Description
Hog Island is actually a 3,908-acre peninsula that juts into the brackish waters of the James River, creating a mosaic of tidewater habitats that include marsh, tidal channels, swamp, and beach. Agricultural fields and loblolly pine forests surround freshwater sources such as Lawnes Neck and Lower Chippokes Creek. This diversity of habitats, including the large shallow impoundments of Fishhouse Bay and Homewood Creek, attract a vast number of birds, and an exploration of the area will produce a large number of species at any time of the year. Birding the area effectively requires leaving the main road and striking off on foot along the trails that separate the peninsula’s major impoundments. Over 30 species of waterfowl and 35 species of shorebirds have been recorded at Hog Island, largely from the wetlands at the northern end of the peninsula. Large flocks of American white pelicans are common, something unique to this WMA. Birding the Carlisle Tract, south of the power plants, gives access to upland communities absent further north. Winter, perhaps the most interesting time to bird this site, brings an assortment of different birds including snow buntings, flocks of snow geese, bufflehead, mergansers, ring-necked and ruddy ducks, and large numbers of bald eagles.
To Access the Site:
- You will need to stop at the power plant’s security checkpoint and have photo identification ready. During times of high security, vehicles may be searched or access to this site may be restricted.
- A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
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Hours: Sunrise until sunset.
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Open Sundays, main road only: October 1 – March 15
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All areas open daily: March 16 – September 30
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- This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Hog Island WMA website.
- If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Hog Island Wildlife Management Area:
278 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Jan 2026 | 43 | barbara giffin |
| 11 Jan 2026 | 43 | Joyce Lowry |
| 11 Jan 2026 | 43 | Nancy Barnhart |
| 4 Jan 2026 | 38 | Peter Van Veld |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 28 | M Heidel |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Site Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Observation Tower/Platform, Viewing Blinds
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 7938 Hog Island Rd, Surry, VA 23883
From Surry, head east on VA-10/Colonial Trail E, turn left onto SR-617/Bacons Castle Trail, turn right onto SR-628/Burnt Mills Rd, turn left onto SR-650/Hog Island Rd, and stop at the power plant security gate before proceeding into the WMA.
Site Information
Managed By:
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.