January 2021
/Hit with several snowfall events in the second half of the month, January turned out to be a good reminder to those of us in Virginia Beach as to what winter can actually feel like, especially after coming off the extremely temperate 2019-20 winter season. Bird-wise, over the course of its thirty-one days, a total of 185 species produced accepted records in eBird during January. This proved to be a surprise increase from the 182 species logged here during December, probably thanks to everyone visiting the coast to kick off their year-listing efforts, and to the weather for driving some species farther south than is typical here in any given January. This mark of 185 species was also considerably higher than our counts in other recent Januarys, like the 176 species logged in each 2020, or the 170, 167, 178 & 165 species logged in 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016, respectively. Being the first month of the new year, our monthly species total matches our yearly total, and we have a long road ahead to raise the bar beyond the incredible 312 species observed here in 2020, which was our highest total in any year ever submitted to eBird. Remarkably, 303 of the 312 species were photo-documented in eBird, and one additional species had a voice recording, so we finished the year up with 304 species being media-documented! Last year, we were unable to top the high mark of 10,061 complete checklists submitted in 2019, but we are certainly on pace to do so after a remarkable January effort by the community!
Highlights for January included: Ross's Goose, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Surf Scoter, Common Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, Western Grebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Gallinule, Red Knot, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowlegs, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Dovekie, Common Murre, Little Gull, Laughing Gull, Glaucous Gull, Royal Tern, Pacific Loon, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Great Cormorant, American White Pelican, Brown Pelican, Cattle Egret, American Pipit, Snow Bunting, Clay-colored Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Saltmarsh Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock's Oriole, Brewer's Blackbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Western Tanager & Painted Bunting. Please note that a listing of which species qualify for the highlights section can be found here. By December’s end, we had actually logged records for all the species that have expected fall arrival dates, so in January we didn’t have any new arrivals (save for the rarities listed above). Next month, “spring” arrivals will begin again though, and a full list of regularly-occurring species and their expected spring arrival dates can be found here.
Kicking things off this month, we again were fortunate to see quite a few reports of the continuing ROSS’S GOOSE lingering around the Sherwood Lakes, Haviland Drive, and HRSD fields area in central Virginia Beach through 16 Jan, when it seems to have vanished. This lone Ross’s Goose had been found back on 10 Dec (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty), and was frequently observed last month as it moved around with the large Canada Goose flock throughout this portion of the city. Much easier to pick one out against the Canadas than had it mixed in with Snow Geese, a great many reports were logged for this individual. After it disappeared post-16 Jan, it seemed our Ross’s Goose reports for the month in Virginia Beach may have come to a close. However, it was not long before another Ross’s Goose was reported on Lake Windsor on the morning of 19 Jan (ph. Lisa Rose)! This individual spent the remainder of January dazzling birders with up close views throughout the remainder of the month at this lake & also at nearby Mt. Trashmore Park where it was frequently seen foraging with a small flock of Canada Geese. Of course, one does wonder whether this may have been the same individual observer earlier in the month farther southeast in the city, but since there is no way of confirming that notion, it is presumed here to be a different individual. For a species that has almost exclusively been seen only from extreme range on large, private fields in central & southern Virginia Beach, affording birders the chance at close-up visuals is certainly something that many of us will remember this individual for! For the species overall, records were quite scarce across Virginia, with only Northampton, Henrico & King William hosting other coastal plain records, and Culpeper being the only piedmont record, with Wythe the only mountains & valleys record. Even adjacent states struggled to find this species, with just a few records in North Carolina and only a single location yielding one in Maryland. So, given the overall scarcity, Virginia Beach was quite fortunate to have potentially two different individuals present this month. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
