November 2020
/Another exciting entry to the calendar year, November couldn’t quite match the overall variety of species that October provided, but diversity of rarities & unexpected finds still remained quite high. Beautiful fall foliage set in this month and was especially breathtaking around bodies of freshwater like Stumpy Lake. By month’s end, one could feel a change in the weather though, with the bird species present, the leaves rapidly falling from trees and the temperatures starting to indicate that the winter season was starting to settle in. Weather-wise, November was an exceptionally warm month, with average temperatures (68°F/49°F for daily highs/lows) considerably higher than the prior ten-year average temperatures (61°F/44°F). Of the prior ten years, the 66°F average daily high from 2011 was the closest match. Throughout the month, we ranged from a high of 85°F on 11 Nov (topping the highest temperature of 84°F we saw here in October!) to a low of 33°F on 19 Nov following a very strong cold front’s passage (the cold temperature we’ve felt since 31°F on 8 Mar). Bird-wise, over the course of its thirty days, a total of 172 species produced accepted records in eBird during November. This proved to be an expected decline from the incredible 220 species logged here during October but was surprising also a bit below other recent Novembers, like the 177 species logged in 2019 and the 184 in 2018. Perhaps this was due to so many great rarities being found on the nearby Eastern Shore (first state records for Gray Heron & Couch’s Kingbird as well as other rarities like Rough-legged Hawk, White-winged Crossbill, Evening Grosbeaks, etc.) and many local birders venturing outside our borders to twitch lifers? Alas, whatever the reasons were, for the calendar year we now stand at 306 species, which is four higher than the 302 species logged through the same period last year, and also matches our highest tally in any calendar year with regards to eBird reporting! Incredibly, 295 of those species have photographic records accompanying them in eBird, which continues to raise the high mark for the city after eclipsing the 287 species photographed in 2019 back in October. Collectively, eBirders have now submitted a total of 8,901 complete checklists for the calendar year which has us slightly behind the pace required to match the 10,061 checklists submitted in 2019. Locals have certainly been putting in lots of lists, but we’re likely seeing a drop this year due to less visiting birders in response to COVID-19. But, we need a good effort from the entire eBirding community in December to finish up the calendar year in strong fashion!
Highlights for November included: King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Wild Turkey, Red-necked Grebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Hummingbird sp., Clapper Rail, American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Jaeger sp., Red-throated Loon, American White Pelican, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus sp., Red-eyed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Clay-colored Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Nelson's Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Painted Bunting & Dickcissel. Please note that a listing of which species qualify for the highlights section can be found here. Additionally, November provided the city with first-of-season records for expected fall arrivals which, in order of arrival date, included: Horned Grebe, Purple Sandpiper, Brant & Fox Sparrow. A full list of regularly-occurring species and their expected fall arrival dates can be found here.
Starting things off, a first winter male KING EIDER was found at the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on 20 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) and was seen sporadically at that location and nearby Rudee Inlet through 29 Nov. A second record this season for the state as a whole (a female was found in Hampton by the latter observer above prior to this), this made for the southernmost record for the species along the East Coast during November, the only south of Central New Jersey for that matter, and was the first King Eider reported in Virginia Beach since a flyby at Little Island back on 21 Dec 2019 (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Kathy Louthan). (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Rarely observed from mainland Virginia Beach, a drake HARLEQUIN DUCK was found foraging around a series of wooden pilings on the Chesapeake Bay off Sandalwood Road on 26 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) making for our second record for the season. Aside from a flyby drake at Little Island Park last month (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and a female in Dare County, NC on 10 Nov, this was the most southerly record for Harlequin Duck on the East Coast so far this season. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Not an unusual species for Virginia Beach by any means, but unexpected for the location, at least two WILD TURKEYS now appear to be wandering around First Landing SP, with a photographic record on 28 Nov (ph. June McDaniels). At least one was known to be present at the park (and at nearby Marina Shores) going back to 25 May (vis. Mike Collins), but up until now there had only been sporadic records for what was presumed the same individual. However, it appears at least two are now present, and these were also the only Wild Turkeys logged in Virginia Beach during November. