Truitts Landing and Other Bayside Landings

Truitts Landing and Other Bayside Landings

East End of Truitts Landing Road, Girdletree, MD 21829
Additional Locations and Addresses Below

Truitts Landing is located on Brockatonorton Bay on the western shore of Chincoteague Bay in Worcester County. Despite the name “Landing,” there is no longer a boat launch located here; the road simply ends at a small sandy beach that provides an overlook of the water. Truitts Landing is one of a series of bayside sites that dot this portion of the Chincoteague Bay (read on for a list of some of the other landings), but Truitts stands out among them because Truitts Landing Road passes through agricultural fields, woodlands, and marshes before arriving at the landing [Google Map]. Thus one can sample a variety of habitats in a leisurely drive to the landing itself. Pull-offs at some spots afford the chance for extended viewing. Early morning visits in winter are particularly rewarding, with views of large flocks of wintering ducks, Snow Geese, and Tundra Swans.

Note that the lands bordering Truitts Landing Road (and most of the other landings listed below) are all privately owned, so be sure to stay on the public roadway and do not trespass by entering fields, woods, or marshes. Also be respectful of privacy for the local residents, and avoid parking near their homes. A pleasant day can be spent in the area, going to various bayside sites to sample the unique habitats that each one offers. Here are five other “landings” in the area, from north to south:

◾ Public Landing offers a view out over the Chincoteague Bay as well as the opportunity to bird a small sandy beach and view an extensive inland marsh. There is a boat launch, a long fishing pier, and a restroom. Parking is located adjacent to the boat ramp, the fishing pier, and the beach. This is a county-owned facility. At the east end of Public Landing Road/MD Route 365, accessed from US Route 113 outside Snow Hill. [Google Map]

◾ Figgs Landing. This one actually is NOT a public boat launch site; instead, Figgs Landing is a waterfront residential community where the road borders the Bay, offering the opportunity to look out over the water from the road. From US Route 113 near Snow Hill, take MD Route 12 south; then east on Ayres Lane Road; northeast on Paw Paw Creek Road; then east and north on Bayside Road; then east and south on Figgs Landing Road. [Google Map]

◾ Scotts Landing. Another site that does NOT have a public boat launch, but there is a private wharf here with a parking area that gives a good view of the water. Ask permission if anyone is working there. From US Route 113 near Snow Hill, take MD Route 12 south; then east on Ayres Lane Road; then straight ahead to go southeast onto Scotts Landing Road. [Google Map]

◾ Taylor Landing. This location has a county-owned boat ramp and fishing pier; there is a large parking area and a restroom. The site has a panoramic view of Johnson Bay (a small cove off Chincoteague Bay) and some offshore islands, as well as adjacent marsh on the mainland. Watch for birds flying to and from the islands. From MD Route 12 at Girdletree, go east on Box Iron Road and then east on Taylor Landing Road. This one is adjacent to E.A. Vaughn WMA. There is an impoundment in the marsh south of Taylor Landing Road that is part of E.A. Vaughn North Tract; this can be accessed by a short road on the right (southeast) side of Taylor Landing Road, about a half-mile before reaching Taylor Landing. See the E.A. Vaughn WMA entry for map coverage. [Google Map]

◾ George Island Landing. Another county-owned facility with a boat ramp, fishing pier, and restroom. Views of Parker Bay and Mills Island, as well as a mainland marsh adjacent to the access road and parking area. From MD Route 12 south of Girdletree, turn east on George Island Landing Road and drive to the end of the road. The north side of the road leading to this public boat launch site is part of the E.A. Vaughn WMA and can be birded on foot. [Google Map]

Paddlers can explore some of the marshlands on the bayside using the E.A. Vaughn Kayak and Canoe Trail, which was developed in 2005 through a partnership between Delmarva Low Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE), Maryland DNR, The Coastal Bays Program, and Worcester County. Three paddling routes which range in length from 3 to 6 miles can be accessed from either Taylor’s Landing or George Island Landing. A primitive camping area is also available for overnight stays. For additional information, contact the MD DNR’s Wellington Wildlife Office at (410) 543-8223. Copies of the Kayak and Canoe Trail map can be obtained by calling 1-800-852-0335 or 410-213-2297. The trail route is also indicated on the interactive map of the Maryland Public Water Access Atlas.

