Fellow Birders,
The fully formatted write-up with 100 photographs and hyperlinks to all the
cited eBird reports is available on the web here:
http://www.beachbirding.com/journal/pe-20190210. Past entries of this
thrice-monthly journal are accessible here: http://www.beachbirding.com
/journal-index/.
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Record-setting heat arrived in early February across southeast Virginia,
which made this a rather interesting first period for the late winter
season. Early on, frigid temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast states
continued to push waterfowl into much of Virginia, and while we did benefit
a bit here on the coast, it seemed to be the drastic rise and drop of
temperatures later in the period that really boosted our sightings locally.
All told, the Early February period produced a total of 153 species
reported to eBird in the city, including two additions to the Virginia
Beach calendar year list which now sits at 173 species! Most reports this
period originated along the immediate coast, with the Williamsburg Bird
Club’s boat trip to the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel greatly
aiding in the number of lists submitted. Highlights this period across the
city included new rarity records for COMMON MERGANSER, AMERICAN WHITE
PELICAN, PAINTED BUNTING, PURPLE FINCH & LINCOLN’S SPARROW continuing
rarity records for HARLEQUIN DUCK, WESTERN GREBE, PARASITIC JAEGER,
BLACK-HEADED GULL & SNOW BUNTING, new unseasonal records for BLUE-WINGED
TEAL, continuing unseasonal records for BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, late
records for lingering BLACK SKIMMERS, first-of-year records for
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and interesting records for SNOW GOOSE, BRANT,
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, RAZORBILL & ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER!
Kicking things off, we notched our fourth location of the year (and fifth
for the winter season) to produce a record for COMMON MERGANSER when a
single female was observed with a group of Red-breasted Mergansers at
Pleasure House Point NA on 2 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). This group of
mergansers was observed foraging along Pleasure House Creek, moving
upstream into the portion of the creek that sits just south of Shore Drive
and east of the Bayville Golf Club. Also relating to Common Merganser,
Sherwood Lakes continued to support a group of all females with a peak
count of ten being observed this period with the last records appearing on
10 Feb (ph. Nancy Barnhart [7], vis. Tommy Maloney [6]). This group was
originally found back on 27 Jan (ph. Prashant A.), with the most recent
record occurring 5 Feb (vis. Robert Ake). With other records of single
females last period occurring at Little Island Park on 22 Jan (vis. Andrew
Baldelli) and on the North Landing River on 26 Jan (ph. Steve Coari & Laura
Mae), all waterways seem worth checking for this species, though they tend
to prefer clear, freshwater as opposed to brackish/saltwater (the Pleasure
House Point individual being an obvious exception)!
Only the second record for the year, a pair of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS were
photographed in flight from Rudee Inlet on 2 Feb (ph. Greg Moyers, vis.
David Bridge, Paul Sumner & Matt Wangerin). Back on 20 Jan, a flock of 15
American White Pelicans was observed at Back Bay NWR (ph. Keith Roberts,
vis. Clark Olsen), and likely this same group was then later viewed from
Rudee Inlet the same day (vis. Tracy Tate). It is possible some of them may
have set down on Lake Rudee or another body of water nearby, but it seems
more likely that this more recent pair might be separate individuals,
perhaps moving from Pea Island NWR in NC to Blackwater NWR in MD, or to Hog
Island WMA in Surry County, VA. These are the three locations nearest to us
that seem to hold the species as residents rather than catching birds
solely passing through like we’re accustomed to.
While there are several known locations (all at private residences) where
PAINTED BUNTINGS have been observed this year so far, a new location did
pop up during early February when a female/immature type bird was logged in
Lynnhaven on 2 Feb (ph. Catherine Johnson). Another female/immature was
observed at a private residence in Kempsville on 3 Feb (ph. Teresa Conlon).
Though this individual has likely been present since it’s first report date
of 7 Nov 2018, it hadn’t been observed since 15 Dec 2018 so it was nice to
see another report come in from this location. Adult males have been harder
to find in the city, though several are present in at least one undisclosed
location in central Virginia Beach. Unfortunately, there are just no public
locations known where this species winters in the city.