As noted in the December Journal, while they are rarely found in the city after November and before March, we were fortunate to see continuing records for a small flock of BLUE-WINGED TEAL that appear to be over-wintering on the closed-to-the-public impoundments at Back Bay NWR. A flock of 14 were present on the impoundments during the official 15 Dec refuge survey (vis. Robert Ake, Cindy Hamilton & Lauren Mowbray), though as mentioned above, this area is unfortunately closed to the public from 1 Nov through 31 Mar each year. While this flock was not observed during the early or mid-January surveys, they (or at least 13 of them) again popped up on the 25 Jan survey (vis. Robert Ake & Lauren Mowbray), marking our only record for this species during the month. While the only other coastal plain records in Virginia this month included singles at Chincoteague NWR & Occoquan Bay NWR, as well as several at Dutch Gap, there was a surprising number of records in states to our northeast, so this seems to have been a good month for the species in areas where it typically doesn’t stay the entire winter season. A pair reported in Ontario proved to be the most northerly, and most unexpected outlier for eastern North America during January, at least as far as eBird records go. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Our first for the winter season in Virginia Beach, a drake EURASIAN WIGEON was found among a flock of American Wigeons, foraging along the south side of Oliver’s Pond, as viewed from nearby Haygood Point Park on 21 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski). This drake continued to give views from the park, and from roadways that follow the pond’s shoreline, through month’s end, though these views often required a scope given the distance to where it could be on any given day around the pond. A rare winterer in Virginia and rarer in states farther to the south, we tend to see only one or in strong seasons, maybe two records for this species in most winter cycles at this point, while Chincoteague NWR in Accomack County remains the most reliable location in the state to see one. During January, another was present at Dutch Gap in Chesterfield, at least two were present at Hoffler Creek Preserve in Portsmouth, and one was reported sporadically at Chincoteague, giving the state records for at least five different Eurasian Wigeons known this month. As mentioned, northeastern Virginia is really about the southernmost extent of reliability for the species along the East Coast by today’s standards, and during January, North Carolina was the only state south of here along the East Coast to hold records this month, with just one, briefly in the Outer Banks, and another at Lake Mattamuskeet. There is certainly a possibility that others are around, and females likely manage to evade being spotted, due to strong similarities in plumage to female American Wigeons that they are likely to associate with. Further scrutiny of mixed dabbling duck flocks could yield additional reports moving forward, and during harsher winters, sometimes Eurasian Wigeons can even pop up along tidal creeks if freshwater ponds/lakes fully ice over. All things to keep in mind as we head into February, and perhaps we will see more records for the species locally. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
While it is a very common species along our coastline from October through May, a single female SURF SCOTER provided a major surprise to Virginia Beach birders this month when one was found on the north pond of Sherwood Lakes on 3 Jan (ph. Steve Myers & vis. Brandon Holland). While all three scoter species can show up on freshwater bodies even farther inland in Virginia, any record here on freshwater is remarkable, and almost all of our records are along the immediate coastline or barely inside brackish estuaries like the Lynnhaven River or Owl’s Creek. It has actually been several years since we had a Surf Scoter pop up on freshwater here, the last being one at Grand Lake on 11 Dec 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Tracy Tate), and the only other similar record input to eBird for the city was at Sherwood Lakes on 5 Jan 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli). As another comparison, this month, the only other freshwater reports in the state were of singles at Swift Creek Reservoir in Chesterfield, and Thrashers Lake in Amherst. Given this species winters on the Great Lakes, so long as they remain open and free of ice, most inland records are likely to pertain to individuals that have fled those areas once the ice begins to form & pushes them east and south. However, in Virginia Beach, it isn’t certain if that logic holds, or if this individual may have ended up on the lake by some fluke in winds or weather that occurred locally. In any case, it’s exciting to see one found from such an unusual location, and additionally exciting, it is likely this same individual was noted in flight over nearby Harris Teeter Retention Pond, as the timing of its departure from Sherwood lined up, but it wasn’t able to be confirmed there for a hotspot first unfortunately (vis. Rob Bielawski). (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Very scarce this winter in coastal Virginia overall, we had just a single record for COMMON MERGANSER in the city during January, as a group of three females first detected on the during the Little Creek CBC on 31 Dec (vis. Tracy Tate & David Youker) at