Walking Tour of Fisherman's Island (Focuses on History and Wildlife)

Our Plan: We will meet at the Virginia Beach Central Library at 7:45am. We will meet on the far side of the parking lot nearest Virginia Beach Boulevard and away from the library. I have a gold Ford Taurus, I should be there when you get there. Look for that. We will leave promptly at 7:55, so please be on time! We should reach the Visitor Center by 8:45 to begin our tour.

The tour introduces visitors to the unique variety of wildlife found on the island. As you pass through several habitats, you will learn about wildlife management on refuges, explore the diversity of wildlife, and discover the rich history of Fisherman Island and the role it played during World War II.

Once we are finished with our tour we will spend some time browsing the visitor center. Everyone on the tour will receive a 10% discount in the gift shop located inside the visitor center. If there is interest we may stop for lunch on the way back. We should return about 2 o’clock.

What to bring: Water for the walking tour, camera, binoculars (also available to borrow at the visitor center), and a few dollars cash to chip in on gas & the toll for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Please dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.

Food/Snacks: Please be advised that picnicking is prohibited on Fisherman Island, and eating is discouraged; however, tour participants may bring water and snacks, and are responsible for taking out all trash. No trash or food whatsoever, including apple cores, bread crusts or peanuts shells, should be discarded.

Pets: Due to the nature of this trip, pets are not allowed to attend this outing. If you show up with pets, you will be asked to leave.

RSVPing: Due to the nature of this trip, it is being limited to 25 participants. Please do not RSVP unless you are sure you can attend.

Information about our Destination:

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Refuge consists of 1,393 acres. Of that total acreage, 1,285 acres are located at the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula in Northampton County, Virginia, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The remaining 108 acres are located on Skidmore Island, which lies one mile east of the mainland. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Refuge contains a variety of habitats such as maritime forest, myrtle and bayberry thickets, grassland, fresh and brackish ponds, tidal salt marsh, and beach. The refuge and its adjoining woodlands are considered one of the most important migratory bird concentration points along the East Coast. This importance stems from the fact that the Delmarva Peninsula acts as a geographic funnel for migratory birds in the fall. Millions of migratory birds rest and feed on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Refuge until favorable winds assist them in crossing the Chesapeake Bay.

Fisherman Island is Virginia's southernmost barrier island. It is separated from the Eastern Shore of Virginia Refuge by approximately one-half mile of sea called Fisherman's Inlet. Accretion continues to expand the island's size, currently estimated at 1,850 acres. Habitat succession has formed a mosaic of vegetative communities capable of withstanding the harsh conditions present on the island. The variety of habitats combined with the geographic location of the island, the accessibility of food, protective shrub and thicket cover, and minimal human disturbance make this island an important stopover location for migratory birds. Fisherman Island, however, is not undisturbed. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which links mainland Virginia to the eastern shore, cuts through the western part of the island.

The Virginia barrier island chain, which includes Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, is one of only 17 sites in the United States classified as a "Wetland of International Importance." The refuge is the southernmost island in the chain, separated from Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge by approximately one-half mile of sea called Fisherman's Inlet.

Fisherman Island was established in 1969 to protect critical habitats for coastal species such as royal terns and brown pelicans. This 1850-acre island includes upland forests, brackish ponds, expansive salt marshes and miles of sandy beaches and grass-covered dunes. Herons, egrets, ibis, songbirds, osprey, and shorebirds all make their homes here while thousands of other species depend on the island as a resting and feeding stop along their migration route.

All info in green was “stolen” from the Fisherman Island’s website.