September 2020
/A long period of northeasterly flow, and strong onshore winds finally gave way to our first major migration movement this season on the night of 22/23 September. After what had been a very quiet first three weeks to the month, reports exploded on the morning of the 23rd, and rarities and first-of-seasons alike abounded. Temperature-wise, we began just as August finished, above normal, though the latter third of the month finally brought us some cooler temperatures. Specifically, September was just about, or slight below average (80°F/69°F for daily highs/lows), when compared to the prior ten-year average temperatures (82°F/68°F). Throughout the month, we ranged from a high of 96°F on 3 Sep (the highest September temperature since we hit 99°F on 2 Sep 2014) to a low of 56°F on 23 Sep following the overnight passage of a critical cold front. Bird-wise, over the course of its thirty days, a total of 201 species produced accepted records in eBird during September. A massive improvement on the 157 species logged here in August, as well as to recent Septembers like the 183 species logged in 2019 and the 177 in 2018, this was clearly our most successful September ever in terms of eBird reporting. Miraculously, from the morning of 23 Sep to the end of the month, we logged a total of 187 species, in just one week of birding! For the calendar year, we now stand at 299 species, which is eight higher than the 291 species logged through the same period last year. Collectively, eBirders have now submitted a total of 7,267 complete checklists for the calendar year which, has us slightly behind the pace required to match the 10,061 checklists submitted in 2019.
Highlights for September included: Ring-necked Duck, Eared Grebe, Black-billed Cuckoo, American Golden-Plover, Hudsonian Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Parasitic Jaeger, Common Loon, Black-capped Petrel, Great Shearwater, Mississippi Kite, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Philadelphia Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Horned Lark, Sedge Wren, American Pipit, Pine Siskin, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Canada Warbler & Dickcissel. Please note that a listing of which species qualify for the highlights section can be found here. Additionally, September provided the city with first-of-season records for expected fall arrivals which, in order of arrival date, included: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Magnolia Warbler, Dunlin, Stilt Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Wilson’s Snipe, Merlin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Ring-necked Duck, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern Harrier, Common Loon, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Palm Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Shoveler, Blue-headed Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Veery, Savannah Sparrow, Wilson’s Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Virginia Rail, American Wigeon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruddy Duck, Sedge Wren & Pine Siskin. A full list of regularly-occurring species and their expected fall arrival dates can be found here.
An incredibly early record for a female RING-NECKED DUCK at Mt. Trashmore Park on the morning of 15 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn & Lisa Rose) proved to be the earliest arrival we’ve ever had in terms of eBird reporting for this species in Virginia Beach! In fact, digging into the dates of eBird records, Virginia Beach has never had a record for Ring-necked Duck between 5 Jun and 17 Oct in any year. This makes this record over a month early of the earliest prior record. Unfortunately, this female was not seen again on the lake, or on any nearby lakes despite some searching, and no other records for Ring-necked Duck occurred this month elsewhere in Virginia Beach, or even anywhere in Virginia overall! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Only the second known occurrence for the species in Virginia Beach, and the first since 1990, an EARED GREBE was found along the coast at Back Bay NWR on 24 Sep (ph. David Clark)! First noted just before 11 AM, this individual was sighted roughly 150 yards off the beach in line with the Dune Trail access point. Moving along with the currents slowly to the south, it had managed to drift about a half mile farther south over the next hour before vanishing from view. With records of this species in other coastal (and coastal plain) counties over the past few years, this was a highly sought-after find for Virginia Beach, and makes for our first photographic record in eBird. Though it was not observed in the following days, like Western Grebes that have shown up along our coastline in winters past it is quite likely to still be present. We simply have a long coastline, and being in the right place at the right time to pick out a small grebe always requires some good luck. In a few weeks, Horned Grebes will be returning, and will make finding this bird even tougher since at a distance the two species can blend in quite well together. So hopefully, if it still around, someone will track it down in early or mid-October, but regardless, it was an excellent fine, and has excellent documentation. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Originally mis-identified as a juvenile Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the field, further examination of a plethora of photographs showed that we had our first eBird record for BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO of the year behind the visitor center at Back Bay NWR in the late evening hours of 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski, vis. Tommy Maloney). Though, it needs to be noted that an adult Black-billed Cuckoo was photographed at the refuge (near this same spot actually) and posted to Facebook (ph. Steve Coari) back in May, but that record never made it into eBird unfortunately. Fall records are very difficult to come by on the coast, with the only recent records within Virginia Beach (all individuals) having occurred in Oct 2019, Aug 2017 and Sep 2016, two of which were at Back Bay NWR as well, and two of which are noted as adults showcasing the red orbital ring around the eye. Juveniles are often mis-identified (as in this case!) since both species show a yellow orbital ring and black bill, but Black-billed juveniles show a buffy throat, and lack the bright rufous tones of the primary flight feathers. Additionally, the undertail pattern is very different, though this is not always visible (as in the case of the 23 Sep bird). (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
