Fellow Birders,
The fully formatted write-up with photographs and hyperlinks to all the
cited eBird reports is available on the web here:
http://www.beachbirding.com/journal/pe-20190131. Past entries of this
thrice-monthly report are accessible here: http://www.beachbirding.com
/journal-index/. Now also on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/BeachBirding.
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Late January proved itself to be yet another period jam-packed with birding
excitement! Heavily bolstered by the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
department’s Winter Wildlife Festival, hundreds of eBird checklists poured
in over the last eleven days, producing records for 154 species, including
8 new additions to the city’s 2019 list, which now sits at a remarkable 171
species! Among the vast array of species observed, highlights this period
included new rarity records for EURASIAN WIGEON, COMMON MERGANSER, DOVEKIE,
PURPLE FINCH & CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, continuing rarity records for CACKLING
GOOSE, HARLEQUIN DUCK, ICELAND GULL, PARASITIC JAEGER & WESTERN TANAGER,
new unseasonal records for BLUE-WINGED TEAL, continuing unseasonal records
for YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER & BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, late records for
lingering BLACK SKIMMERS, first-of-year records for WILSON’S SNIPE, GREAT
CORMORANT, RUDDY TURNSTONE, TREE SWALLOW & NORTHERN BOBWHITE and
out-of-place records for BRANT & LONG-TAILED DUCK!
Starting off with the newly found rarities, a drake EURASIAN WIGEON was
observed along Long Creek near the Great Neck Road bridge on 27 Jan (ph.
Michelle Payne), marking a first record for this species in Virginia Beach
this year! Thus far, it has not been re-located, but there are a plethora
of locations along the waterway where it could be hiding out, and not as
many public places for birders to view from unfortunately. This section of
Long Creek has held some great birds this winter, with an adult female
Common Eider near here on the Little Creek CBC at the end of December, and
an immature male Harlequin Duck not too far way to the west towards
Lynnhaven Inlet. Last winter, Common Goldeneye were also seen on this
creek, which is fast flowing and therefore makes sense that divers and sea
ducks would enjoy the habitat. A dabbling duck species like Eurasian Wigeon
seems out of place here though! It seems each winter season we have at
least one Eurasian Wigeon known in the city, and it’d be deeply intriguing
if we could ever fully know how many are around.
With no records through the first 21 days of the year, a female COMMON
MERGANSER flying southbound past the Little Island Park pier on 22 Jan
(vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for another 2019 first in the city. At least
two females had been present on the large pond off North Witchduck Road
back in early-to-mid December, but that was the only other record this
winter up until now. Ironically, it wasn’t long before another record
occurred, with another female being found on the North Landing River on 26
Jan during a Winter Wildlife Festival boating trip (ph. Stephen Coari &
Laura Mae). The very next day, 27 Jan, Sherwood Lakes saw its first report
for the winter (and the calendar year) when a group of 7 females was
discovered (ph. Prashant A). A peak count of 13 females was tallied on 28
Jan (ph. Steve Myers), and numbers ranged widely over the next several days
up until the end of the period. In past winters, Sherwood has been the only
reliable place to find Common Mergansers in the city though sporadic
reports occur elsewhere (most aren’t well documented). Males of this
species seem to be quite difficult to come by in the city, which is truly
unfortunate given how striking they are. If you do make an effort to see
these birds, please remember to be respectful of the neighborhood
residents, many of whom are interested in what we’re finding on the ponds.
Along with loads of Razorbill reports this period, we also acquired our
second land-based DOVEKIE report for the year when one flew past the Little
Island Park pier on 25 Jan (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). This winter is
shaping up to be quite stellar for alcids, and perhaps as we head into
February we’ll start to see more Dovekies mixed in with the larger flocks
of Razorbills. Two years ago, in February 2017, we had our largest alcid
movement on record, and with that movement we also had record for Ancient
Murrelet, Manx Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Little Gull and even a
Magnificent Frigatebird. Time will tell if we’re in for similar treats this
year.
In what has continued to be one of the best winters for PURPLE FINCH in
recent memory, individuals were logged at three separate locations in the
city and reported to eBird (who knows how many backyard feeders are
actually seeing them visiting). The first record for the period was of a
single female, which occurred in Thoroughgood on 21 Jan (vis. Tracy Tate).
The second record was of a male & female pair observed in Bay Colony on 23
Jan (vis. Tommy Maloney), and the final record was that of a photographed
male in Laurel Cove on 27 Jan (ph. Loretta Silvia). Thus far, there doesn’t
seem to be anywhere on public property where this species is being
observed, so seeing one is truly a matter of keeping your feeders filled
and hoping for the best!
Last of the newfound rarities this period, a remarkable record for
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW occurred in the Indian River section of Virginia
Beach’s western fringe on 31 Jan (vis. George Harris). That marks the first
known occurrence for the species in 2019 in the city and only the second
individual documented in the state thus far (the other being at Laurel Hill
Equestrian Center in Fairfax County). Typically observed during the fall
season, winterers are tough to come by even here in the southeastern part
of the state. Last winter, we had just a single record as well, also in
January, so it is certainly one of the rare sparrows to be on the lookout
for along with Lark, Lincoln’s & White-crowned.