the namesake, restricted-access base continued through New Year’s Day (ph. Karl Suttmann & Cassidy Titus). In most winters at this point, we end up seeing a flock of Common Mergansers descend on Sherwood Lakes, but so far this season our only other records have been single females there on just one day in December, and potentially the same individual viewed over at the Haviland Drive pond in the few days that followed. However, Virginia Beach is far from alone when it comes to the difficulty in finding this species this winter. The Eastern Shore has no records thus far, and single sites in Williamsburg, Gloucester & Mathews have held the nearest reports, with only scattered others in the coastal plain of Virginia. Only a single report from the Outer Banks and a pair at Pettigrew SP in Washington, North Carolina were farther south along the East Coast this month, which really showcases that this species is not interested in salt or brackish waterways. They greatly prefer clear, deep, freshwater lakes and streams, the latter of which doesn’t exist in Virginia Beach, and the former is only found in a few places (Sherwood Lakes, Witchduck Lake, and other former sand/gravel pit lakes). Depending on how much snow & ice the inland areas of Virginia and states to the north receive moving forward, we will have to see if additional groups make their way into our region. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Never common on the coast, even during large-scale irruption seasons, it was not a shock to locals that only two RED-NECKED GREBES were found during January in the city, and these were the only two documented in the state as a whole this month. Ironically, both were observed on the same day, with a single individual on the southern reach of the Chesapeake Bay, just east of Little Creek Inlet (viewed from the Norfolk side but physically present in Virginia Beach waters) on the morning of 15 Jan (vis. Todd Day & Ian Topolsky), and another individual present off the beach at Back Bay NWR an hour or so later (ph. Steve Myers). While there was extreme outlier in Clay, Florida this month, only singles in Dare & New Hanover, North Carolina were farther south along the East Coast this month. We tend to see the large irruptions of Red-necked Grebes into the state during major freeze events on the Great Lakes, but with no inland records in Virginia this month, clearly there is no such irruption set to occur anytime soon. Of course, not having access to the first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is likely limiting us a bit, as in most winters there tend to be a couple hanging around the complex. Though, even scope views from the beaches near the bridge have not yielded records as they have in past winters (three were there last year for an extended stay). So, like the Common Merganser mentioned above, it seems our fate with this species is really tied to what the weather does inland, and north of here during February. Hopefully, we see additional reports, as this is a beautiful species, and one that we do not get to enjoy in numbers most years. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Continuing into yet another calendar year, the remarkable WESTERN GREBE that appears to be visiting our coastline for fifth winter season in a row, was again sporadically reported this month from both Little Island Park and nearby Back Bay NWR. As mentioned in last month’s Journal, this individual was first detected this season off False Cape SP on 20 Dec (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and there is a strong likelihood that this is the same returning individual that first showed up off Little Island Park during the Back Bay CBC on 29 Dec 2016 (vis. Edward Brinkley & Paul Sykes), and in each of the successive winter season (see the December Journal for more information on those). During January, this individual spent 2 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski, Gary Witmer & Robert Wood) & 16 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski) off of the North Mile of Back Bay NWR, and was visible from the southern reach of Little Island Park. On 17 Jan (ph. Steve Myers) & 18 Jan (ph. Tracy Tate), it was visible from the Back Bay NWR beaches, so it clearly is lingering around our coastline as it did in past winter seasons. Difficult to pin down at any location, it certainly requires some luck to see, and is most often viewed from a distance, though, has surprised some with in-close views along the beaches at times. Interestingly, a Western Grebe was photographed near the Corolla Lighthouse in nearby Currituck, North Carolina on 24 Jan (ph. David Schroder) and one wonders if this is the same individual, given the distance isn’t too great for a bird that, unlike we humans, doesn’t need to drive all the way around the Currituck Sound to reach this location! In fact, the only other East Coast records this month were a continuing individual on a freshwater reservoir in Baltimore, Maryland, and a single individual reported from Grandview NP in Hampton. Aside from those, only two others in Porter, Indiana and Henry, Tennessee were east of the Mississippi River this month! (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Following the trend of December, at