Queen Sound Landing

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.

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.