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Potentially a sign for a good season for RED-NECKED GREBE in Virginia, one was observed off the beach at First Landing SP on 8 Nov (vis. Lisa Rose), making for the earliest record the city has seen in terms of eBird reporting. The previous record holder was an inland individual found on freshwater Sherwood Lakes back on 10 Nov 2017 (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty). While Virginia had several other records, and North Carolina boasted two inland reports this month as well, the Virginia Beach individual was the farther south along the East Coast for the season thus far. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Perhaps due to an overall warm, late fall, we saw a total of six records this month for lingering RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, best the four from Nov 2019 and only a single record in Nov 2018. Of the six, only one occurred away from a private residence, with a female photographed at Back Bay NWR on 4 Nov (ph. Amy & Steve Myers), though there was also a hummingbird not identified to species at Little Island Park on 21 Nov (vis. Robert Wood). The other records occurred as follows: A continuing female in Laurel Cove from 23-29 Nov (ph. Loretta Silvia), a continuing male & female pair in Kings Grant on 1 Nov (vis. Cathy Williamson), an immature male in Laurel Manor on 6 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney), a male in Princess Anne on 11 Nov (vis. Ruth Bielawski), and at least one female (perhaps two, with one not identified to species yet) in Hunt Club Forest from 12-30 Nov (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty). With about an equal number of reports scattered around the state, and isolated others as far north as Ontario and Nova Scotia this month, it’s likely we’ll see some attempt to over-winter starting next month. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Similar to the Wild Turkey mentioned above, a CLAPPER RAIL wouldn’t strike many birders as being unusual in brackish marshes of Virginia Beach, but a photographed individual along the freshwater marshes of Back Bay NWR on 11 Nov (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith) made for quite a surprise. Observed again later in the day at the same spot (ph. Mike Collins), one wonders if this could be the same individual observed back on 30 Aug (vis. David Clark), or if it was a fresh migrant that happened to get confused about what its preferred habitat should be. The only other comparable report in the state this month was one that has taken up freshwater residency at Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Extremely scarce away from Craney Island Disposal Area in Portsmouth during most of the year, a flyby (or flyover) AMERICAN AVOCET at Back Bay NWR on 5 Nov (ph. Steve Myers) made for an exceptional record. Aside from the several hundred present at Craney Island on the same date, there was only three other occurrences in the state, with a pair at Northampton County Preserve during the Rarity Roundup on 14 Nov, one at Willis Wharf for most of the month, and a pair up at Chincoteague NWR on 13 Nov. To find another November record for American Avocet in Virginia Beach within eBird, one must go all the way back to 5 Nov 1972 when 17 were present at Back Bay NWR (vis. Robert Ake). (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Very scarce in Virginia Beach due to a general lack of appropriate habitat, a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER in a semi-flood impoundment at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 15 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) made for our only report this season away in a publicly accessible location. With singles this month at Seaview Road in Northampton County and at Craney Island in Portsmouth and a remarkable flock of 30+ at Messick Point in Poquoson, this made for four records in the state in November. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Several POMARINE JAEGERS were observed from shore this month in Virginia Beach with a pair at JEB Fort Story (Restricted) on 9 Nov (ph. Steve Myers), another at Back Bay NWR on 18 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) and a fourth at Fort Story on 22 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). November is the best month to find these birds locally, but this was certainly a standout month for the species. Aside from an individual reported from Chincoteague NWR in Accomack County, these were the only records between Long Island, NY and the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, NC this mont. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
The mid-size, and most expected of the three jaeger species, PARASITIC JAEGER also produced a few records for Virginia Beach this month. Kicking things off, one was observed at Back Bay NWR on 5 Nov (vis. Tracy Tate) and at least two were present here on 18 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) with two additional unidentified jagers that were likely also of this species. Rudee Inlet also produced reports of up to seven from 10 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) through 24 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Adam D’Onofrio). Other records this month included five off 85th Street Beach on 21 Nov (ph. Clay Gibbons, Andrew Rapp & Jacob Warner), a pair at False Cape SP on 22 Nov (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), one at JEB Fort Story (Restricted) also on 22 Nov (ph. Steve Myers) with at least three unidentified jaegers, one off Sandbridge Beach on 25 Nov (vis. Nicholas Liadis) and one viewed from a Rudee Tours boat offshore of the Oceanfront on 28 Nov (ph. Justin Fuller). Prior to this month, Virginia Beach had only logged a single record for this species this cycle. