Starlings Island
In the Chesapeake Bay, just offshore of Saxis, VA

     Believed to be between 75 to 90 acres in size, Starlings Island's unique location and proximity to the mainland make it an ideal location for a year round home or a vacation getaway. It offers unparalleled views of the Chesapeake Bay in one direction and thousands of acres of pristine marsh in the other. With the village of Saxis and all utilities only a stone's throw away, island living with all of life's conveniences is possible.
     Starlings Island is located in the Pocomoke Sound, a part of the Chesapeake Bay near Saxis, Virginia. Saxis is on the Western coast of Virginia's Eastern Shore, within a few miles of the Virginia/Maryland border, approximately 90 miles North of Norfolk, Virginia or 50 miles South of Salisbury, Maryland. The major cities of Washington, DC, Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, VA are all about three and one half hours away. Many people are familiar with Chincoteague, VA and Assateague Island which are on the Eastern coast of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Saxis is roughly due West of Chincoteague on the opposite side of the Eastern Shore.
     County tax records list Starlings Island as 23 acres in size, but one look will show that this is a large underestimate.  Analysis of aerial imagery has suggested a size of between 75 and 90 acres. A GPS receiver was used while walking along the perimeter of the Island at high tide and while soft ground prevented a complete walk of the island, the data collected yielded an estimated size of about 75 acres.  The wooded area is estimated to be 4 1/2 acres in size and the grass areas are estimated to be 5 1/2 acres in size. 
    The wooded area of the island is dominated by scrub cherries and scrub plums with underlying grasses. There is a stand of pines on the northwest corner. Smaller pines are popping up all around the island. There are also a few locust trees, gums and cedars.
     The Island is home to a diverse range of wildlife. A wide variety of birds visit the island year round and bald eagle sightings are common. Several owls call the island home.  Deer visit the Island regularly and as many as 5 have been spotted at one time. Does with fawns are often seen during the spring and summer months. Smaller animals include raccoons, opossums, mice and voles.
      To the Northeast, just across the channel from Starlings Island is the incorporated town of Saxis.  Actually an island itself, Saxis is linked to the mainland by a narrow road across the marsh.  In years gone by it was a major hub for fishing, crabbing and oystering operations.  The decline in the oyster population brought major changes to Saxis and today it has become a sleepy little town with just under 400 residents.  In recent years Saxis has become more of a vacation town with many houses used as summer get-aways.  Crabbing still plays a part in Saxis and the harbor is home base to a number of baymen and there are several 'shedding houses' which handle soft shell crabs. The town of Saxis operates a 80 slip marina with a boat ramp adjacent to the Harbor.
     To the East is the Saxis Wildlife Management Area, a 5,500 acre wetland owned by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The area is managed as a black duck breeding and wintering ground. A variety of other birds also take advantage of the excellent habitat. Rough-legged hawk and short-eared owl visit in the winter, as well as grebes, loons, and migrating gulls. The Free School Marsh, which is adjacent to Starlings Island, is prime habitat for seaside sparrow and marsh wren.  Countless fiddler crabs inhabit the sloughs that transect the marsh, providing food for large wading birds such as little blue herons and great egrets.
     To the South is Tunnels Island, a privately owned island which is estimated to be over 1,000 acres is size. Almost all of the island is wetlands, except for one narrow strip of trees in the center of the island. It is believed to be unbuildable.
     To the North and West are unspoiled views of Pocomoke Sound and the Chesapeake Bay! In the distance are a few atolls and shadowy traces of Northern Neck of Virginia, 25 miles across the Bay.
     Less than half an hour away on the Eastern Coast of the Eastern Shore are the Assateague Island National Seashore and the village of Chincoteague. Both are popular destinations in the summer.

For further information visit www.StarlingsIsland.com
or contact Dave@StarlingsIsland.com
All information contained in this listing has been gathered from reliable sources, but is not guaranteed.