Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Release

Directions

Please visit the Berkeley Plantation website for directions.  Alternatively, use Google/MapQuest to obtain the best directions from your location to the Berkeley address:

12602 Harrison Landing Road Charles City, Virginia 23030 For the eagle release, there will be a directional sign at the front of Berkeley Plantation’s driveway.  Rather than taking a slight right onto Harrison Landing (which leads to the main Berkeley Plantation mansion), bear left toward Westover Plantation. Take an immediate right (look for the “eagle release” sign) onto a gravel driveway [if you pass the sign that notes that Westover Plantation is two miles ahead, you have missed the turn to Berkeley]. Follow the gravel road straight back for 1.1 miles.  You will pass small silos on your left.  Once you pass a sunflower field on your right, the parking lot will be on your right.   

Google Earth images of the Eagle Release Area

Click on each image to enlarge.  

Additional information on Berkeley Plantation

For guests  coming to the eagle release who would like a tour of the mansion, Berkeley is graciously offering  a special discounted group-rate of  $9.25 per person.   Tickets may be purchased at Berkeley's Gift Shop.  Gifts, snacks, and beverages are also sold at the gift shop.   Costumed guides conduct tours of the 1726 mansion from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm.  The tour includes an audio-visual program and museum exhibit. Berkeley is the site of the first official Thanksgiving in America.  Berkeley is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times governor of Virginia.  The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the U.S.  During the Civil War, Berkeley was occupied by the  Union Army.  While at Berkeley, General  Daniel Butterfield composed the familiar tune "Taps", first played by his bugler, O.W. Norton.  The Georgian mansion is furnished with a magnificent collection of 18th century antiques.  Berkeley is a Virginia and National Historic Landmark. [We recommend that tours be taken AFTER the eagle release.]

Where to stay

For those out-of-town guests who will be spending a couple of days in the area, Charles City County has several inns and bed & breakfasts.  Accommodations can also be found in Richmond (25 west of Berkeley) , Williamsburg (30 miles east of Berkeley) or Hopewell and Chester  (15 miles south of Berkeley). Charles City B&B's: Edgewood 1-800-296-3343 or (804) 829-2962 North Bend Plantation (804) 829-5176 Piney Grove (804) 829-2480

What to bring

To help you best plan for the day, the WCV recommends bringing the following:
  • Water 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Sunglasses 
  • Bug spray
  • Camp chair or blanket
  • Snack/lunch
Eagle release guests are welcome to stay on the grounds for a picnic lunch following the release.  Please do not bring dogs to the eagle release.   And please be gracious guests and pick up any litter. Everyone is welcome to take photos of this special day – though please bear in mind that not everyone will be able to be close to the eagles.  The Wildlife Center will have professional photographers on hand to commemorate the event – and these photos will be available for viewing later.  We’d encourage you to not worry too much about the “perfect shot” – and to enjoy this terrific event! Friends at WVEC have confirmed that they plan on providing a live web streaming of the release on the Eagle Cam page, starting at 11:00 a.m.  The last eagle released will likely be on WVEC's noon newscast.  We're extremeley greatful to WVEC for providing this exciting coverage.  Lastly, a special release day message from WCV friends:   We look forward to seeing you on July 27.