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Though a very common species along our patch of coastline, an inland record for RED-THROATED LOON made for a nice out-of-place record during November. An individual was first reported on the North Pond and Sherwood Lakes back on 30 Oct (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty) and then continued to be seen here through 9 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). This was the only inland, freshwater report for this species in Virginia overall during November and interestingly, there were no records farther inland than Isle of Wight & Gloucester Counties. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Only the second occurrence for the season, a flock of thirteen AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS was observed flying over the Great Neck portion of the city on 14 Nov (vis. Bob Swiader). With only a few records for the species in Virginia this month, this was the largest group noted away from Hog Island WMA in Surry County, which held a flock of over 100 individuals. Northampton, Northumberland, Mathews and Hampton also produced records for this species during November, and the East Coast saw scattered records as far north as Rhode Island. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Scarce after October in Virginia Beach, a TRICOLORED HERON was photographed at Pleasure House Point NA on 16 Nov (ph. June McDaniels), making for the only record of the species away from the Eastern Shore in the state during November. While the species does winter annually at Chincoteague NWR and around Fisherman Island/Eastern Shore of Virginia NWRs, we rarely see records from November through mid-to-late March here in Virginia Beach. For the month, the farthest north records occurred with central, coastal New Jersey, and in December the Chincoteague population may well steal that title. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Equally unusual in Virginia Beach this time of year, an adult YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON managed to linger at Pleasure House Point this month, and was photographed on 10 Nov (ph. Nicholas Collins) and then again on 19 Nov (ph. June McDaniels). Last winter, an immature Yellow-crowned managed to successfully survive the entire season, being logged from October all the way to late March when other members of its kind starting showing back up. With only a few records farther north of here, two in Northampton early in the month, and others up the coast to Connecticut, it’ll be interesting to see if we get any records into December, the first month of ornithologic winter. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
At least one, and possibly two ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS were documented this month in Virginia Beach. One definite record occurred a private residence in Hunt Club Forest 28 Nov (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty), and another currently being evaluated as a potential Brown-cresed Flycatcher candidate, but at the very minimum a certain Myiarchus flycatcher, was found along the causeway at Stumpy Lake NA on 20 Nov (ph. Hope Grasser). With other records occurring in Portsmouth and Chesterfield, Virginia had at least three definitive records, and possibly four this month. A rare, but increasingly regular late fall/early winter vagrant to the East Coast, records extended north for this species all the way to Quebec, Canada this month. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Rare throughout the state after October, a RED-EYED VIREO at Burton Station on 5 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for quite a surprise. With only two other records in Virginia this month, one in Fluvanna and one in Albemarle, one can easily see how unusual this species is in late fall at our latitude. Interestingly, North Carolina didn’t have a single record this month, but man of the East Coast states to our north did produce a few, with one in Newfoundland, Canada taking the title of most northerly individual during November. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Mixed among a large flock of Tree Swallows, we logged our only record this month for BARN SWALLOW at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 1 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski). Typically south of here by the early or middle October, there was only a pair of other reports in the state this month, with one at Chincoteague NWR in Accomack on 4 Nov and another at Fisherman Island NWR in Northampton on 13 Nov. With ten or so records in states to our northeast, the champion lingerer this month occurred in New Brunswick, Canada. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Unexpected at this point in the year, a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER lingering at Stumpy Lake NA on 22 Nov (vis. Lisa Rose) made for another nice surprise. This species boasts a tendency to attempt over-wintering at our latitude, but most records tend to be from inland parts of the state along the upper tidal reaches of the James River (Hopewell, Richmond City). The Stumpy Lake individual was the only record in coastal Virginia during November, and the only coastal record between the Outer Banks of North Carolina and central Delaware. Scatter records continued northward up the East Coast, with Newfoundland hosting a single individual, the most northeasterly for North America this month, though one in Quebec was technically the most northerly. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
One of only two individuals logged this month in the state, a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued at Back Bay NWR after being present from at least 26 Oct (ph. Cindy Hamilton, Steve Keith and Karen & Tom Beatty), though possibly the same individual logged here back on 23 Sep (ph. Rob Bielawski), through the morning of 4 Nov when it was observed by a few folks searching for another rare sparrow. With maybe twenty or so records on the East Coast this month (North Carolina had four, Maryland had one), Newfoundland once again holds the crown for most northeasterly occurrence during November. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
