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Queen Sound Landing

Description

Queen Sound Landing is a paved pull-off  for launching boats. When not busy with boaters, it offers a place to quickly view the extensive salt marshes of Chincoteague Bay and its associated salt marsh islands. The islands are typical eastern coastal salt marshes consisting of Spartina grasses. These are excellent for migrant shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, and terns. Forster’s terns often raise chicks on the small islands in the sound. Wintering waterfowl utilize the extensive bay ecosystem for feeding before returning to the breeding grounds.

A saltmarsh at low tide showing mud and green marsh grasses, with an immature clapper rail walking across the mud.

Check the mudflats in summer for immature (above) and adult clapper rails. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

Visiting this site at low tide when the mudflats become visible and can produce a large variety of shorebirds and waders, including black-necked stilts and willets.

 

Wildlife Sightings

Birds Recently Seen at Queen Sound Landing:

  • American Oystercatcher

190 species have been reported at this site to date.

Recent Checklists:

Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
23 Jan 20261Judy Jones
23 Jan 20261Barbara Houston
20 Jan 20266Gary & Helen Smith
19 Jan 20261Linda Greble 🦜
19 Jan 20266Anna Kull

See more recent checklists…

Amenities & Accessibility Considerations

Site Amenities

  • On-site Parking
  • Boat Ramp
  • No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement

Maps & Directions

View on Google Maps

Physical Location: 37286 Chincoteague Rd, Horntown, VA 23395

From US-13 just north of Oak Hall, head east on VA-175/ Chincoteague Rd. Follow the road as it winds for 7.9 miles. Bear right onto a short driveway towards the Queens Sound Boat Ramp.

Site Information

Managed By:

  • 0

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.

About the VBWT

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a network of over 600 greenspaces and blueways throughout the Commonwealth selected for their wildlife viewing potential. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook and you’ll soon see why Virginia is a premier destination for birding and wildlife viewing.

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