February 26, 2019

I visited Charles City County this morning.  It was a pleasant day, sunny with rising temperatures and only minor wind noted.  The highlight of the trip was a Lincoln’s Sparrow at Shirley Plantation.  At this site both Red-tailed Hawks (abieticola) continue to persist.  Canada Goose numbers have drastically dwindled as well as most other waterfowl.  Ring-bill Gulls were abundant in fields.

February 19, 2019

I got out briefly this afternoon and visited the City of Richmond downtown area, specifically Belle Isle and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.  I observed the immature Iceland Gull (kumlieni) resting off of the bridge and at Belle Isle I noted a single Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

 

February 17, 2019

I went out on the Stormy Petrel II with Brian Patteson and team today.  The weather was interesting/challenging in that it was cold close to shore and mild when we got out to “blue water”.  All day long we had a steady flock of gulls following the boat.  Gull activity was highlighted by one immature Iceland (Kumlleni) Gull.  Other highlights included a well seen by all Great Skua early in the morning, a Manx Shearwater which put on a show for the boat and a couple of Black-capped Petrels.

 

February 15, 2019

I awoke early and decided to head to Bodie Island and attempt hearing a Saw-whet Owl.  I arrived about 4:50 a.m. and fortunate for me after imitating a Saw-whet Owl call something flew by head to the area I was occupying making a squeal call.  Shortly thereafter it began to call repeatedly in response to my continued imitation.

On Pea Island, I noted a mink swimming on the sound side near a boat ramp.

Later in the day, on a walk out to Hatteras Point, I encountered a couple of “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrows.

February 14, 2019

I traveled from Richmond early today to North Carolina for a pelagic trip currently scheduled for Saturday this week with Brian Patteson and team.  Between now and then I was going to visit the Outer Banks area which I haven’t had the opportunity too in winter for 6+ years.

I stopped by Harbinger, NC to see if the Golden-crowned Sparrow was still present.  As I arrived, 6:45ish, a sparrow flock was feeding on the service station side of the hedgerow and I noted the bird feeding with them at that time.  After about 2-3 minutes, the sparrow flock moved on and it did so also.  I remained for about another 40 minutes and it/they never returned.

The remainder of the day was mostly spent “birding” between Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head and the Visitor Center at the southern end of the northern impoundment at Pea Island.  Ocean side activity was good all day long with highlights that included a conservative 1800-2000+ Razorbills, 1 Dovekie and 1 Red-necked Grebe.  All three scoter species, Long-tailed Duck, both loons, Horned Grebes and Bonaparte’s Gulls were observed during the day.  At Pea Island, a drift line had set up off shore and one whale and feeding dolphin were noted with the bird activity along this area in the morning.  The morning found the alcid and Red-throated Loon presence moving north, when in flight, and the scoter movement (mostly Black Scoters) moving south.  As the day moved on the Razorbill presence slowly drifted out to sea further from shore but still could be observed with a scope.

 

February 13, 2019

Ross’s Geese (3) and Cackling Goose (1) still are present along Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico County.  Both species are associating with the Snow Goose flock feeding at that location.  A Baltimore Oriole was noted again in Charles City County.

February 11, 2019

I traveled east of Richmond for a short while this morning covering a little of Prince George County, spot checked Charles City County and ventured onto Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico County.  I was hoping that the unsettled weather might contribute to an interesting sighting.  In Prince George County, along the James River near Jordan Point, a 38 count flock of Tundra Swan was noted.  In Charles City County, one of the continuing Red-tailed Hawks (abieticola) was noted, allowing close approach.  Along Turkey Island Road, some of the Snow Goose flock was present and at least four (4) Ross’s Geese continue and in amongst their number was a Cackling Goose today.  I stopped by briefly at Dutch Gap and the number of Wood Duck is truly impressive with at least 325+ being present.  A Peregrine was enjoying the possible meals at this site.

February 9, 2019

This morning I started out at Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico County.  While the geese that usually feed in the fields were not in yet, there were some ducks in the impoundments and ponds along the road.  The highlight was one (1) male Eurasian Widgeon in amongst the American Widgeon, Gadwall and Ring-necked Ducks.  The flock is VERY skittish and only allowed ~30 seconds of observation.

In the afternoon, I went to the Richmond flood wall along the James River encountering and joining up with Arun Bose to look for the Iceland Gull previously discovered by Ellison Orcutt.  Shortly thereafter, Arun spotted the bird in the river “bathing”.  We enjoyed the bird both in flight and several times thereafter perched.

February 7, 2019

I encountered four (4) Ross’s Geese in the Snow Goose flock in eastern Henrico County this morning along Turkey Island Road. Two of the individuals can be found in the photograph below.

February 3, 2019

I went to Charles City County this morning.  Temperatures have been moderating over the last 24 hours and at daybreak it was above freezing (33 degrees) for the first time in 4+ days.   Bird activity was good for a upper coastal plain location in early February, besides the lack of waterfowl at areas covered.  The highlight was two continuing Red-tailed Hawks (abieticola) and a Baltimore Oriole.  I reviewed a large gull concentration but only observed the expected Ring-bill and Herring Gulls.

At Turkey Island Road in Henrico County I observed both Snow and Canada Geese in good numbers but did not note any Ross’ or Cackling Geese.  Only a portion of the Snow Goose flock from Curles Neck was present as I could hear the other birds calling from the adjacent property.

At Ancarrow’s Landing I enjoyed some Cedar Waxwings hawking flying/emerging insects along the river.  I ran into to Paul Bedell and while with him we did not note the previously noted Ash-throated Flycatcher.  (He may have found it later?)

On the way to grocery shop in the afternoon I ran by the West Creek Lakes in Goochland County and noted one Cackling Goose amongst the Canada Geese at this location.

February 2, 2019

I traveled down to the Virginia Beach area to check Rudee Inlet and various areas on the beach front.  While I did not note any interesting gulls, ducks or alcids at the inlet I did encounter six (6) Snow Buntings just south of the 85th Street beach access point.

January 31, 2019

I visited Little Island Park and then Fort Monroe in the Virginia Beach and Hampton this morning.  I was rewarded with five (5) Razorbill at the Little Island Pier, a couple of which swam and fed close to the end of the pier.

At Fort Monroe, I noted three (3) additional Razorbill in the channel feeding and a female Common Eider swimming and feeding at the water’s edge.