October 31, 2021
I spent most of the day at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge today. As always, the area is provided an enjoyable presentation of various species of birds and other wildlife. Most of my visit focused on the causeway, the entry impoundment area and wildlife drive. While nothing very unusual was noted, there were some lingering warblers (and possibly wintering) in the mix of observations. Both Blackpoll Warblers (8), Northern Parula (7) and Orange-crowned Warbler (7) presented themselves in good numbers with singles of Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat and Black-and-White Warbler noted. I stopped counting Common Yellowthroat at 30.
Noted in good numbers throughout the refuge were Tree Swallows with thousands observed during the course of the day. A lone Barn Swallow was noted in one of the foraging groups.
Waterfowl appear to be slowly building in number with the main movement still several weeks away from arrival.
October 27, 2021
I visited the City of Hopewell this morning, followed by a brief visit to Charles City County. The City Point area was very active with Blackpoll Warblers (18++) with a few interspersed Orange-crowned Warbler (2), Common Yellowthroat (1) and Yellow-rumped (10+). Both kinglet species were in good numbers with Golden-crowned (25+) and Ruby-crowned (15+). I then traveled to the Hopewell City Park, where Blackpoll Warblers continued (3) and I observed a Blue-headed Vireo.
On my final stop in Hopewell, I traveled to the Hopewell City Marina where I noted Laughing Gulls (~525) roosting on the top of the western boat house with a few intermingled Ring-billed Gulls. I then traveled to the parking lot immediately west of the marina where I observed a completely dark 1st cycle gull which immediately jumped out at me as a Heermann’s Gull. It was “foraging” in the lot with a few Laughing Gulls. As I was photographing the bird, it was flushed by an unsuspecting fisherman and flew to the adjacent fence line and allowed me further photographs. It again flushed due to the fisherman and more likely a Bald Eagle flying overhead which allowed for a few in flight photographs. I lost the bird within the flushed Laughing Gulls, some of which flew up river (west) and some that settled back down on the boat house. I searched the boat house for another 15 minutes with no success in relocating the bird.
Finally, I traveled over to Charles City County where I encountered a Northern Parula to end the day.
October 17 & 18, 2021
I visited Southampton and Sussex Counties on the 18th with the intent of doing a little photography. I encountered on good multi-species flock in Southampton which had a latish Eastern Wood-Pewee and both Yellow and Western Palm Warblers (10+). I also enjoyed quite a few Blue-faced Meadowhawks in Sussex County along with one Little Blue Dragonlet.
On the 17th, I visited Charles City County and Henrico County. The highlight being a nice 9 Point White-tailed Deer and several species of mushrooms.
Mid October Observations
Over the last several weeks, I have mostly walked and taken some photographs of mushrooms and fungi that I have encountered. I am still working on identification of most of the species and some of the one’s I have associated names to are probably incorrect(?). It has been enjoyable to get out and attempt to broaden my horizons with a new group of fauna.
October 4, 2021
I walked at Powhatan State Park this morning for exercise and a little nature photography. Mushrooms were conspicuous at several locations. I found some Coral Mushrooms, Lion’s Mane and what I think is Viscid Violet Cort(?). The Viscid Violet Cort lives up to it’s name with a beautiful pale purple color. I also wandered upon some Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys).
Also encountered were several amphibians but most escaped without photographing except for an American Toad.
October 3, 2021
I visited Tucker Park in Goochland County this morning for a spot checked on odonates. Russet-tipped Clubtails were conspicuous with three (3) observed. Other species are dwindling in number as the fall progresses.
In the evening, I decided to go road cruising for snakes for a change of pace. My first nice encounter was snake related but was a Rabid Wolf Spider with young. She allowed for some nice photographs. I then proceeded with my road cruising and during the late evening/early night ended up with one DOR (dead on road) Eastern Garter Snake and two (2) Copperheads plus several Leopard Frogs.
October 2, 2021
I went to both West Point and Charles City County this morning. Activity in West Point consisted of Tree Swallows (200+) flying out over the merging rivers at daybreak and a minimal noted movement of warblers. The warbler highlight was two (2) Yellow Warblers feeding closely together.
I then traveled to Charles City County and noted the continuing Tricolored Heron, Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola) and a latish Yellow-throated Vireo.
Powhatan State Park- October 1, 2021
I made it out to Powhatan State Park just before dawn this morning. Thrush appeared quite conspicuous with Veery being noted in good numbers along with Swainson’s. Warbler species totaled thirteen (13) this morning highlighted by a well showing Nashville Warbler. The most common warbler species continues to be Northern Parula followed by Cape May and Blackpoll Warblers. Several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were calling and showing themselves. In the fields the dominate species is Indigo Bunting.
