| Bird watchers, photographers and nature lovers pour | | | | oyster catchers, loons, grebes, plovers and other birds. |
| into Virginia during National Waterfowl Week at | | | | Much of the waterfowl remain at Chincoteague |
| Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge. Chincoteague and | | | | Wildlife Refuge throughout the winter. |
| Assateague Islands are along the Atlantic flyway, on | | | | Photographers take pictures by the hundreds during |
| the eastern shore of Virginia. | | | | this dramatic event. The refuge layout allows |
| The islands are popular summer vacation spots, but | | | | photographers of all skill levels to have an opportunity |
| are year round attractions for bird watchers and | | | | to capture wildlife on film or digital media. |
| nature lovers. Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, | | | | The snow geese and many of the visiting ducks |
| Assateague National Seashore and Chincoteague | | | | migrate north in early spring. A few ducks and a |
| Island are located within a few hours of Baltimore | | | | sizeable population of Canada geese remain and raise |
| Maryland, Washington DC, and Hampton Roads | | | | young on the island. |
| Virginia. | | | | Other year round residents include the egrets and |
| The annual event is extremely popular among birders | | | | herons which occupy every stretch of canal and |
| and travelers to the area. The star attractions are the | | | | marsh. |
| snow geese, which arrive by the thousands just in time | | | | In addition to the wildlife loop, naturalists can spot birds |
| for the event. | | | | and other wildlife along the beaches, around the hiking |
| Visitors drive, bike or walk onto the wildlife loop, where | | | | trails. The island has a nice array of sites to see and |
| a road encircles a large lagoon. Vehicles are quickly | | | | photograph in addition to waterfowl. |
| abandoned as camera tripods go up, and families find | | | | The wild ponies of Assateague Island and the |
| the trumpeting and antics of the geese too irresistible | | | | lighthouse are two famous attractions that few visitors |
| to remain inside. | | | | can resist. The area also has clamming, fishing, |
| During the late fall the refuge is also visited by | | | | kayaking and other outdoor activities. |
| Canadian geese, swans, brant, ducks, herons, egrets, | | | | |