City Point at Hopewell and Charles City County, VA- September 30, 2021
I visited City Point in Hopewell and some areas in Charles City County this morning. It was a little slow but at City Point at good showing of Northern Parula, Blackpoll Warbler and Cape May Warblers persist. In amongst the three (3) prominent species I did note a single Yellow Warbler.
I then traveled to Charles City County and noted the continuing Tricolored Heron and the first of the returning Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola). The hawk unfortunately has a blind left eye.
Powhatan State Park and Goochland County Birding- September 28, 2021
What an enjoyable morning at Powhatan State Park! I had a total of 59 species without hitting any fields and getting any diurnal raptors. Warblers made a solid showing with seventeen (17) species observed. Three (3) thrush species made for a good morning with Swainson’s Thrush seen and heard in good numbers. The warbler species of the day, in pure numbers, was again Northern Parula, which again was observed at multiple sites with multiple individuals. The two most enjoyable birds, were Philadelphia Vireo and Nashville Warbler, which presented themselves conspicuously for some casual photography.
Hopewell, City Point Area- September 27, 2021
What an interesting morning at City Point. Major movement of Northern Parula (80+), Cape May (20+) and Magnolia Warblers (15+); all conservative numbers! eBird list Yellow and Canada Warbler as unusual and one (1) each of those species was observed. My concern is what got overlooked? Trying to weed through the 1st three warbler species mentioned, especially Northern Parula, posed a challenge to finding other species. Only ten (10) warbler species were noted.
Powhatan State Park and Goochland County Birding- September 26, 2021
I spent the early morning at Powhatan State Park and then transitioned to a couple of areas in Goochland County. The weather was great with temperatures in the low 50’s to start and only in the lower 60’s when I ended my effort. Migration appeared solid for thrushes overnight with four (4) species being observed and Swainson’s in particular being in good numbers. I had fourteen (14) warbler species with the personal highlight being a Nashville at Powhatan State Park. The overall highlight of the morning was two (2) Philadelphia Vireos in Goochland County.
Birds East of Richmond- September 25, 2021
I visited West Point at daybreak. Migration overnight was slow at this location with only singles noted of several warbler species. The highlight was a lingering Eastern Kingbird.
I then traveled to Charles City County to check a few spots. Herons and egrets continue even though the number observed since my last visit had diminished. Six (6) Little Blue Herons and one (1) Snowy Egret continue. Also noted in Charles City County were two (2) Dickcissels.
Powhatan State Park Visit (9-20 & 9-24)
I visited Powhatan State Park twice this week (9/20 & 9/24). Each visit presented a variety of warblers, vireos and thrushes with mimics (Catbirds and Brown Thrashers) noted as picking up in their presence. A total of 18 warbler species were observed and 4 thrush species were noted. I continue to “miss” Philadelphia Vireo despite some intense scrutiny of the various flocks.
September 22, 2021
I got out briefly this morning to Charles City County. The skies were overcast and temperatures were in the mid-70’s with light winds and intermittent sprinkles. The highlights were three (3) Tricolored Herons, one (1) Plegadis species (probable Glossy), seven (7) Little Blue Herons and three (3) Snowy Egrets.
Powhatan State Park- September 19, 2021
I visited Powhatan State Park this morning for a couple of hours covering mostly forested areas near the river. A total of 56 species were observed with 13 warbler species, 4 vireo species and an assortment of flycatchers and tanagers being observed. The most common migrant warblers appeared to be Black-and-White, Northern Parula, American Redstart and Magnolia Warbler. The highlight warbler was a female Connecticut Warbler. The Warbling Vireo continues singing, on territory, as it has over the last 4 or so visits.
Powhatan State Park- Mid September Visits
Migration has been sluggish but consistent in Powhatan County over the last week. I have spot checked Powhatan State Park on 3 different mornings. A total of seventeen (17) warbler species, four (4) vireo species, three (3) thrush species and five (5) flycatcher species have been observed. Good numbers of Scarlet Tanagers, Eastern Wood-Pewee and Red-eyed Vireo continue to persist each day with American Redstart, Northern Parula and Black-and-White Warbler slightly trailing behind. The personal highlights, during this period, were hearing a Warbling Vireo still in song on two of those days (same bird), observing two different Nashville Warblers on one day and seeing a personal favorite Bay-breasted Warbler.
September 9-11, 2021
I visited various areas within Hyde County including Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge during the period of September 9-11. The weather was mild with temperatures comfortable and humidity low after the first half September 9th. My effort was focused on nature photography with a goal to see and photograph a Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake.
A total of 90 bird species were observed during the 2.25 days, I was present. The bird highlight of the trip was Black-bellied Whistling-Duck of which a conservative number of 12 were observed. The other birding highlight of the trip was observing a Heron roost with Kelly Davis. Collectively, we observed the following species and their conservative numbers:
| White Ibis | 850 |
| Glossy Ibis | 2 |
| Great Egret | 23 |
| Cattle Egret | 125 |
| Green Heron | 2 |
| Little Blue Heron | 60 |
| Snowy Egret | 1 |
| Great Blue Heron | 3 |
| Tricolored Heron | 3 |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | 2 |
Several other species were noted while we attended the roost and they included Pied-billed Grebe (2), Anhinga (6), Common Gallinule (16) and Virginia Rail (1).
Getting back to the principal focus of the trip, Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake. I was most fortunate to encounter three (3) during the trip of which two were adults and one was unfortunately a dead juvenile apparently killed by a vehicle. As described in the literature and can be seen in published photographs, they are vividly colored, attractive snake in a relatively fragile (deceptively) looking small package.
Lastly, some of my time was also spent doing a little “odeing”, which I had not actively done in the county before. The best dragons observed were Fine-lined Emeralds and Atlantic Bluets from my perspective. Unfortunately for me, a different smaller emerald species eluded my net.
First Week of September in Review
I ventured out to Charles City County, Goochland County, Highland County and Powhatan County during the week. Bird migration was good with expected early migrants well represented. Prime movers early in the week appeared to be Red-eyed Vireos, Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers and American Redstarts with later week movers being highlighted by Scarlet and Summer Tanagers and both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. The most uncommon species noted was a single Blue-winged Warbler.
In Goochland County’s Tucker Park, I noted both male Royal and Swift River Cruisers (illinoiensis) working the river edge and out in sunny areas noted continuing Russet-tipped Clubtails (male & female).
