|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||
|
|
The Nature Conservancy in Virginia Virginia Home Contact Places We Protect News Room Field Trips and Events Volunteer Ways of Giving |
|
|
|
||||
New Point Comfort Preserve
 New Point Comfort © Harold E. Malde |
Why You Should Visit
Strategically located on a peninsula jutting into the Chesapeake Bay, the preserve is a key stopover point on the Atlantic Flyway for neo-tropical songbirds and other migratory birds. New Point Comfort has three major natural habitats: tidal salt marsh, maritime forest, and sandy beach.
Location
Western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, at the southern tip of Mathews County.
Hours
Open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Size
146 acres
Conditions
Two spots offer excellent birding: the short woods trail and along the road edge between forest and marsh. The best birding is during spring and fall migrations.
A handicapped-accessible boardwalk and observation deck extends over salt marsh, providing a view of Mobjack Bay and the historic New Point Comfort lighthouse. There are no restrooms.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
For information, contact the Virginia State Office: (434) 295-6106. Please see "Preserve Visitation Guidelines"
Directions
From Richmond:
-
Take I-64 east to the Route 33 East exit.
-
Follow Route 33 through West Point to Glenns.
-
Take Route 198 east from Glenns to Route 14.
-
Take Route 14 east to the town of Mathews.
-
In downtown Mathews, turn right to stay on Route 14. From this point, go 8.5 miles to the town of Bavon.
-
In Bavon, turn left on Route 14. Continue straight (the road becomes Route 600) for 9/10 of a mile to a fork.
-
Bear right at the fork, staying on Route 600. Park at the dead end near the boardwalk.
What to See: Animals
Migratory birds such as herons, osprey, hawks, willets, terns, brown pelicans and skimmers are frequently sighted. New Point Comfort also provides habitat for some 200 species of birds and the northeastern beach tiger beetle, which is federally listed as a threatened species.
What to See: Plants
Maritime forest, marsh grasses
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
New Point Comfort was acquired by The Conservancy as part of its effort to protect Chesapeake beach habitat.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Conservancy has enlisted the support of local residents to help monitor the preserve and take care of it. It is working with the state to protect other beach and marsh habitats along the Chesapeake Bay.