A rare fall transient along in coastal Virginia, we were fortunate this month to see a record for a single AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER present on Back Bay NWR’s C Storage Pool from 23-26 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Kyle Bixler; later ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith). Shorebirds season this fall had been a difficult one with the lack of habitat in fields throughout southern Virginia Beach, lack of habitat at Princess Anne WMA, and with the impoundments of Back Bay off limits except for views from the East Dike, which requires a scope. So September was an exciting month, as we had not just this species, but also several others that are rare here anytime of year, though most expected in Sep/Oct. In years past, American Golden-Plover has been tough to pin down, and even tougher to document well. Last fall, Back Bay did produce a record on its beach, and the year prior, one was in a field off Shipps Cabin Road. But, with all the Black-bellied Plovers we see here in fall, this is one of the tougher species to look for since their appearance can be quite similar, and we likely miss a few at a distance each fall due to that. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Also on the C Storage Pool of Back Bay NWR, Virginia saw its first (and so far only) HUDSONIAN GODWIT record for 2020, with an individual present 24-26 Sep (ph. Kieran Zwirner fide Lauren Mowbray). Only the second eBird record for Virginia Beach, with an individual present for a single day last October at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract being the only other record thus far input, though other, older records likely exist. A rarer species than the American Golden-Plover mentioned above, Hudsonian Godwit is one that typically produces somewhere between 1-5 records in the state each fall, and is even rarer statewide during the spring season. With October coming up, it’s possible for another to show up, though most of our habitat for them here is obscured. Scoping from the East Dike at Back Bay NWR is about our best option, unless one happens to land in the fields along Muddy Creek Road, or if habitat management is undertaken at Princess Anne WMA which seems unlikely at this point in the season with waterfowl showing up now. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
A third rare fall transient shorebird species, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER also produced a single record in Virginia Beach this month, with an individual present on a private property field off Firefall Drive on 10 Sep (ph. Andrew Baldelli). Accessed with permission, which unfortunately hasn’t been able to extend to the greater Virginia Beach birding community, this property held a wide variety of shorebirds on that date, including tough to find species like Western Sandpipers as well. This is the same field that often holds a wintering goose flock, but which are fortunately much larger and can be scoped from public sidewalks that abut the property, sometimes giving up viewing of Greater White-fronted, Cackling & Ross’s Geese, and even Brant a couple of winters back. Hopefully at some point in time, better access can be negotiated here, but it was great to get the Buff-breasted record here, the only one for 2020 in Virginia Beach, and one of just a few locations scattered across the state overall this fall season with records. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Rare as both a spring & fall transient, we also had our first LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER record for the latter season, with anywhere from 2-6 reportedly visible on the C Storage Pool at Back Bay NWR from 25-26 Sep (vis. & aud. Kathy Louthan & Wes Teets). Back in the spring, we were quite fortunate to have a few present at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract that were extensively viewed & photographed during the month of April. Unfortunately since then, habitat at the WMA has gone sour for shorebirds, and so it is fortunate that C Storage Pool at Back Bay NWR has risen as the prime location for shorebirds to gather this fall in Virginia Beach. At a certain point in the fall, Short-billed Dowitchers become the less expected of the pair of species, so there’s a good change that we can track down some more Long-billed Dowitchers in October or even into November. Though, beyond that, wintering records are few and far between in Virginia Beach, though Chincoteague NWR sees them annually. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Only the second record for Virginia Beach this year overall, and the first for the fall season, a single, light morph PARASITIC JAEGER viewed out in the Chesapeake Bay from First Landing SP’s beachfront on 20 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for an excellent addition to our September list! Most reliable during the fall, and especially in November if the past few years of eBird reports are to be trusted, Parasitic Jaeger is an overland migrating species that starts to show up in coastal areas about this time each year. Most pass by unnoticed, but with strong northeastly winds the for several days before and after this sighting associated with the backside flow off Hurricane Teddy, birders were situated along the coastline looking for anything that might have been brought inshore. With passerine migration stalled due to these winds, it gave an extra sense of purpose to scouring the beaches for wayward shorebirds, gulls, terns, and in this case, a jaeger. Hopefully October brings us a few more records, as waterfowl start to flow south and birders spend more time on the coast. Plus, the southbound migrations of masses of Laughing Gulls in Oct/Nov tend to provide plenty of harassment opportunities for jaegers, and even Pomarine & Long-tailed become possible in the right weather setup. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
The first report in the coastal plain of Virginia for COMMON LOON came early this year, with an individual flying south along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel span on 19 Sep (vis. Andrew Rapp), just a day ahead of the next report, from the Kiptopeke Hawkatch in Northampton County on 20 Sep. Early of the 30 Sep average arrival date for Virginia Beach, this turned out to be the only report here for the month of September, though it shouldn’t be long before we start seeing them along our coastline once again. Last year, we only had one September report as well, with that one occurring right at the beginning of the month at First Landing SP on 1 Sep. In 2018, we had two reports, at Little Island Park on 16 Sep, and at Church Point on 20 Sep. Thus far, no one has managed to photograph a September Common Loon in Virginia Beach for eBird, but that’ll have to be something to attempt in 2021 at this point! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
