Three members of the Williamsburg Bird Club traveled up to "The Pocket" on
the Pamunkey Indian Reservation and the Pamunkey River in King William
County yesterday (December 6) morning from about 9 - 11 am. This area is
north of West Point, VA.
Observers were Bill Williams, Center for Conservation Biology at W&M, Fred
Blystone, retired/professional volunteer, and me, strap hanger.
We recorded 47 species as we traveled from Route 30 - to the river - back to
Route 30.
The birds for the day were Eurasian Wigeon on the river (year birds for Bill
and Shirley) and a leucocystic Red-tailed Hawk along the roads heading to
the river. The hawk was distinctive and we all got good looks as it perched
in two locations and flew from the trees after being harassed by crows. The
bird had a few cinnamon brown feathers but was almost all white. We saw
several other Red-tailed Hawks along the way that displayed their normal
coloring. This was the first time we had observed this white hawk in the 5-6
trips members of this group have made to the area in the last month. We
would be interested to know if anyone else has observed this bird.
We did not count the birds on the river, but there were less than last week
(per Fred) even though the number of species was about the same. If we had
spent more time there we would have certainly gotten more woodland species.
We scoped the river pretty thoroughly.
NOTE: if you go to this area, please stay on the state road ways and do not
trespass on the Pamunkey Indian Reservation property. A spotting scope is
required to get the full advantage of your trip.
Here is the full list:
PIED-BILLED GREBE
GREAT BLUE HERON
BLACK VULTURE
TURKEY VULTURE
CANADA GOOSE
TUNDRA SWAN
GADWALL
EURASIAN WIGEON
AMERICAN WIGEON
MALLARD
NORTHERN SHOVELER
NORTHERN PINTAIL
GREEN-WINGED TEAL
LESSER SCAUP
BUFFLEHEAD
RUDDY DUCK
BALD EAGLE
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
COOPER'S HAWK
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK
RED-TAILED HAWK
AMERICAN KESTREL
AMERICAN COOT
KILLDEER
GREATER YELLOWLEGS
WILSON'S SNIPE
RING-BILLED GULL
FORSTER'S TERN
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
NORTHERN FLICKER
PILEATED WOODPECKER
EASTERN PHOEBE
BLUE JAY
AMERICAN CROW
CAROLINA CHICKADEE
TUFTED TITMOUSE
WINTER WREN
EASTERN BLUEBIRD
HERMIT THRUSH
AMERICAN ROBIN
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
SONG SPARROW
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
DARK-EYED JUNCO
NORTHERN CARDINAL
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
Shirley Devan
Williamsburg Bird Club
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