December 29, 2018

I was assigned the Gull Rock/Middletown/White Plains area for the Mattamuskeet NWR Christmas Count.  I had not been in this area for years and it has really changed with the number of impoundments added.  The day was enjoyable, except for the hunting, in White Plains area.

Species highlights included Lark Sparrow (1), Brewer’s Blackbird (5ish) and Glossy Ibis (32+).  The Glossy Ibis were at too great a distance to check for anything possibly rarer(?).

If you want to enjoy multiple Screech Owls call (6 by my count) at one of my stops on the Mattamuskeet NWR, listen at:

 

December 28, 2018

Today, I traveled down to Mattamuskeet NWR for the Christmas Bird Count scheduled for the 29th.  My route to get there took me a little out of the way as my plans were to pursue the Golden-crowned Sparrow near Harbinger, NC, perform a short sea watch at Jennette’s Pier, visit Alligator NWR and if time allowed get to the Mattamuskeet NWR area to check it out since I had not been there in 6 years.  The weather proved to be marginal at best with overcast skies, intermittent showers and later in the day heavy rain.

My first stop placed me at the Golden-crowned Sparrow site at 7:20 a.m. and it had just been observed by David and Susan Disher and another gentleman from Winston-Salem.  Shortly thereafter we got on the bird several times with new observers joining us as time marched along.

The sea watch at Jennette’s Pier was was enjoyable and blustery but did not produce any birds of interest like the Black Guillemot or the Little Gull that had recently been observed.

I then traveled to Alligator River NWR and fought the overcast skies and drizzle.  The refuge has a lot of waterfowl present at this time.  The bird highlight was one Eurasian Widgeon and the mammal highlight was two bears obviously prepared for hibernation or their second life.

My next effort took me to the Mattamuskeet NWR area.  The weather continued to be hit or miss rain and wind.  I quickly circled the perimeter of the lake and stopped at a few locations where wind was not a major hindrance.  The warbler highlight was a Yellow-breasted Chat on the north side of the refuge.  In the southeast quadrant of the count circle (off refuge near Nebraska, NC), I found a flock of 25-35,000 (estimated) Snow Geese.

 

December 25, 2018

Today while I had stepped out, my son’s girlfriend said a large hawk came through the yard and upset all of the squirrels.  She shot a picture of the bird which apparently stopped near the front of the house.  The “bird” is possibly an immature Northern Goshawk transitioning to an adult.  (If anyone has another perspective please share.)

December 23, 2018

Today I did a little birding with Jim Gould currently from North Carolina in the Hopewell  area and then we spot checked areas in Charles City and eastern Henrico Counties.  In the Hopewell area we enjoyed sunny, calm and relatively mild temperatures once the sun rose.  Interesting birds included Black & White Warblers (2), Orange-crowned Warblers (3+), House Wrens (4) and observing the pair of leucistic Canada Geese flying with the flock to places elsewhere.

In Charles City and eastern Henrico we go to see one each of Red-tailed Hawks (abieticola).

 

December 22, 2018

I got out this morning to do a little photography.  I was targeting Baltimore Oriole and Red-tailed Hawks (abieticola) in Charles City County.  I encountered two known abieticola in Charles City County and one in eastern Henrico County.  Out of 7 Red-tailed Hawks observed this morning 3 were of the abieticola race.  Some of the photographs I captured are below.

December 21, 2018

It was challenging to discern this was the official first day of winter with both temperature and humidity being so high.  Because I was uncertain as to the weather I just “checked” a couple of locales out today with Colonial Heights being my first stop followed by a quick visit to City Point in Hopewell and then quickly through a couple of areas in Charles City County.  The highlight of the morning was two (2) male Black Scoters on the pond behind the Red Lobster in Colonial Heights.

In Hopewell, I noted the continuing House Wrens (2) at yet different sites within the City Point area and continuing Orange-crowned Warblers.

In Charles City County, I noted the continuing Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).

December 19, 2018

I traveled to King William County this morning first visiting “The Pocket area” and then traveling over to West Point.  The day was enjoyable, yet day break was cold, 26 degrees, with a heavy frost in “The Pocket”.  At 7:28 a.m. an almost forgotten bird flew overhead and with a lot of phishing, etc. I coaxed it into returning.  It was a lone Evening Grosbeak, the first this year I have had an opportunity to study.  It stayed around for about 3 minutes and then was off again.  Canada Geese are plentiful but distant and only a lone Tundra Swan was noted.  Ducks were not in the numbers I am accustomed to here(?).  Hopefully they will continue to arrive.