In terms of rarities continuing from prior periods, the single CACKLING
GOOSE that has been mixed in with the Canada Goose flock north of Pungo was
again observed on 22 Jan, this time on (and later over) the north pond of
Sherwood Lakes (vis. Andrew Baldelli, later vis. Tom Beatty). The goose
flock tends to move around between the ponds here, the fields to the east
and along Princess Anne Road to the south, as well as the large fields east
of Ocean Lakes High School and the pond surrounded by Haviland Drive.
Careful study of this flock has not yet produced any other rare geese this
winter, but with frigid winter weather impacting the Midwest and the
Northeast this week, perhaps we will get a shot at a Greater White-fronted
or Ross’s Goose in February.
The immature male HARLEQUIN DUCK first detected on the Little Creek CBC on
31 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli, Linda Chittum & Lisa Rose) continues to be
observed around Lynnhaven Inlet with the most recent record occurring on 26
Jan (ph. Guy Babineau) in conjunction with the Winter Wildlife Festival
boat trip to the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. “Chaseable”
Harlequin Ducks are difficult to come by in Virginia Beach, even moreso now
that South Thimble Island is no longer accessible to public while
construction of a new tunnel is performed over the next few years. So, the
fact that this one appears to be lingering around the inlet should be
exciting for all birders in the city. Harlequins love fast moving water
surrounded by hardened shorelines and the areas east of the inlet where
Long Creek runs into the Lynnhaven is ideal habitat for this bird. Viewing
from the restaurants along the north side of the channel is probably the
best position to search from, though it has been scoped from as far away as
Pleasure House Point NA to the west as well.
The adult KUMLIEN’S ICELAND GULL first found on the 39th Street Beach of
the Oceanfront Resort Area back on 27 Dec (ph. Linda Chittum & Ada Jones)
continues to linger along the coastal beaches. Most recently, it was
photographed a little further to the north at 85th Street Beach on 26 Jan
(ph. Kathy Richardson). This represents the farthest north that the
individual has been observed, and reports have ranged as far south as Rudee
Inlet, though most records have been at the source, 39th Street. The dredge
spoils pipe at 6th Street Beach is also a good spot to look for this and
other gulls when the dredge is operating and spewing sediment and water
onto the beach.
Another PARASITIC JAEGER was observed this period offshore of the
oceanfront from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s Whales &
Wildlife boat trip on 22 Jan. These excursions have picked up a number of
great birds so far this winter, this being the second jaeger after one was
photographed last period (ph. Jason Sosebee), and of course the incredible
inshore Common Murre early in the month (ph. Alexis Rabon). Loads of
Razorbills and sea ducks have also been viewed from the boat, and the harsh
winter weather north and west of us this week should only increase the
wintering populations of these species along our coastline. For more
information regarding these boat trips, be sure to consult the Aquarium’s
official website!
Our final continuing rarity record for late January goes to the WESTERN
TANAGER that has persisted at the backyard feeders of a private residence
in the Windsor Woods neighborhood, last recorded on 22 Jan (ph. Lisa Rose).
This eBird checklist offers a remarkable comparison of this species with a
superficially similar female Baltimore Oriole, highlighting both the color
and bill differences extremely well. If more people view these photographs
and study them, my bet is we’ll find out there are more Western Tanagers
than we think in the city during winter; it’d be easy to catch a glance of
one and think it was an oriole. This particular tanager has been present
since at least 13 Dec, and it seems likely that it’ll continue until
springtime, hopefully.
We had our second record of the year for BLUE-WINGED TEAL when a female was
detected at Back Bay NWR during the park’s thrice-monthly impoundment
survey on 29 Jan (vis. Robert Ake). Unfortunately, the impoundments at the
refuge are off limits to the public but it is good to see another winter
record for this species in the city regardless. Since mid-November, only
one other record for this species has occurred away from the refuge, with
three (two males & a female) photographed at Princess Anne WMA’s Beasley
Tract on 6 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski). Return visits to that site on Sundays
when it is open have not yielded additional sightings, but it is certainly
a species to keep looking for as we head into February.
In terms of continuing, unseasonal, species, the YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
that has been frequenting at least a pair of residential feeder setups in
Bellamy Manor was most recently observed 22 Jan (ph. Reuben Rohn). At this
point, we have far more winter records for this species than we do summer
records, and that should shock anyone reading this. A common breeder in
counties west of Virginia Beach, this has been a shockingly difficult
species to find here during Jun/Jul, though nestbuilding activities at
Stumpy Lake NA last spring helped confirm this species as a breeder, none
were observed at that location into the summer months. Perhaps it will take
some avid kayakers traveling along the shorelines of the lake hoping to
hear one singing. Until then, we can enjoy our winter reports though, and
this is typically the earliest arriving warbler, in late March, along with
another warbler about to receive mention next.