The first record since the spring of 2018 within the state of Virginia, a BLACK-CAPPED PETREL was reported in pelagic waters offshore of Virginia Beach on 7 Sep (vis. Jeffrey McCrary)! Highly tied to the warm water currents of the Gulf Stream, this species is rarely observed within Virginia’s pelagic waters by eBird’s Closest Point of Land standards. In the case of this individual, perhaps there was a warm water eddy that broke off from the main stream and drifted northward, bringing the petrel along for the ride? While the 2018 individual was observed at Norfolk Canyon, some 75 miles offshore, this individual was much closer, at least according to the plotted position in eBird. Rare inshore, mostly following tropical cyclones, the last photographic record for this species in the state also occurred in Virginia Beach, with up to four observed during Tropical Storm Hermine from South Thimble Island on 10 Sep 2016. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Also found offshore by the same observer, a GREAT SHEARWATER was observed in Virginia Beach waters on 1 Sep (vis. Jeffrey McCrary)! Much more regularly-occurring in pelagic waters of Virginia than the previously mentioned Black-capped Petrel, Great Shearwater can be found from fall through spring at our latitude. It is also one of the few tubenoses that is somewhat reliably found inshore, mostly during May & June along our coastline and at Chincoteague NWR. Though not as frequently reported inshore as its cousin, the Sooty Shearwater, it is certainly a species to be looked for on strong easterly winds. But, far more often it gets found when in the ideal habitat, many miles offshore aboard fishing charters or tour boats. With a pair of Rudee Tours boat trips coming up in October, it’s possible we will see some further reports of this species next month! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
In what proved to be a remarkable summer and fall season for MISSISSIPPI KITE, we had one final noteworthy/out-of-place record for the species early this month on 3 Sep (vis. Steve Myers). With the final report in prior breeding areas (Lake Smith Terrace) having also occurred early this month on 6 Sep (vis. Tracy Tate), it seems the species has departed the region and is tracking back towards its wintering grounds. Up until this year, records south of Interstate 264 was quite rare, and very few were documented with photographs. But this breeding season, individuals and flocks (up to 14!) have been observed in numerous locations where they were previously not known to breed. Before 2020, Thoroughgood and Lake Smith Terrace were the only reliable areas, though Kings Grant has also turned itself into a solid spot to find the species. This year, they likely nested in Hunt Club Forest, in Larkspur, and perhaps around NAS Oceana as well. Next year it’ll be interesting to see what their distribution looks like, though one would expect it would continue the explosive trend that has occurred the past couple of years. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Very rare as a transient in Virginia Beach, and with only a couple of prior reports accepted in eBird here, a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER that showed nicely for many observers at Back Bay NWR on 23 Sep (ph. Steve Myers) was a truly welcomed surprise! Though the lower portion of Northampton County sees a quite a few each fall season, and they’re a regular migrant along the Blue Ridge, we seem to be in a bit of a shadow location for their migration movements. Back in the spring, we also had a single record at False Cape SP, but up until then, we hadn’t ever gotten a photographic record input to eBird for Virginia Beach. This fall individual however, provided for some excellent photographs, all of which can be viewed here over at eBird. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
For a species that has produced as few records over the past few years in Virginia Beach as PHILADELPHIA VIREO has, we had a surprisingly strong showing for the species in September! At least three, and perhaps four, were recorded this month, with the first near the East Dike entry gate at Back Bay NWR on 13 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski & Steve Myers). Ten days later, likely a different individual was found near the visitor center at the refuge during the massive passerine fallout of 23 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli; later ph. Rob Bielawski). Another individual was present along the tree line on the south side of Mt. Trashmore Park from 26-28 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and yet another was viewed along Munden Road at Princess Anne WMA on 27 Sep (vis. Chris Farabaugh). With records in prior fall seasons extending into October, it’s quite likely that we haven’t seen the last of this species just yet! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Rarer along the coast of Virginia than its close relative that was just discussed, WARBLING VIREO provided a surprise record this month, with one present at Mt. Trashmore Park from 27-29 Sep (ph. Matt Anthony, Rob Bielawski, David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Still rare, but more regular here during the springtime, this species is often tracked down by its very distinct song. However, in fall, these individuals are silent, and can look extremely similar to Philadelphia Vireos which can be in a drab plumage. With a single record this spring at Back Bay NWR, and for the third year in a row, at least one individual on breeding territory at Ashville Park during June, it’s nice to see a third season get in on the Warbling Vireo action in 2020. Given the wide array of birders that have frequented Mt. Trashmore Park over the final few days of the month, it seems possible that if this individual lingers into October, it’ll get observed by someone. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Very local as a summer resident & breeder in Virginia Beach, September proved to be another good month for finding HORNED LARK here with a total of thirteen different individuals observed at two locations. First, a group of five was found foraging among the private field of Firefall Drive (mentioned in the Buff-breasted Sandpiper section above) on 10 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and then eight others were found at NAS Oceana (restricted) on 11 & 15 Sep (ph. Karl Suttmann). This summer was a good one for the species in Virginia Beach, where in summers past we’ve struggled to pin down any Horned Larks, except for a breeding pair at Asheville Park in any area that is unfortunately no longer publicly accessible. Depending on habitat, this species could be present in good numbers some years and almost absent in others, but it can also be secretive species when not singing, and accessibility to property also limits us somewhat in Virginia Beach. Transient individuals should start arriving here in October though, and so we should have a better shot at seeing flocks in more easy to access locations soon. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
