Tangier Island, Virginia, is in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, located between the Eastern Shore and the Northern Neck of Virginia.
Measuring less than one square mile, the Town of Tangier is comprised of three low-lying islands joined by small bridges. Most of the island is comprised of tidally inundated marshland. The marshes provide habitat for several heron species, glossy ibis, and numerous clapper rails and seaside sparrows.
An effective way to observe the area’s wildlife is by kayaking along the town’s water trails. The Orange Trail encircles the Town of Tangier by flowing under several bridges and through the harbor. Sightings include belted kingfisher, laughing gulls, and Foster’s terns as well as stingrays in the shallows of Cod Harbor.
From the southwest end of this trail, take the Blue Trail through marshes where you may find periwinkle snails, fiddler crabs, and willet.
The Yellow Trail follows directly south off the Orange Trail to an isolated beach where brown pelicans, American oystercatchers, and gulls line the southern tip while a nesting colony of terns and black skimmers reside to the northeast in late summer.
From the north end of the Orange Trail, head east toward Port Isobel to find osprey and Northern gannet as well as various other species along this island’s pedestrian trail.
Or, continue north from the main trail up to the Pink Trail, another circular path that encompasses the “Uppards.” Formerly home to about 600 people, including a school and grocery stores, these marshlands provide habitat to songbirds, northern harrier, warblers, common yellowthroat, and peregrine falcon.
— From the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
Tangier Island, Virginia 