Unseasonal records continued also this period for BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER,
with a single record at Stumpy Lake NA on 26 Jan (ph. Alexandra Munters &
Tim van der Meer) in the same general vicinity of where one has been
observed going back to 15 Jan (ph. Steve Myers). Though this species isn’t
reported here every January, it is quite possible there are one or more
present each winter that manage to go undetected. Along with
Yellow-throated, Prairie and perhaps Nashville, these are the most
‘expected’ warbler species to winter here in addition to the dedicated
winterers (Yellow-rumped, Pine, Orange-crowned, Palm & Common
Yellowthroat). Hopefully this individual continues to be picked up along
the first trail loop from the parking area as we head into February.
With an expected departure date of 20 Jan in an average year, lingering
BLACK SKIMMERS managed 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. Three individuals were observed there
on 30 Jan (vis. William Parkin), resting on the low tide mudflats.
Additionally, another record of two skimmers occurred at Little Island
Park’s pier on 26 Jan (vis. Nancy Barnhart, Jan Lockwood & Joyce Lowry),
making for an exciting report both in terms of the late date and the
unexpected location for lingerers to be found! This has been a strong
winter for this species in Virginia Beach, and is in stark contrast to the
winter of 2017-18 where we didn’t have a single record for the species in
the city between 27 Dec and 6 Apr! In fact, the 6 Apr record was the very
first for the calendar year in the entire state. This just goes to show how
much the weather plays a role in which species we’re seeing. During the
frigid January last year, all the Skimmers seemed to have departed a few
days ahead of our first snow event. So, when we stop seeing them this year,
we know we’re in for some rough weather ahead.
In addition to the Eurasian Wigeon, Common Mergansers & Clay-colored
Sparrow discussed above, we also had five other species which were new
additions to the city’s 2019 calendar year list in eBird! Miraculously,
WILSON’S SNIPE managed to evade birders for the first twenty days of the
year, but patience paid off when a group of nine snipe were found along
Drum Point Rd. on 21 Jan (ph. Eric Alton & Tamara Conklin). Next up, GREAT
CORMORANT and RUDDY TURNSTONE were added on 26 Jan by loads of birders,
courtesy of the Winter Wildlife Festival boat trip to the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge-Tunnel islands. The CBBT is truly the only reliable location in the
state to find Great Cormorants, so it is unsurprising that this was a new
addition to the list with no other means of access to the islands and no
other boat trips reaching them earlier this month. However, it is truly
shocking how our loss of access to the first island has limited our ability
to find Ruddy Turnstones in winter! For a species that used to be one of
our most commonly reported species in winter, it’s just incredible that we
can’t seem to find them elsewhere in the city (Rudee Inlet, Ft. Story,
Little Creek Inlet all seem likely spots but just don’t seem to produce
them). Additionally, our very first TREE SWALLOWS for the year were
reported at Pleasure House Point NA on 26 Jan (vis. Tracy Tate), and
lastly, the first NORTHERN BOBWHITE of the year was reported at Back Bay
NWR (or possibly False Cape SP given the checklist distance) on 27 Jan
(obs. Scott Hartley).
Out-of-place records for BRANT continued to come in this period, with the
flock along Ocean Boulevard originally reported back on 11 Jan (ph. Stephen
Keith) ballooning into a larger grouping of 72 on 29 Jan (ph. Karl
Suttmann). It really is bizarre to be seeing these numbers on inland
agricultural fields, and while it isn’t unheard of in Virginia Beach, it
has not been known to occur the past few winter seasons. Another bizarrely
out-of-place record came in this period, also of the waterfowl variety. A
single adult male LONG-TAILED DUCK was photographed in a Wawa parking lot
at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Oceana Boulevard on 26 Jan
(ph. Lisa Kirkman). This is actually the only eBird record for a grounded
individual in Virginia Beach, with every other record occurring along the
immediate coastline. Bizarre indeed.
As we head into February, also known as ‘late winter’ in the birding
community, we should continue to see rises in the waterfowl numbers along
the coast, as well as with alcids. Laughing Gull and Black Skimmer are the
only species to expectedly depart the city during the month of January, and
either species would be exciting to see in the new couple of periods
(though Laughing Gulls will start returning typically in late February).
Snowy Egrets & Ospreys should continue to hang around Lynnhaven Inlet and
Pleasure House Point NA is the most reliable place in the state to observe
both during this time of year. As this report is being typed up, a major
freeze event is occurring across the Midwest and Northeast portions of the
country, which could force wintering water birds to head towards the coast
and south in search of open water. Loons, grebes, cormorants, waders and
waterfowl could all potentially be affected by this and it will be
interesting to see what shows up in early February. Also, the Williamsburg
Bird Club has a boat trip to the CBBT scheduled for Sunday, 3 Feb, so we
could see some interesting species getting report, perhaps even a
Thick-billed or Common Murre, but at the very least, loads of ducks and
Razorbills!
Thanks all,
Rob Bielawski
Virginia Beach, VA
www.beachbirding.com