A surprise for both the early date, and the unusual location, a SEDGE WREN was photographed near the pedestrian bridge at the southeast corner of Mt. Trashmore Park on 28 Sep (ph. Steve Myers). With a typical arrival date around 10 Oct, this individual was about two weeks early, and made for the first ever record at this hotspot in eBird. Usually, Sedge Wrens are detected in fall at Back Bay NWR, where they have large expanses of appropriate habitat, or sometimes at Princess Anne WMA for the same reasons. But, finding one at a city park, along a freshwater ditch with just a few feet buffer of dense vegetation is quite exciting. At the time of the find, this was the only record in the state overall for Sedge Wren, and one wonders how long it may have been at this location before being discovered. Even with widespread coverage of this park in the days preceding this report, Sedge Wren is such a sneaky, cryptic species, they can often go unnoticed even when they’re present somewhere in good numbers. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Another extremely early, and often difficult to detect species here in Virginia Beach, an AMERICAN PIPIT made for a huge surprise on the beach at Back Bay NWR on 24 Sep (ph. Andrew Baldelli, Rob Bielawski & Mike Collins). While watching the Eared Grebe (mentioned above) slowly drifting southward, a passerine flew in off the ocean and landed up near the wrack line left by the swells we experienced from Hurricane Teddy a week or so prior. A few frenzied moments trying to relocate the bird in the vegetation finally revealed it to be an American Pipit. As with the Sedge Wren above, the average coastal plain arrival date for this species is mentioned in The Gold Book as being 10 Oct, and an extreme early date of 28 Sep is also listed, meaning at the time of its publication in 2007, there had never been a record this early! This represents the earliest photographic record this far south along the east coast at this date, across all years of eBird data. American Pipit is quite scarce in general within Virginia Beach, or it at least difficult to find. Most often observed during extreme winters where snowfall can push them to roadsides, or small areas of cleared ground in fields, this was actually our first record for 2020 as a whole. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Early by about two weeks, even during irruption years for their kind, a PINE SISKIN made for an excellent last second addition to the month list when one showed up in a residential backyard in Kings Grant on 30 Sep (vis. Marie & Ron Furnish)! Last winter, this species was extremely scarce in the coastal plain of Virginia, and only two locations within Virginia Beach produced records, one residence in Cypress Point held 1-2 individuals throughout the season, and another in Hunt Club Forest had a single sighting in mid-March. Given the widespread reports of Red-breasted Nuthatch this season already, and this single report, we may be in for a good winter for all three of the irruptives (Purple Finch being the other), so for anyone who keeps active with feeders at their property, keep your eyes peeled for any streaky individuals mixing in with American Goldfinches, and for any strong marked finches among the typical House Finches that frequent these setups. Hopefully this record marks the start of a good season! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
At least two different CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were found during September in Virginia Beach, both at Back Bay NWR, and both on the morning of 23 Sep. The first was found perched atop the dense thicket south of the visitor center at 9:16 AM (ph. Rob Bielawski, Kay & Tim Fearington), and persisted there through 9:26 AM before vanishing near the kiosk at the southern edge of the parking lot. Only five minutes later, another individual was reported near the C Storage Pool along the East Dike (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Kyle Bixler), meaning this had to be a different individual. Clay-colored Sparrow has been a fairly reliable species in September & October at the refuge, but it is still quite a rarity when looking at Virginia Beach and Virginia records as a whole. The coast tends to produce a few records each fall, and occasionally there is a record or two of over-wintering individuals, as in the case of one that was at the Virginia Beach National Golf Club’s maintenance area this past winter. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
As in August, Back Bay NWR produced a single record this month for LARK SPARROW. A bit of a miraculous find this time around though, given this individual was in flight near the visitor center at Back Bay NWR, and was somehow captured by a photograph (ph. Steve Myers) to properly document the rarity! It’s difficult to say if this could be the same individual that was observed near the base of the Dune Trail back on 26 Aug (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Cindy Hamilton), though given the lack of reports for almost a month, and the obvious arrival of many other species on 23 Sep, it seems like this is likely to be a freshly arrived individual. As with Clay-colored Sparrow above, Lark Sparrow is another of our fairly reliable rarities during fall at the refuge, and its distribution roughly mirror that of Clay-colored elsewhere in the state. Occasionally, we’ll have an individual overstay the winter here as well, and usually it makes for a lot of reports as it is highly sought after by Virginia birders working on personal year lists. It’s likely that we may see a few more reports as October comes into view. