Important Notices For This Site
| Notice |
|---|
| Seasonal Road Closures on WMAsSeasonal roads on Wildlife Management Areas are being closed early where possible due to the persistent poor winter conditions. These roads will remain closed until their scheduled spring opening the first Saturday in April. The public is asked to please use caution and if possible, avoid utilizing WMA roads that are open all year during inclement winter weather and poor road conditions. |
Description
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ Mockhorn Island Wildlife Management Area is an Atlantic coastal island of over 7,000 acres of prime tidal marsh. The 356-acre mainland tract, is the only area of Mockhorn Island WMA accessible by car. (Access to the island’s expansive cordgrass saltmarsh and loblolly pine, red cedar, and wax myrtle dominated hummocks is by boat only.) The area consists of dense woodlands of pine, oak, and hackberry and some marsh habitat. Spring and fall bring a good selection of migrating wood warblers and shorebirds, and winter produces good numbers of waterfowl. Summer butterflies and dragonflies also add diversity to this site. The woodland trail requires viewing up into the canopy and access into the thicker stands is limited. During the summer though, the woods can be alive with the songs of breeding birds. Large numbers of wintering waterfowl, migrating shorebirds, and songbirds occur at this site, and migrating raptors can be seen along the coast. Wildlife viewing at this site is predictable and not particularly contingent on any one season, although summer is the least productive time of the year.
Notes:
- To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
- This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Mockhorn Island WMA website.
- If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.
Wildlife Sightings
178 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Mockhorn Island Wildlife Management Area:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 2025 | 1 | Kathy Richardson |
| 30 Dec 2025 | 1 | Debbie Schroeder |
| 30 Dec 2025 | 10 | Kathy Richardson |
| 30 Dec 2025 | 10 | Debbie Schroeder |
| 3 Sep 2025 | 14 | Baxter Beamer |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Location: Jones Cove Dr, Cape Charles, VA 23310
From US-13, turn right (east) onto Latimer Siding Rd. Drive .2 miles, then turn left (north) on VA-600. Travel .6 miles, then turn right on Jones Cove Dr (Rte 730) and continue .8 miles. The WMA entrance will be on your right.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Daily. Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
Contact Information:
- Virginia DWR Region 1 Office: 804-829-6580, Contact Us
- 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.