The only record in the state this month, a single LARK SPARROW was recorded from a private residence’s backyard in Hunt Club Forest on 22 Nov (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty). A miraculous yard bird, and incredibly this same location hosted the aforementioned Ash-throated Flycatcher later in the month as well. With only a couple dozen records east of the Mississippi River this month, and South Carolina, North Carolina, and Maryland also hosting only a single individual, its all the more remarkable. As with Clay-colored, Lincoln’s, and the next couple of sparrows to be mentioned, wintering is possible for Lark Sparrows, so hopefully this isn’t the last of our reports this season. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Though a common winter resident throughout interior Virginia, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW is a very scarce species on the coast, which makes it exciting that we hosted several in the city this month. One immature had been reported at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond off Princess Anne Road on 14 Oct (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty), and was then photo-documented this month on 8 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski). This site also held at least one other immature and one adult GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW on 19 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). This subspecies is very rare in the east, and is actually a VARCOM-reviewable find statewide as a result. Interestingly, this location also held a Gambel’s individual last winter, and up to 3 or 4 immatures were also logged here, so it appears this could prove to be a continuing reliable location for birder in Virginia Beach. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
An uncommon transient in spring and fall throughout most of the state, VESPER SPARROW has proven itself a truly rare species in Virginia Beach. For the first time since April 2018, we had an individual documented in the city near the visitors center at Back Bay NWR on 3 Nov (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris). While there were three records in lower Northampton this month, the other closest record in the state occurred up in Charles City, and was the only other coastal plain record away from the Fairfax metro. Nova Scotia, Canada held the most northeasterly report for the month, and one in Quebec proved to be the most northerly during November. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
While common in the saltmarshes of the Lynnhaven River this time of year, especially at Pleasure House Point NA, a pair of NELSON’S SPARROWS at Back Bay NWR made for nice out-of-place records this month. Though one had been present from 8 Oct (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith) through the following day, a pair was present at the refuge on 4 Nov, with one hanging tightly to a small thicket between the visitors center and the south parking lot (ph. Amy & Steve Myers), and another found between the fishing pier and the kayak launch shortly afterwards (ph. Rob Bielawski). An overland migrant, this species can pop up in freshwater marshes when on the move, but these late fall records were a surprise in this particular habitat. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Significantly less expected than its very similar-looking cousin, SALTMARSH SPARROW is tough to pin down even in the sections of proper habitat within Virginia Beach. This month, we saw only a single record, out of Pleasure House Point NA on 10 Nov (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith). With the only other records in the state this month coming in from Hampton, Northampton and Accomack, this tends to be a desirable species for many birders, and Pleasure House Point NA has been our most reliable location for finding it, with most records occurring in Oct/Nov, and fewer lingering through the winter to spring. Along the East Coast this month, records extended northward to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
A rare, but fairly regular late fall and early winter lingerer on the coast, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT produced a single record within Virginia Beach this month with an individual present near the Amphitheatre along Dam Neck Road on 6 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli). A very interesting species in terms of its late season distribution, there were no records in either South or North Carolina this month, yet there was several dozen scattered across states northeast of Virginia (though Virginia only had one other report, in Charles City). Several were even documented in Newfoundland during November, the northeastern most occurrence for the month. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Another rare, but regular late fall lingerer and over-wintering attempter, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was bizarrely reported from quite a few locations this month. Several were observed at locations that also hosted them during the last winter season as well, which could mean returning individuals, or could simply just show that habitat there is proper for the species overall. Records were as follows: One at a private residence in Oak Springs from 13 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) through 30 Nov, one at a private residence in Laurel Cove on 14 Nov (ph. Loretta Silvia), one at Stumpy Lake NA on 22 Nov (ph. Lisa Rose), one at First Landing SP on 24 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer) and lastly, one at West Neck Creek NA on 28 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). As in the case of the Chat mentioned above, there were several dozen records northeast of Virginia, and Newfoundland once again held the northernmost outlier. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