Following suit with Painted Buntings, PURPLE FINCHES were picked up at a
new location, found again at a continuing location, and unfortunately not
observed anywhere on public property this period! A private residence in
Laurel Cove had recently been visited by a male Purple Finch back on 27
Jan, but this period yielded a female visitor on 4 Feb (ph. Loretta
Silvia). Two additional records of ‘new’ Purple Finches occurred during
early February, with single males being photographed at First Landing SP on
8 Feb (ph. June McDaniels) and at a private residence in Larkspur on 10 Feb
(ph. Steve Myers). As far as continuing Purple Finches go, a group of three
was reported in South Shore Estates on 4 Feb (vis. James Marcum), and
individuals have been observed off-and-on at that residence dating back to
28 Nov 2018. It really has been a banner season for Purple Finch in
Virginia Beach, though records on public land have been very difficult to
come by. The upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count might help ferret out some
additional reports next period.
We added our 13th species of sparrow (not including Eastern Towhee, but
including Dark-eyed Junco) for the calendar year this period when a single
LINCOLN’S SPARROW was discovered at Princess Anne WMA’s Whitehurst Tract on
10 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). Winter records for this species throughout
Virginia area difficult to come by, though wintering individuals are
slightly more expected to occur here in the southeastern portion of the
state (like with most species) due to our milder climate during Dec-Feb.
However, there has only been one other individual noted in the city this
winter season, that being the single bird found at Taste on Shore Drive
from 3-14 Dec 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli; later photographed on 8 Dec, ph.
Rob Bielawski, Lisa Rose & Jason Strickland). Aside from these two records,
the last one known in the city was way back on 9 Jan 2018 at Ashville Park
(ph. Mary Catherine Miguez). Surprisingly, none were found here during fall
migration, which is typically the peak movement for this species (early
October specifically).
The immature male HARLEQUIN DUCK lingering around Lynnhaven Inlet since at
least 31 Dec 2018 (Little Creek CBC) was again observed this period, on 3
Feb (ph. Andrew Rapp & Matt Wangerin, and observed by a great many others
on the Williamsburg Bird Club boat trip), also on 7 Feb (vis. Sahas Barve,
William Muhic & Russell Winter; later vis. Cindy Hamilton) and then
extensively photographed on 10 Feb (ph. Prashant A.). This has been a
hit-or-miss bird for many, though it seems to move into Long Creek with the
incoming tide, then probably moves out as the tide falls. It has mostly
been observed from the creekside of Dockside Restaurant, and other adjacent
properties as it forages along the hardened/bulkhead shoreline and offshore
tidal reefs. Interestingly, despite the Williamsburg Bird Club boat trip
heading out to the four islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (two in
Virginia Beach, two in Northampton), this was the Harlequin Duck to get
logged. Typically, it is the reverse, with most boat trips finding at least
one around the islands, but not seeing any inshore. In fact, aside from
this individual, there is only one other report so far this winter season
in the state as a whole, with two observed on North Chesapeake Island of
the CBBT in Northampton on 26 Dec 2018 (vis. Edward Brinkley) during an
annual Boxing Day seawatch. That said, there was also a single record at
Little Island Park on 9 Nov (vis. Tracy Tate), and an individual logged
from 10-13 Nov at Rudee Inlet (ph. Mark Sopko, Stuart Sweetman & Elizabeth
Wilkins as part of a Hampton Roads Bird Club outing) though these would
both be considered fall records by ornithological journals, but still
should be counted as part of this ‘winter season’.
The miraculous WESTERN GREBE first found at Back Bay NWR way back on 3 Dec
(ph. Diane Hinch & Maggee Smith; later ph. Charlie Bruggemann) was again
observed this period from the Little Island Park pier on 5 Feb (ph. Dixie
Sommers). Given there has not been a single other Western Grebe reported on
the entire East Coast since this one, it seems ‘reasonably’ safe to assume
this is the same individual moving along the coastline. Also, it seems
pretty likely that this could be the same bird that has been found near
here the past pair of winters. Of course, it is difficult to say for
certain and maybe we even have more than one present in the area. However,
we’ll never know until more than one gets observed at the same time (or
very near to it). This ‘individual’ was observed at Back Bay NWR only from
3-6 Dec, then was first picked up at Little Island Park during the Back Bay
CBC on 29 Dec, lingering into this period with only one other record, back
on 5 Jan.
