November 27, 2021
I traveled to Hopewell this morning and then spot checked a few sites in Charles City County thereafter. The morning was crisp with below freezing temperatures, light winds and clear skies. Hopewell was more active than normal as compared to the last several visits. An early morning flock along the river held two (2) Baltimore Orioles, two (2) Orange-crowned Warblers, one (1) Black-and-White Warbler and a single (1) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Winter Wrens continue numerous with a couple of House Wrens also noted.
In Charles City County the only expected but uncommon species noted were Common Yellowthroat and Baltimore Oriole.
November 21, 2021
I visited both Ancarrow’s Landing and the Great Shiplock Park in Richmond this morning. The morning was cool with temperatures ranging between 36 and 45 when I visited. Skies ranged from partly to mostly high overcast during the period.
Warblers were the highlight this morning with four (4) Orange-crowned Warblers, two (2) Black-and-White Warblers and one (1) continuing Nashville Warbler. Kinglets of both species appears in abundance at both sites.
November 14, 2021
I visited West Point, VA this morning. The day was mostly clear with temperatures hovering around 36 degrees to start and winds being light.
I did not note any obvious migrants but highlights included an Orange-crowned Warbler (probably expected at this site) and Common Yellowthroat (also expected). Clapper Rails were vocal with a minimum of six (6) heard at daybreak. Twenty-three (23) Royal Terns (minimum count) still remain but should be moving along in the next couple of weeks.
November 9 & 10, 2021
I spent a little time in both Charles City, Henrico and Powhatan Counties over the last couple of days. In Charles City County, I enjoyed Sora (3) and Virginia (2) at daybreak on the 9th. A juvenile Northern Harrier provided a good showing while eating what was probably a Cotton Rat early that morning.
On the 10th, I enjoyed a casual walk at Powhatan State Park. Two (2) House Wrens were observed in some of the thickets along the walk. eBird demonstrates these as “unusual” but my experience demonstrates they are expected in dense thicket vegetation potentially through the winter as far west as Goochland County.
The highlight of the last two days however was mammalian. A nice buck White-tailed Deer presented itself early one morning. It is a minimum of 14 points.
November 8, 2021
I touched base in several locales this morning with Hopewell, Charles City County, eastern Henrico County and Richmond making the list. It was pleasantly comfortable with clear skies and mostly light winds.
I ended the day with seven (7) species of warbler highlighted by a Nashville Warbler in Richmond and a Black-and-White Warbler in Hopewell. The immature Heermann’s Gull continues it’s leisurely visit at the marina in Hopewell allowing pedestrian photographic opportunities. Along Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico, there are a minimum of five (5) Cackling Geese in amongst the flocks of Canada’s frequenting the fields.
November 7, 2021
I started the morning in Prince George County. There were a good number of Bald Eagles (18+) and Northern Harriers (6+) to start the morning. Most of the eagles were in large groups feeding on carrion both near and far from the road. Waterfowl numbers are still low with Canada Geese still arriving and impoundments mostly dry.
On Turkey Island Road in eastern Henrico, a single Cackling Goose was present with the limited number of Canada Geese.
November 5, 2021
I visited the City of Hopewell (City Point area) and a couple of locations within Charles City County. The days weather was brisk with some light wind and cooler temperatures than we have experienced to this point in the Fall.
At City Point the most notable observations were the Laughing Gulls on the James River with a minimum of 5,000 plus present. Also noted in the area were single Blackpoll and Orange-crowned Warblers.
In Charles City County, another Blackpoll Warbler was noted and a Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola).