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Similar in distribution throughout Virginia Beach to the other pair of sparrows just mentioned, an immature WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW found at False Cape SP on 26 Sep (vis. Adam D’Onofrio & Tina Trice) gave us another first-of-fall occurrence for a rare sparrow species. Though we do tend to see two or three of these each fall, and occasionally some individuals or small groups do winter in dense vegetation adjacent to fields in the city, this is still a species that is rare overall given the vast landscape of Virginia Beach. Back Bay NWR has always been the most reliable location to bump into this species during fall migration, so it makes sense that False Cape would come through with a record as well, being just south and of very similar habitat. Typically the first good cold front in October is the one that brings this species down among groups of Swamp, White-throated, Song & Savannah Sparrow (sometimes Lincoln’s as well), so this September record is an especially notable one for being on the early side of when we usually find them. Given the distance to False Cape SP, roughly an 8 or 9 mile round-trip walk from the Back Bay NWR visitor center parking area, it is unsurprising that no other follow-up reports occurred, but nonetheless, White-crowned Sparrow is a species that garners a lot of interest for Virginia Beach birders, and every now and then we can luck into a rarer, western, “Gambel’s” race individual instead of the more expected, “Dark-lored” individuals that frequent the rest of the state from fall to spring. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Our first fall record in three years for BLUE-WINGED WARBLER occurred this month, with a single individual present at the Tidewater Arboretum on the morning of 24 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli)! A low density, but annual spring and fall transient through Virginia Beach, this is one of a suite of warblers that we tend to get anywhere from zero to two records for in a given spring or fall season. However, in 2018, this species was missed completely in Virginia Beach, and as mentioned, our last fall season record occurred in 2017, so being not annually reported to eBird in either spring or fall, it is always a highlight when one does pop up. Unfortunately, there was only one report of this individual and it wasn’t seen again at the arboretum. But, we did have two records (one photographed) in the springtime, so even with few observers getting a shot at one, at least we did have three records overall during 2020. The latest record we have for the species is 15 Oct 2017 (one at Back Bay NWR), so it’s still possible that another could be found in the first couple of weeks of October. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Very late for the species, a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER made for quite a surprise at Mt. Trashmore Park on the morning of 27 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn). In fact, this is the latest record for the species currently input to eBird for Virginia Beach across all years of data. A common breeding warbler of our freshwater marsh / bottomland forest habitats at places like Stumpy Lake NA, First Landing SP, West Neck Creek NA, Red Wing Park, Back Bay NWR, and along the North Landing River, typically these species has departed completely prior to 15 Sep. The only prior records that exceed that average departure date are singles at Stumpy Lake NA on 18 Sep 2002 (obs. Karen & Tom Beatty) and at Stuart Road on 22 Sep 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Tracy Tate). Though, this is the latest photographic record by a full 22 days, with one at Back Bay NWR on 5 Sep 2017 (ph. Mary Catherine Miguez). Unfortunately, this individual was not re-found, even with a massive field of birders present at the park over this particular weekend, but on the plus side, it was properly documented by the lone observer! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Yet another product of the overnight migration of 22/23 Sep, a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was photographed in the late morning hours at Back Bay NWR southwest of the visitor center near the small, freshwater pond with wooden pier (ph. Mike Collins, ph. Andrew Baldelli & Kyle Bixby). Shockingly, another was photographed the same day at nearby False Cape SP (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and a third individual was observed briefly at Mt. Trashmore Park on 27 Sep (vis. David Clark). These made for the second, third, and fourth records in Virginia Beach for 2020, with one also having been photographed during the last major migration push we saw, 4 months to the day, back on 23 May at the Tidewater Arboretum. Typically, a very low density migrant along the coast south of the Chesapeake Bay, this species tends to produce about one record per year in Virginia Beach, so the 2020 fall season has been a stunner for sure. Last fall, one was present 22 Oct on the fringes of Lake Windsor’s outlet, though in other recent seasons, Back Bay NWR has been the most reliable location of finding one. Fall identification is a bit tougher than in spring, with most individuals resembling Blackpoll and Pine Warblers so some observations may simply go unidentified, whereas in springtime, the plumage is much crisper and distinct. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
A good month for BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER in Virginia Beach, we boasted records for at least two different individuals in the last week of the month, tieing or slightly besting our average of roughly 0-2 in each transitional season. One individual was found in the campground area of First Landing SP on 25 Sep (ph. June McDaniels), while another drab-plumaged individual was found at Mt. Trashmore Park on 26 Sep (vis. Matt Anthony). Coming off a spring season with only a single record at Back Bay NWR on 24 May (ph. Elena Bersani), it’s nice to see the fall season pulling some weight. Typically fall migration produces more individuals here than spring, simply because there’s more birds after the breeding season has occurred, and hatch year individuals tend to wind up on the coast more than adults do, as is evidenced by the makeup of American Redstarts where about 1 in 50 is an adult male. It’s possible for another to show up in October, but typically if we’re to see Blackburnians, it happens in September in Virginia Beach, and 2014 was the last year with an eBird record in October. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