A single PARASITIC JAEGER was noted harassing gulls off the Little Island
Park pier in the late morning of 9 Feb (vis. Robert Ake). A first at this
location dating back to 5 Jan when another individual was noted, the only
other record(s) so far in the city this year have been a single jaeger
viewed from the VA Aquarium Whales & Wildlife boat trips offshore of the
oceanfront resort area in mid-and-late January (see those entries for more
information). As we get closer to spring, this species could start popping
up along the coast with more frequency, given that most records occur
during transitional months and individuals in true winter are tougher to
observe. Though, the fall migration in early November seems to still be the
best time of year to observe jaegers from shore with 2017’s migration
standing out as the season to beat in terms of sheer numbers of jaegers
that passed by our coastline.
An adult BLACK-HEADED GULL, likely the same individual that had been
reported on the Lynnhaven Inlet tidal flats on 13 Jan (vis. Andrew
Baldelli), was observed at Pleasure House Point NA on 2 Feb (ph. Rob
Bielawski; later ph. Steve Myers). This individual was observed dip-feeding
with a group of five Bonaparte’s Gulls over the same school of fish that
the Common Merganser female & Red-breasted Mergansers mentioned earlier
were chasing/feeding on along the upstream tidal reaches of Pleasure House
Creek. A separate report at Rudee Inlet on 4 Feb (vis. Tom Beatty) could
pertain to this same individual if it is moving around with the tide cycle
between the Lynnhaven Estuary and the inlet; or we could have more than one
present in the city, which wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary for
southeast Virginia in terms of recent years’ records.
Last of the continuing rarities, the small flock of SNOW BUNTINGS that took
up residency starting on 12 Dec 2018 (ph. Stephen Keith) on the dune/beach
line of the oceantfront’s north end was again picked up this period
starting on 2 Feb (ph. Allen Bryan) after an absence of almost a month! The
peak count for the flock this winter was 16 back on 26 Dec (ph. Susan
Remmie), with a peak of 14 observed this period from 4 Feb (ph. Andrew
Baldelli & Cindy Hamilton) through 5 Feb (vis. Cathy Williamson). Reports
thus far have all ranged from 88th to 82nd Street, though the same habitat
continues south to 58th Street so there is a good chance they’re using that
whole stretch of vegetated dunes and being missed frequently as a result.
We had a pair of unseasonally-occuring species noted again this period,
with BLUE-WINGED TEAL leading things off since they were reported from a
new location for the year. Three individuals were first observed at Little
Island Park on 1 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli), with additional reports for
two individuals on 4 Feb (vis. James Marcum) and on 5 Feb (vis. Andrew
Baldelli). Previously, the only other winter records in the city occurred
at Back Bay NWR on 29 Jan (vis. Robert Ake) & 2 Dec 2018 on the Virginia
Society of Ornithology outing, and at Princess Anne WMA’s Beasley Tract on
6 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski). The species is likely present each winter
somewhere around Back Bay, but getting to them is likely the problem.
Two separate records for continuing BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS popped up this
period, with singles at Pleasure House Point NA and in Great Neck Estates.
The former was first observed back on 6 Jan off of Dinwiddie Drive (ph.
Nathaniel Abrahams, Logan Anderson, Carson Lambert, Andrew Rapp, Garrett
Rhyne, Sam Simon & Robert Wood) and then amusingly found by two members of
the same group again on 3 Feb following the Williamsburg Bird Club boat
trip (ph. Carson Lambert & Andrew Rapp). The Great Neck Estates individual
was observed first on 11 Jan (vis. J.A.) and then re-found at the same site
on 5 Feb (vis. J.A.). A third wintering individual that had been recorded
throughout January at Stumpy Lake NA ended up being reported right at the
close of the period on 10 Feb (ph. Reuben Rohn), so we still have at least
three Black-and-whites being seen within the city this winter which is
quite remarkable!
As mentioned in the late January journal, with an expected departure date
of 20 Jan in an average year, lingering BLACK SKIMMERS managed to continue
to best the eBird filters this season. Though wintering is rarely observed
in the state, Lynnhaven Inlet tends to be the most expected site for this
to occur. A single individual has persisted at the inlet, visible from
Pleasure House Point NA through at least 9 Feb (vis. Anonymous), though the
last photo record (thus far) occurred on 7 Feb (ph. Cindy Hamilton). This
is the only Black Skimmer still being reported in the state as a whole, and
thus far Virginia Beach & Norfolk are the only cities/counties with records
in Virginia during 2019. Perhaps given the unseasonal heat we experienced
in early February we’ll see this individual linger all the way through to
the spring season?
