The wide expanse of beach at the mouth of Scott Creek, a pond in the marsh, the creek, and surrounding lowlands and slopes support varied bird life at any season. Be sure to respect any seasonal closures of parts of the beach to protect Snowy Plovers.
Directions. Park along the shoulder of Hwy 1 south of where it crosses Scott Creek (milepost 31.55), 2.5 miles from Davenport.
Birds. Snowy Plovers nest on this beach, and many dozens often congregate here in fall and winter. In winter the beach may host a full assortment of gulls (11 species have been found here) and various shorebirds, including Black Oystercatcher at the rocky northern end. Look for Common Merganser near the creek mouth in spring and summer. If the creek level is low in the fall, migrants such as Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpiper may forage in the mud. The riparian habitat upstream (permission required to enter) has had rare migrant landbirds. Ponds in the marsh have wintering ducks (chiefly Ring-necked and Ruddy, but sometimes Canvasback and Lesser Scaup), Sora, Virginia Rail, and occasionally American Bittern. Tricolored Blackbirds sometimes roost here in the winter. Breeding birds include Cinnamon Teal (rare), Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and American Goldfinch. Scan for raptors near the marsh and surrounding slopes.