As in the case of the Ring-necked Duck above, we also had an incredibly early record for YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER this month when an individual was photographed along the causeway at Stumpy Lake NA on 6 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith). Also following suit with the Ring-necked Duck, this record made for the earliest Yellow-rumped Warbler we’ve had input to eBird in Virginia Beach, dethroning the prior early date of 8 Sep 2017 when one was reported at Back Bay NWR. In terms of photographic records, this severely bested the prior early date for an individual at Back Bay NWR on 23 Sep 2017 (ph. Cindy Hamilton & June McDaniels). In fact, at the time of the observation, this was the most southerly Yellow-rumped Warbler report on the East Coast, and to find the next closest report, one would have had to go all the way north to Cape May, New Jersey! Another individual that fell more than ten days prior to the typical 30 Sep arrival date for the species occurred at Taste on Shore Drive on 15 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli), but as of the close of the month, the typical horde of Yellow-rumped Warblers had not yet descended on Virginia Beach. Certainly in October, we’ll see them by the thousands though! (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Always surprising to folks who don’t live in Virginia Beach, is the scarcity of records for YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER outside of spring migration. While it is a locally common transient from late Mar through May, mostly at Stumpy Lake NA, we see very, very few records during the summer and fall seasons. In fact, we’ve somehow had better luck finding this species as an over-winterer at feeders over the last few years than we have in terms of finding breeders & fall transients. However, at least two were observed this month, with an individual at Stumpy Lake NA on 2 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn), which is likely to be the same individual observed back on 19 Aug by the same observer. Additionally, right at the close of the month, another was spotted at Mt. Trashmore Park on 30 Sep (vis. Tommy Maloney). It’s possible we see a late individual in early October, given one was present right at the end of September, but more likely we’ll probably have to wait until one shows up at a feeder this winter, if the species’ distribution in past winters is any indicator. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
While September boasted a wide array of highlight species, none was as sought after as the miraculous TOWNSEND’S WARBLER found at Mt. Trashmore Park on 26 Sep (vis. Matt Anthony). Only the sixth known record for the state of Virginia, and a first occurrence in Virginia Beach, this western vagrant made Mt. Trashmore Park the center of Virginia birding for several days. Though it was not observed again the same day as the initial find, and not for lack of effort, it was finally relocated again the following morning (ph. Reuben Rohn) and then extensively observed and photographed throughout the late morning and afternoon hours by a wide audience. Foraging among a mixed flock of many other warbler species, all sightings have occurred from the forested island northwest of the Virginia Natural Gas building and the southeast corner of the bike path where a dirt path leaves the park en route to an apartment complex. As of now, the last sighting occurred in the evening of 27 Sep, but it is possible the bird is still present somewhere in the dense vegetation along this south/southeast portion of the park. A truly gorgeous individual, a full album of photographs that have been taken can be found here at eBird. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Due in large part to the Townsend’s Warbler mentioned above, Virginia Beach also recorded its first CANADA WARBLER for the fall season at Mt. Trashmore Park early in the morning of 27 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski) in a cedar tree at the southeast corner of the park, where a dirt path heads from the asphalt walking path to Shoreline Apartments. In most years, we average somewhere between zero and one of these low density coastal migrants each spring & fall season. During the massive fallout event on 23 May, two were observed at the Tidewater Arboretum, but in 2019, only one record occurred for the year, at a private residence on 24 Sep. The last photographic record we have for this species in Virginia Beach occurred at Back Bay NWR on 30 Sep 2016 (ph. Una Davenhill), almost 4 years ago! An immature male by plumage, this individual continued being observed periodically throughout the morning, and was found again the next day, 28 Sep, a bit farther to the west along the tree line in a willow tree, south of the asphalt walking path. After a day of misses, the bird was once again relocated in the same area on the afternoon of 30 Sep, so it’s possible this might produce a record for October if folks are out looking on the first! Already on the late side of their typical migration through Virginia’s coastal plain, it’s likely that this will be the only individual we see here until at least May though. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Though we were fortunate this summer, and several DICKCISSELS were found to be breeding in appropriate habitat on NAS Ocean property visible from the adjacent Flame of Hope Memorial, our first record of a fall migrant occurred this month. Like most Dickcissels in fall migration, this was a flyover record, with the individual giving its very distinct flight calls above Back Bay NWR on 24 Sep (aud. David Clark). In some years, the coast can see a few of these birds from spring through fall, but more often than not, we get one or two records in the transitional seasons, with most occurring at Back Bay NWR. This individual was likely a remnant of the large passerine movement that occurred the following morning throughout Virginia Beach, and sent birders running in all directions trying to find as many species as possible before the winds could change and send them farther south or inland. Heading into October, this species is still possible, both in the air and in vegetation along our coast, and for those who were unable to see or hear the summer residents, the window for finding a transient is starting to close. (Sep 2020 Map of Records)
Species that had their first-of-season reports in a prior month, but had their first media record during September included:
Black-and-white Warbler – First Observed: 1, Stumpy Lake NA, 17 Aug (obs. Betty Sue Cohen); First Photographed: 2, First Landing SP, 7 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith).