Birdlife:

Over 250 bird species have been reported on eBird for the bayside area. There are separate hotspots for

• Truitts Landing Rd.–Woods – 133+ species
• Truitts Landing Rd. fields – 104+ species
• Truitts Landing – 245+ species
• Public Landing – 165+ species
• Figgs Landing Rd. – 217+ species
• Scotts Landing – 199+ species
• Taylor Landing – 192+ species
• E.A. Vaughn WMA–North – 229+ species
• George Island Landing – 204+ species

During winter, the wetlands host hundreds of ducks including Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Bufflehead and Hooded and Red-breasted Merganser; Snow Geese and Tundra Swan can also be present in large numbers. Summer brings a wide variety of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and coastal specialties such as Saltmarsh and Seaside Sparrow, Black Skimmer, Tricolor Heron, Glossy Ibis, and Short-billed Dowitcher. This is a reliable site for rails; King, Virginia, and Clapper Rail are present and often heard. During spring and fall migration, the wooded road edges can host flocks of warblers and other passerines.

Wheelchair Access:

As most of the birding is done from the car or road, Truitts Landing and the other landings listed above can be great for those who are mobility-impaired.

Pet Policy: 

Pets on leash are OK, but most of these landings are near private homes, so please don’t allow your pet to make noise or run off leash. Pick up after your pet and take the bagged waste with you.

Special Designations:

Truitt’s Landing is contained within the much larger Maryland Coastal Bays Important Bird Area, as designated by the National Audubon Society. The MD Coastal Bays IBA adjoins the Assateague Island Important Bird Area to the east.

Local MOS Chapter:

The Tri-county Bird Club is the local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, serving Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties; the club offers field trips to local birding areas and meetings with informative presentations, all free and open to the public.

Parking:

Roadside or small parking areas at the sites with public boat launches. Be aware of possible soft road shoulders and ditches. Avoid parking near private homes.

Directions:

From US Route 50 west of Ocean City: Go south on US Route 13 for 18.0 miles to the town of Snow Hill, taking the bypass around the east edge of town. Then turn left to take MD Route 12/Snow Hill Road south for 1.8 miles. Turn left to go east on Cherrix Rd for 1.3 miles, then turn right to go south and east on Truitts Landing Rd and follow it to the end in about 2.3 miles. Drive slowly, but be aware of traffic. Pull over when possible to look at fields and woods edges and marshes.

See above for directions to the other landings.

Nearby Sites:

Worcester County: Assateague Island National Seashore & Assateague Island State Park ■ E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area ■ Heron Park (formerly Berlin Falls Park) ■ Isle of Wight Park & Wildlife Management Area ■ Ocean City Inlet & Sunset Park ■ Ocean City: Skimmer Island (4th Street Mudflats) ■ Pocomoke River State Park – Shad Landing & Milburn Landing ■  Pocomoke State Forest – Hickory Point Cypress Swamp Natural Area ■ South Point ■ Sun Outdoors Ocean City (formerly Castaways Campground)  ■  West Ocean City Park-n-Ride & Homer Gudelsky Park ■ West Ocean City Pond

Habitats:

Bottomland Deciduous ForestsConifersHedgerows Agricultural Crop Fields or Fallow FieldsOld Fields, Shrubby Meadows Forested SwampFreshwater Marsh or FloodplainJetties & SeawallsMud Flats (Tidal or Non-Tidal)Open Ocean, Bay, or EstuarySalt or Brackish Marsh

Features:

Birding By CarBoat or Canoe/Kayak LaunchFishingFree - No Entry Fee at Any TimeHuntingParkingWater ViewWheelchair Accessible Features

Type:

Audubon Important Bird AreasHunting AreasState ForestsState Natural Areas & WildlandsThe Rivers of the Eastern ShoreWater Trails