Having logged 171 species in Virginia Beach to eBird during January, there
wasn’t much left out there in the city to be added during early February.
However, a single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER observed on the tidal flats where
Long Creek hits the Lynnhaven on 4 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli) did provide a
first-of-year record, for species #172 on the year in the city and the
Lincoln’s Sparrow mentioned in more detail above provided a second new
species this period, allowing us to close out with 173 species on the
calendar year in Virginia Beach. Black-bellied Plover is similar to Willet
(which also showed up on that particular checklist), in that it is a common
species during winter both north and south of Virginia Beach. However,
finding one within the city is quite a struggle, so anytime one pops up it
is exciting.
Additionally, we had a few other not-necessarily-noteworthy, but still
interesting observations this period. SNOW GEESE have begun flocking up in
the fields of southern Virginia Beach, and a massive group was foraging
along Muddy Creek Road just north of Nanney’s Creek road on 9-10 Feb (ph.
J Sherwood, ph. Laura Mae, ph. Karen & Tom Beatty, ph. Rob Bielawski). A
single BRANT was observed in flight over Lake Smith on 5 Feb (vis. Tracy
Tate), and likely originated at Oliver’s Point where an out-of-place group
had been reported during January by the same observer. Another individual
of an out-of-place waterfowl species, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, was observed on
the north pond at Sherwood Lakes on 2 Feb (ph. Charlie Bruggemann). This
made for the very first record of the species at this location and also the
first record not along the immediate coastline within Virginia Beach (at
least as far as eBird records go)! Amusingly, the scoter was likely
observed as a result of the Common Mergansers being present on the lake,
but is actually a much rarer find at this site. Another interesting
White-winged Scoter record occurred during the Williamsburg Bird Club boat
trip when an adult male was photographed (ph. Andrew Rapp; observed by
many). Adult males are quite rare in the city so this is an exciting one,
and the only photographed so far this winter season in the city.
Early February saw a massive spike in the number of RAZORBILLS whizzing by
along the coast, with a remarkable flight of 1,456 observed on 9 Feb from
the Little Island Park pier (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Rob Bielawski). Groups
and individuals were continuously streaming northbound past the pier for
the first two hours of daylight before the flight died down. If hoping to
see these lovely alcids, now is the time to watch, especially on days with
onshore or northerly winds. The highest tally earlier this year was just
over 300, and this is the first flight that has come close to rivaling what
was observed in Feb 2017 (the historic, record-breaking season). Moving on
to passerines, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER photographed at Stumpy Lake NA on
1 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski) provided only the second record for this species
at the park in eBird (with the last record in mid-March 2012), and was the
first eBird record here with a photograph. Though the species is an
uncommon winter resident elsewhere in the city, the habitat at the park
isn’t really a fit, which makes this quite an out-of-place record during
the winter (it might be more expected here during migration when birds tend
to not be so habitat-picky). On that same outing, a pair of female
COMMON/RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were also observed but frustratingly not
able to be narrowed better to species given the lighting conditions at
sunset hit (ph. Rob Bielawski). Either species would be quite out of place
at this location, with Red-breasted holding only three prior records at the
park in eBird, and Common with only two prior records (the last one was in
1995).
Heading into mid-February, it seems likely that we might pick up our
first-of-season Laughing Gulls given they have a typical arrival of 20 Feb.
Also, the Great Backyard Bird Count takes place from Friday, 15 Feb through
Monday, 18 Feb, which should bolster the number of eBird checklists being
submitted and also has the potential to unveil some exciting birds that
have so far escaped the public’s eye! For more information on that event,
the dedicated GBBC Website has all everything you’d need to get involved.
Typically, February feels like a slower month than January, but a lot of
this is simply the fact that we’re all seeing new ‘year birds’ during
January, and aren’t as excited when we keep seeing the same species into
February. However, February can be peak movement time for alcids and also
is the beginning of spring migration for many waterfowl species
(White-winged Scoter, Snow Goose, etc.) and also for Red-necked Grebes.
Coastal seawatching will continue to be the best means of observing the
best variety & counts of these species, but birding the woodlands of the
city could always produce something interesting. All this said, it will be
interesting to see what folks are able to find next period!
Thanks all,
Rob Bielawski
Virginia Beach, VA
www.beachbirding.com
www.facebook.com/beachbirding