Northern Waterthrush – First Observed: 1, First Landing SP, 17 Aug (obs. Ren Pigott); First Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 14 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith).
Peregrine Falcon – First Observed: 1, Rudee Inlet, 21 Aug (obs. Cathy Williamson); First Photographed: 2, Back Bay NWR, 26 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Bobolink – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 23 Aug (obs. David Clark); First Photographed: 12, Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract, 13 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Blue-winged Teal – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 30 Aug (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Steve Keith); First Photographed: 150, Back Bay NWR, 13 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Green-winged Teal – First Observed: 4, Back Bay NWR, 30 Aug (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Steve Keith); First Photographed: 40, Back Bay NWR, 26 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Baltimore Oriole – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 30 Aug (vis. Andrew Baldelli); First Photographed: 2, First Landing SP, 17 Sep (ph. June McDaniels).
Species that had their first-of-season reports during September included:
Red-breasted Nuthatch – First Observed: 1, First Landing SP, 1 Sep (obs. June McDaniels); First Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 6 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Magnolia Warbler – First Observed: 1, First Landing SP, 1 Sep (obs. Andrew Baldelli); First Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 22 Sep (ph. June McDaniels).
Dunlin – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 1 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton).
Stilt Sandpiper – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 3 Sep (obs. Lauren Mowbray).
White-rumped Sandpiper – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 3 Sep (obs. Lauren Mowbray).
Wilson’s Snipe – First Observed: 5, Back Bay NWR, 5 Sep (obs. Andrew Baldelli, Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith); First Photographed: 4, Back Bay NWR, 24 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn).
Merlin – First Observed: 1, 85th Street Beach, 6 Sep (obs. Andrew Baldelli).
Yellow-rumped Warbler – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Stumpy Lake NA, 6 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith).
Cape May Warbler – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 13 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Black-throated Blue Warbler – First Observed: 1, First Landing SP, 13 Sep (obs. David Clark). First Photographed: 1, Mt. Trashmore Park, 23 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn) & 3, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Ring-necked Duck – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Mt. Trashmore Park, 15 Sep (ph. Reuben Rohn & Lisa Rose).
Sharp-shinned Hawk – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 15 Sep (obs. Lauren Mowbray).
Black-throated Green Warbler – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Marshview Park, 16 Sep (ph. Steve Myers).
Northern Harrier – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 17 Sep (obs. Tommy Maloney); First Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 26 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Common Loon – First Observed: 1, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, 19 Sep (vis. Andrew Rapp).
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Laurel Manor (Private Residence), 19 Sep (ph. Tommy Maloney).
Scarlet Tanager – First Observed: 1, False Cape SP, 19 Sep (obs. Marlee Fuller-Morris); First Photographed: 1 female, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Palm Warbler – First Observed: 1, False Cape SP, 19 Sep (obs. Marlee Fuller-Morris); First Photographed: 1 “Western”, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Blackpoll Warbler – First Observed: 1, Sloop Point, 21 Sep (obs. Loretta Silvia); First Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 24 Sep (ph. Cindy Hamilton).
Northern Shoveler – First Oberved: 2, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Kyle Bixler); First Photographed: 7, Stumpy Lake Pier, 26 Sep (ph. Laura Mae).
Blue-headed Vireo – First Observed: 1-2, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Kyle Bixler).
Nashville Warbler – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Veery – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Steve Myers).
Savannah Sparrow – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (obs. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith).
Wilson’s Warbler – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Swainson’s Thrush – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Tidewater Arboretum, 24 Sep (ph. Andrew Baldelli).
Gadwall – First Observed: 30, Back Bay NWR, 24 Sep (obs. Lauren Mowbray).
Northern Pintail – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 24 Sep (ph. Andrew Baldelli, Rob Bielawski & Mike Collins).
