is also the site of the Carrollton Nike Missile Battery which was operational by 1954 and was one of eight bases that made up the Norfolk Defense Area.
In 1961, the base was no longer used as a missile site, and is now home to the Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation Department. Many buildings still stand including the barracks, mess hall, administration and recreation building and officer/non-commissioned officer family housing.
From "Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail"
published by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (page 63)
"The park borders Jones Creek, so visitors can expect to see a variety of estuarine birds as well as fiddler crabs, killfish, and other invertebrates upon which these birds feed. In the trees along the open edges, visitors can watch for typical coastal woodland species including brown-headed nuthatch, and eastern kingbird. Walking trails meaner through forest, marsh, and aquatic habitats, and are extended over water by an observation deck and a crabbing pier."
Nike Park is listed on the following:
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Historic Fort Huger
15080 Talcott Terrace, Smithfield (757) 357-0115
The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until dusk.
Historic Fort Huger, the "Gateway to the Confederate Capital," is located in the northern reaches of Isle of Wight County off route 10 and 8 miles from downtown Smithfield. View the ghost fleet on the James River, take the self-guided walking tour through the new trails and see the cannon mounted along the edges of the fort. Fort Huger is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contact the Visitor Center to arrange a custom tour.
Stop by the Visitor Center for a map to Fort Huger, located 8 miles from downtown Smithfield.
Historic Fort Huger is listed on the following:
National Register of Historic Places
Captain John Smith’s Trail: Lower Oyster Loop
Additional Parks & Birding Spots in Smithfield & Isle of Wight County
Cypress Springs Farm
21455 Chestnut Lane, Zuni (757) 242-9237
Please note: Private property, reservations required
From "Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail"
published by the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (page 64)
"...an 81-acre site that has become a popular outdoor classroom among school groups of all ages. The area is composed of several forested habitats, including a swampy backwater of the Blackwater River. A variety of rare plants inhabit the property, many of which grow on the thin soils that developed over ancient beach dunes. A sandy road demarcated by a chain near the entrance pavilion leads to a cutover shrub area that can be excellent for both butterflies and dragonflies. Several bridges and boardwalks provide access to aquatic habitats inhabited by numerous species of reptiles and amphibians, including eastern kingsnake, green frog, and several species of rare orchid. During spring and summer, birdlife is conspicuous throughout the property. Woodpeckers are numerous, as are birds that favor wet understories, like hooded and prothonotary warblers, Louisiana waterthrush, and Carolina wren. Evenings spent in these swampy woodlands are apt to yield views of the brown bats that emerge on the property.
Cypress Springs Farm on the Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
Heritage Park & Joel C. Bradshaw Fairgrounds
21311 Courthouse Highway, Windsor (757) 357-2291
A 26 acre property - home of the County Fair, historic re-enactments and other outdoor events.
Riverview Park
255 James Street, Smithfield (757) 357-2291
Basketball & tennis courts, baseball & softball fields, game area, restrooms, shelter with tables, gazebo, playground, exercise court & trail, fenced tot lot.
Robinson Park
Church Street, WIndsor (757) 357-2291
This public park near the WIndsor High School has a large play area for children.
Camptown Park
33457 Carver Road, Franklin (757) 569-9810
Community center, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground, picnic shelter, softball field and soccer fields
Other Outdoor Recreational Opportunities
Spend a day or two in Smithfield & Isle of Wight...it's for the birds!
Click here for a birding itinerary.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB Staff:
Judy Hare Winslow, Director of Tourism
Lois Chapman, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Cheryl Whitener, Visitor Center Manager
Terry Rhinier, Event Coordinator
Kristin Wilda, Farmer's Market Manager
Join our email list to receive our Tour-E Newsletter listing of local events.
Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB and the Isle of Wight Arts League are partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