For potentially the fourth winter season in a row if it gets picked up again in December, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER appears to have taken up residency in the Bellamy Manor neighborhood of Virginia Beach. The third season at this particular private residence, after having been recorded nearby during the 2017-18 winter season, this Yellow-throated Warbler was noted most recently on 27 Nov (vis. Una Davenhill). Very scarce as a winterer north of South Carolina, there was only a total of ten records north of Virginia during November, and Virginia itself held only a single other record, at Dyke Marsh in Fairfax. Once again, a single in Newfoundland was the outlier champion, though one in Quebec was the most northerly this month. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
One of only ten records north of North Carolina this month, a single PRAIRIE WARBLER was discovered on the northeaster corner of the north pond at Sherwood Lakes on 9 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). While we missed this species in November 2018, we have been pretty successful finding it in Virginia Beach as a late fall lingerer, with records in Novembers 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Elsewhere in Virginia, one was at Chincoteague NWR in Accomack and one was in Rockingham this month, while elsewhere northeast of here New Jersey had one, Massachusetts had three, New Hampshire had one, Nova Scotia had one (Sable Island) and the farthest north away goes to St. Pierre and Miquelon. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Assuming the Myiarchus flycatcher mentioned earlier is not able to be identified as a Brown-crested Flycatcher, the most notable species we had present in the city this month was a TOWNSEND’S WARBLER discovered while taking a dip in a bird bath at a private residence in Bellamy Manor on 27 Nov (ph. Una Davenhill). Observed again by a few lucky locals the following two mornings, thus far the last report occurred on 29 Nov. Due to access difficulties in the neighborhood, this mega was largely kept quiet, but it was fortunately very well documented and identified on the spot by the finder. Interestingly, this location is exactly two miles away from Mt. Trashmore Park, where a Townsend’s Warbler spent a few days back in late September. Could it be the same individual, or could Virginia Beach have been blessed with two different individuals during the same season? One wonders, but unfortunately there is no way to know. The Mt. Trashmore individual was our first ever record for the species in the city, and aside from several in Newfoundland and one in Florida this month, there were no other records east of the Rocky Mountains. Quite remarkable. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Another western vagrant with a good pattern of popping up in the east this time of year, we logged one record for WESTERN TANAGER with a male visiting another bird bath at a private residence in Chic’s Beach on 22 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer). Only one other Western Tanager was observed this month in the state, out in Prince Edward at another private residence, and there were only eight other records in November east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida. Nova Scotia had the northeastern most record, and Ohio had one for an interesting interior record, with most others being near the coast. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Highly sought after, but likely a regular wintering species in Virginia Beach, we had at least three records for PAINTED BUNTING this month, all of which were of the female/immature plumage type. The first was a continuing individual first found at a private residence in Laurel Manor back on 5 Oct, and then observed again on 6 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney) and 25 Nov. Next up was another in the Burton Station Road area of the city on 5 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli), though that area has apparently now been cut off from birding due to vandalism. A third individual was present at the publicly accessible Harris Teeter Retention Pond near the Elson Green Avenue side on 19 Nov (ph. Steve Myers). With only one other state record this month, in nearby Norfolk, there was only seven records north of our latitude with Quebec boasting the most northerly individual. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
A real oddity, our final bird for the Journal this month was a DICKCISSEL that briefly visited a feeder at a private residence in Laurel Manor on 6 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney), the very same location that has also been hosting one of the Painted Buntings just mentioned. Very rare as a late fall lingerer or over-winterer in Virginia, this one is also exceptional for being quite outside its normal grassland/field habitat. With only a couple of other records in the stat during November, one in Montgomery and one or two flyovers at the Kiptopeke Hawk Watch site in Northampton, this species seems to follow Yellow-breasted Chat a bit when it comes to its distribution this time of year: Sparse reports to our south, but several dozen scattered around the northeast, and, one last time this month, Newfoundland had the most northerly record. (Nov 2020 Map of Records)
Species that had their first-of-season reports in a prior month, but had their first media record during November included:
Bonaparte’s Gull – First Observed: 4, Offshore Waters, 28 Oct (obs. Rudee Tours); First Photographed: 13, JEB Fort Story (Restricted), 3 Nov (ph. Steve Myers).
