February 21, 2021

I had an enjoyable morning at Powhatan State Park.  The weather was brisk but the birds were active and presenting themselves for a few photographs.  I had my first of year Turkey with a flock of 22 observed and had a solo Evening Grosbeak all by its lonesome.  I ended the morning with 45 species within the park.  Some photographs can be found below:

February 17, 2021

I went to Powhatan State Park this afternoon to get a little walking in.  The day was cool and overcast but for the location bird activity was enjoyable.  The highlight was a Merlin which presented itself a couple of times perched near the fields on the main road in.

February 14-16, 2021

Over the last several days I have visited some areas of Goochland, Henrico, the City of Hopewell, Prince George and Charles City Counties.  Winter birds continue but waterfowl, as a whole, appear to be lower in number than in previous years.  The snow/ice storm did not promote any birds of interest that crossed my path.  The following are a few of the birds photographed during the period.

February 10, 2021

I went to the Lake Anna area today visiting the High Point Marina area and then a section of developing residential area in Louisa County.  At daybreak there were a lot of gulls at the High Point Marina area.  Most were the expected Ring-billed Gulls, ~3000, but Herring Gulls were in good numbers also with ~250 +/- present.  Also observed from this vantage point were a couple of waterfowl species highlighted by a hen Common Goldeneye.  While there, a Peregrine flew in and lit on a nearby telephone pole.

In the residential areas, the highlights for me were good views of a male Hairy Woodpecker and an adult Cooper’s Hawk.

February 8, 2021

I spent time this morning in Hopewell, Charles City County and eastern Henrico County.  The weather was variable with mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies, temperatures ranging from 32-39 degrees and winds 3-7 mph.

I had an enjoyable walk in Hopewell, the City Point area, and observed four (4) Baltimore Orioles, a Black-and-White Warbler and two (2) Orange-crowned Warblers.  In eastern Henrico County, the highlights included five (5) Cackling Geese and a single Western Palm Warbler along Turkey Island Road.

February 4, 2021

I visited the Brandon area of Prince George County and a couple of sites in both Charles City County and Henrico County this morning.  The temperatures ranged from 20-41 degrees with skies clear and winds calm.  Many birds continue as previously reported but it is nice to see them again before our winter season starts winding down.  Many of you who have not “birded” for many years or are more youthful than I need to fully appreciate the Evening Grosbeaks of this winter as we do not know when and if they will reappear in future years.  This species was an expected winter visitor most years in the 1970’s/1980’s but then for the most part “stayed” north for the next 25 years.