In West Point the highlights were 5 House Wren and 2 Common Yellowthroat.  This area has the potential for an interesting species within the town limits.

December 16, 2018

Today was the Hopewell Christmas Bird Count and Chris & Betsy Foster and myself covered the Shirley Plantation Area.  (We had land owner permission to access the property for the day.)  We ended up with 79 species and 1 taxa.  Species highlights included a Clay-colored Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole (2), House Wren (3), Barn Owl (1), Orange-crowned Warbler and Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).

December 13, 2018

I went to Prince George County this morning in hopes of encountering some interesting waterfowl and to see if I could relocate the observed earlier in the month Lapland Longspurs.  Canada Goose numbers were good at a couple of locations in the county but the flocks were so tightly bunched that trying to find a Cackling Goose was challenging.  There were good numbers of Northern Pintail observed with 138 in a nice flock.

Prince George suffered tree damage due to the recent winter weather.  Pine, Cedar and some Magnolia Trees were broken off and/or toppled.

I did get to enjoy some raptors today and I have included a few photographs.

December 12, 2018

I traveled down to the Hampton area this morning with my older son Chris.  We walked the length of Grandview Beach in the a.m.  Bay activity was moderate but waters were calm and the day enjoyable.  On the way in from the “street” noted a continuing Virginia Rail and a Sedge Wren at the pond/marsh on the right as you first enter.  Both expected loons, Surf Scoters, a couple of Long-tailed Ducks and Bufflehead were the most active water birds on the bay.  Numbers of Dunlin and Sanderling had greatly diminished from my last visit about 4 weeks ago.  No Snow Buntings or Longspurs were noted during the walk.

We traveled over to the Fort Monroe area to just “look around”.  As we were departing I noted an immature male Common Eider off of Phoebus Waterfront Park.

December 9, 2018

Well the predicted snow began to fall here at the house, far western Henrico County, about ~8:00  a.m.  Bird activity really picked up about that time with the “normal” species being present but just spending extended periods of time feeding.  All three (3) nuthatch species were active as well as three (3) warbler species, Orange-crowned, Pine and Yellow-rumped.   A Ruby-crowned Kinglet also made a repetitive appearance.  So far a little disappointing that more finches have not shown themselves as House Finches and American Goldfinches are the only representatives.  I have included some very marginal photographs that I shot through the window.

December 8, 2018

The day was overcast and temperatures were seasonal.  I decided to visit Powhatan State Park in the afternoon and walk some of the trail system.  The trails were quiet except for an occasional hiker.  Bird activity proved to be much as expected with a few loose flocks of chickadees, titmouse, kinglets, creepers, wrens and woodpeckers.  Sparrows were hit and miss in various weeded areas.  I encountered what was an apparent immature (1st year bird) Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).

 

December 5, 2018

I traveled to both Hopewell and eastern Henrico County this morning.  The overcast skies held off on delivering snow flurries until later in the morning.   Hopewell continues to host the same Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and multiple House Wrens with two observed today (and I did not visit another couple of sites that have been hosting the species).  Unusual for any winter day in Hopewell I did not have an Orange-crowned Warbler(?).

In eastern Henrico County I encountered a large blackbird flock (Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbirds, Cowbirds, etc.) numbering about 10,000.  I stopped in hopes of an unusual blackbird and while I did not observe the Yellow-headed I was hoping for, I did observe two leucistic Common Grackles.  One bird was mostly tannish white while the other individual had a mostly white tail but dark body.

At home, I observed more warbler species at one location than I did for the day in the field with the continuing Orange-crowned Warbler (first observation in 3 days), Pine Warbler  and Yellow-rumped all coming to my suet feeders.

Lastly, there are so many Red-breasted Nuthatches in the trees this year that today at one location I had one feeding on the ground.    🙂

December 2, 2018

The poor weather conditions, as far as visibility and photography, continued today.  The morning was a dreary, misty and cool so much so that sleeping in should have been the order of the day.  I traveled to Charles City County and eastern Henrico County.  Bird activity was slow  and with the addition of waterfowl hunting, the geese flocks were avoiding some of their preferred areas.

I did encounter three (3) Rough-winged Swallows on Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico County.  Also noted at this location was a Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).  Another Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola) was noted at Herman and New Market Roads. (I have had conversation with Jerry Liguori subsequent to the sightings of the abieticola and he has confirmed the identification.)