Snow Goose – First Observed: 1, Sandbridge Road, 30 Oct (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris); First Photographed: 1, Honey Bee Golf Course, 14 Nov (ph. Pamela Monahan).
Bufflehead – First Observed: 2, Little Island Park, 31 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli); First Photographed: 23, Pleasure House Point NA, 6 Nov (ph. Reuben Rohn).
Red-breasted Merganser – First Observed: 12, Rudee Inlet, 31 Oct (vis. Brandon Holland); First Photographed: 4, Back Bay NWR, 15 Nov (ph. Joe Girgente & Hannah Wojo).
Common Eider – First Observed: 1, Little Island Park, 31 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli); First Photographed: 4, JEB Fort Story (Restricted), 3 Nov (ph. Steve Myers).
Species that had their first-of-season reports during November included:
Horned Grebe – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 2 Nov (ph. Christine & Scott Peters).
Purple Sandpiper – First Observed & Photographed: 1, JEB Fort Story (Restricted), 3 Nov (ph. Steve Myers).
Brant – First Observed: 1, Rudee Inlet, 20 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels); First Photographed: 1, Rudee Inlet, 20 Nov (ph. Steve Myers).
Fox Sparrow – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 29 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels).
With the vast majority of regularly-occurring fall arrivals now behind us, as of November’s ending, we have still not logged first arrivals for the following species with expected arrival dates (listed in parentheses after each species name) prior to December:
American Woodcock (10 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Redhead (15 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Horned Lark (25 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Long-tailed Duck (30 Oct) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Canvasback (10 Nov) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Common Goldeneye (10 Nov) – View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
Razorbill (25 Nov) - View Current Fall Migration Records Map.
As mentioned in the introduction, we finished off November 2020 with 172 species, a total of five fewer than the 177 we observed in November 2019, and twelve fewer than the 184 in November 2018. While 145 of these species were observed in all three of these Novembers, we had a total of 70 species that occurred in only one or two out of the three Novembers. Species recorded in at least one, but not in all three of these Novembers were as follows:
Species that were unique to each November were as follows, 2018 (16 species): Canvasback, Chimney Swift, Western Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Red-necked Phalarope, Solitary Sandpiper, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, Iceland Gull, Pacific Loon, Great Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Western Kingbird, Grasshopper Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow & Blackpoll Warbler; 2019 (13 species): Ross’s Goose, Mute Swan, Northern Bobwhite, Western Grebe, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Common Gallinule, Pectoral Sandpiper, Franklin’s Gull, Anhinga, White-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Lincoln’s Sparrow & Orchard Oriole; 2020 (13 species): King Eider, American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pomarine Jaeger, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Lark Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Townsend’s Warbler, Western Tanager & Dickcissel.
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 November 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!
Hopefully over the course of the next thirty-one 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 December! 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.