While January set the tone for a true-to-form winter season in Virginia Beach, February upped the ante. The pair of snowfall events observed here last month were elevated by a single event this month, which took place from 19-20 Feb, and incurred accumulations of 10-12” across Virginia Beach. This event produced the highest snowfall we have seen here since at least 2018, and maybe even since 2010 depending on where in the city the measurements are being compared. Snow & ice, whether here in Virginia Beach, or in lands to our north and west had a significant impact on the birdlife we observed this month, and the result were quite exciting. By the month’s end, only remnants of the largest piles of snow remained around parking lots, but the memories of the exciting birds uncovered and of the beautiful scenery will persist long past February. All told, there was 32 species meeting the current Notable Observations Criteria observed in Virginia Beach during February, with the occurrence of each of these described in greater detail within this entry: Ross’s Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Cackling Goose, Mute Swan, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Eider, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Clapper Rail (away from brackish marshes & the immediate coast), Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Parasitic Jaeger (those observed from shore), Dovekie (those observed from shore), Thick-billed Murre, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Red-necked Grebe, Least Bittern, Tricolored Heron, American White Pelican, American Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Snow Bunting, White-crowned Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Western Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak & Painted Bunting. Click Here to Continue Reading!