Mike77 Loc: Ontario

I'm heading to the Virginia Beach area, this weekend and would love to take some shorebirds/wildlife photos. Does anybody familiar with the area have any suggestions. Thanks in advance! Mike

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some ideas -
https://www.google.com/search?q=virginia+beach+images&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHzMr4m67UAhXLCD4KHRsWCLAQsAQIJw&biw=1920&bih=950

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

shothotspot.com

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Mike, we lived in VA Beach a long while back and haveonly been back a few times since. During the summer it's pretty crowded along the beach and boardwalk area down town, especially if there is some festival in progress. Fortunately most of the beach area is open to the public; north of the Cavalier hotel on the Atlantic Ave, the beach crowd used to be less; you might try there. You used to be able to park on the side roads toward the ocean and walk about 150 yards to the beaches; that may not be true today. Further North Cape Henry Road branches off of Atlantic to the right and will take you to the Cape Henry Lighthouses; there is parking there and I suspect a walk path to the beach where there probably are not too many people. The "First Landing State Park and Natural Area" may have opportunities; it is west of the lighthouses, but I can't tell you how to get there; there must be some directional signs on the roads When I was stationed at Ft. Story, it was pretty much an open base and anyone with ID could enter to visit , but in these days of Homeland Security, that may not be the case. Best current advice would probably be available at a visitors center in town.

The entire Tidewater area is interesting; I'm sure you will enjoy the trip.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

there is an app for smart phones for Va beach parks. cant remember its exact name, its put out by the city and shows nature trails etc.
that may be some help. I had it on my old phone. We came across the Bay Bridge Tunnel and were just passing thru heading south.
so we visited a few parks from the app.

jkatpc Loc: Virginia Beach

I live in Virginia Beach. A good place to go would be Back Bay Wildlife refuge. There is access to the shore there (non-bathing--just wildlife viewing), as well as walks along dikes and other trails.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yeah..here's a suggestion...don't go in the water unless you want to be shark bait.

CO

If you have enough time, you could head north to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. It's an incredible place for wildlife photos. You can also photograph the wild horses there. I go there from time to time.

Mike77 Loc: Ontario

I'll definitely check that out, thanks a lot! Mike

tdekany Loc: Oregon

The OP is going to Virginia Beach, not Australia.

Shootist Loc: Wyoming

I know you said shorebirds but you will be a short drive from the Great Dismal Swamp located along the VA / NC boarder. Here is a site to look at https://www.ncparks.gov/dismal-swamp-state-park. It is a large wild area of exceptional beauty. But then, being from that area I am somewhat prejudiced.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Learn about shark attacks:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92568&page=1

http://wtkr.com/2015/06/16/what-types-of-sharks-lurk-close-to-the-virginia-beach-shore/

The US is the location of 2/3s of the shark attacks in the world. Not Australia . . . Just sayin'

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

if you are taking pics on the beach make sure you have something covering your camera. sand is bad for camera unless you have a weather "prove" camera.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

Sand is bad for the camera and salt may be worse. Here's a good article on shark attack:

https://www.seeker.com/shark-attacks-what-are-the-odds-1765086926.html

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

I live in Virginia Beach also and recommend Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. Bring bug spray. It has been a wet spring and the mosquitoes are waiting for you.