Virginia Rail – First Observed: 2, Back Bay NWR, 26 Sep (aud. Rob Bielawski).
American Wigeon – First Observed & Photographed: 1 female, Back Bay NWR, 26 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 2, Lake Smith Terrace (Private Residence), 26 Sep (vis. Tracy Tate); First Photographed: 1, Eagle’s Nest (Private Residence), 29 Sep (ph. Chris Farabaugh).
Ruddy Duck – First Observed: 2, Mt. Trashmore Park, 27 Sep (vis. David Clark); First Photographed: 1, Mt. Trashmore Park, 27 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Sedge Wren – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Mt. Trashmore Park, 28 Sep (ph. Steve Myers).
Pine Siskin – First Observed: 1, Kings Grant (Private Residence), 30 Sep (vis. Marie & Ron Furnish).
As mentioned in the introduction, we finished off September 2020 with 201 species, a total of eighteen more than we observed in September 2019, and twenty-four more than in 2018. The species differences between these three Septembers are as follows:
As always, a wide array of media (photos/audio/video) were submitted during the month in Virginia Beach, and eBird makes it incredibly easy to organize and browse all of these. For those hoping to view every photo/audio/video submitted for Virginia Beach during this period, please see the complete listing for the month of September located on eBird’s Media explorer by clicking here! Please remember, anyone with an eBird user account has the ability to rate these photographs/audio/video on a scale of 1-5 stars (based on these guidelines). Making use of the average rating for each media item is how eBird populates anything media-driven on the website, particularly the Illustrated Checklists. So, if you're one of the many folks who enjoy looking at photographs or watching/listening to video/audio recordings of birds, please take some time to rate their quality, it helps to make eBird more useful with each passing day!
OCTOBER LOOKAHEAD: While this September featured our best fall passerine movement in many years, it’s likely that more are on their way as we head into October. Though, not known as an explosive month for warbler arrivals, since many have actually hit their average departure dates at this point, October is more known for the arrival of sparrows. Whenever we get our first good cold front of the month, we should see an influx of the regular sparrows (White-throated, Song, Swamp, Savannah), and we could have a chance to see some of the rarer species (White-crowned, Lincoln’s, Lark, Clay-colored, Vesper, and even Grasshopper). As with last month, any short vegetation or thicket adjacent to grass and with freshwater nearby can produce interesting records for these species. Additionally, October tends to kick up our waterfowl migration a bit, and we should see a larger array of duck species this coming month. Coastal seawatching in the early morning will become useful once again at places like Little Island and Rudee Inlet, where the volume of bystanders is now dropping after the end of the resort season for most folks. Shorebirds are still on the move, and though we don’t have much habitat available right now that can be viewed from public lands, the field at Shipps Cabin looks proper, as does the C Storage Pool at Back Bay NWR, though the latter can only be scoped from the East Dike at quite a distance. If we experience drought conditions, the much more easily viewed H Pool will again become proper. Last October we hit 199 species, so hopefully we can continue the successes we all experienced in September, and approach or even exceed that count over the next thirty-one days.
At the close of September, we have not yet logged first arrivals for the following species with expected arrival dates (listed in parentheses after each species name) prior to October:
Worm-eating Warbler (10 Aug; departure date is 25 Sep, but we could still see a late individual) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Sora (20 Aug) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
American Bittern (5 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Gray-cheeked Thrush (15 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (25 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Brown Creeper (25 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Orange-crowned Warbler (25 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Winter Wren (30 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Dark-eyed Junco (30 Sep) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Additionally, the following species all have expected fall arrival dates during the month of October and should be looked for throughout the month:
Brant (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Black Scoter (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
American Coot (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Purple Sandpiper (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Northern Gannet (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Golden-crowned Kinglet (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
White-throated Sparrow (5 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Surf Scoter (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
American Woodcock (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Bonaparte’s Gull (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Hermit Thrush (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Nelson’s Sparrow (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Swamp Sparrow (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Redhead (15 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Greater Scaup (15 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Lesser Scaup (15 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
White-winged Scoter (15 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Tundra Swan (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Hooded Merganser (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Red-breasted Merganser (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Horned Lark (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Fox Sparrow (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Snow Goose (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Common Eider (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Long-tailed Duck (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Bufflehead (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Red-throated Loon (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Hopefully over the course of the next 31 days, each of these species, and perhaps some unexpected species, can be found in the city. For those who wish for their observations to be included in this journal, please submit your records to www.eBird.org, and ensure that the proper documentation (whether written notes that rule out all similar species or photo/audio/video that is conclusive to species) is provided. Thank you to those who have taken the time to enter such documentation into eBird so these records may be publicly known and to those who took the time to read through this Journal entry. Be sure to check back early next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during October! For further information regarding this monthly, online publication, please visit the Journal Overview Page which provides an explanation of the current format, layout and composition of the journal.