least two RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS managed to survive into the new year in Virginia Beach! Since 31 Oct, at least three different Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (2 females & a male) visited a private residence in Laurel Cove, and at least one female (ph. Loretta Silvia) and one male (ph. Loretta Silvia) managed to persist through 28 Jan! Another male that was present sporadically at a Cypress Point feeder from 1-25 Dec (vis. Debbie Schroeder) also continued this month, with a single report occurring on 19 Jan (vis. Debbie Schroeder). What makes these reports so exciting, is that aside from a pair in Norfolk, and a single in Chesapeake, there were no other records for this species during January in the state. Interestingly, only Worcester, Maryland and Cape May, New Jersey had records farther north than here this month, with coastal North Carolina clearly being the limit of where the species will winter in numbers. Of course, there are likely others present in the city right now (and in other nearby areas), but not everyone uses eBird, and confirmation of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in immature or female plumage during the winter season is not always possible, given the potential for Black-chinned Hummingbirds to pop up here with their extremely similar features. High quality photographs tend to be the best way to get confirmations of out of season Hummingbird species, and one should always be aware of other species that might show up here. For instance, a Buff-bellied Hummingbird was present throughout January in nearby Norfolk, marking the first record of this species in the state. Certainly, Virginia Beach is situated at the prime location for lingering and vagrant hummingbirds, with the ocean keeping us a bit warmer than the rest of the state, and also being a barrier that hummingbirds migrate along. Last winter season, there was an immature male Black-chinned Hummingbird at a private residence in Blackwater, so anything is possible. If you have a hummingbird visiting your feeders and aren’t quite certain what it is, make sure to take photographs often, and submit them to eBird where they can be evaluated. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Well known for being very cryptic & secretive during the winter season, we were extremely fortunate to see a single record for COMMON GALLINULE this month, with one present on the freshwater canal adjacent to the closed West Dike entrance gate on 17 Jan (ph. Steve Myers). The first known occurrence in the city since one was detected on the impoundments at the refuge during the official survey in early October, this is a species we simply don’t expect to find during the winter with those impoundments being the prime habitat for over-winterers, but being closed to the public from 1 Nov-31 Mar each season. In a typical winter season, the reliable northern extent of winterers is northeast North Carolina, and the causeway heading to Mackay Island NWR, less than a mile south of Virginia Beach’s southern border, often yields reports of multiple individuals. Usually, we don’t feel much expectation for finding the species until April, when migrants begin moving north, and individuals become more vocal, and more colorful for the breeding season, when they tend to stand out a bit more among the dense vegetation they cling to. Though, January actually proved to be a good month for the species statewide, with singles also reported at Craney Island in Portsmouth, on private property in King and Queen, and with at least two present at Shirley Plantation in Charles City, and Dutch Gap in Chesterfield. North of Virginia, there were additional reports from Delaware (1), New Jersey (3), Pennsylvania (1), New York (1), Massachusetts (2), and one miraculous outlier in Newfoundland. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Quite rare during the winter season this far up the East Coast, a pair of RED KNOTS persisted on the beach near the False Cap SP / Back Bay NWR border through 8 Jan (vis. Robert Ake & Lauren Mowbray), after one was first noted in this same area back on 4 Dec (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and then the second individual was logged on 21 Dec (vis. Wes Teets; later ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris & Robert Wood). In most winters, the only known individuals of this species in Virginia tend to be on the barrier islands off Northampton & Accomack, though occasionally we will see reports on the portion of beach along False Cape SP that does not see much human disturbance. Typically, our reports stop after September and do not pick up again until May, when northbound individuals pass through in good numbers and show off their gorgeous namesake breeding plumage. During January, the only other record for the state was a single individual in a field off Bull’s Drive in Northampton on the first of the year, and only New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland had records farther north along the East Coast. Given the latter two thirds of the month didn’t feature any further records from our patch of coastal beach, it seems likely that these individuals decided to move farther south, so it would be quite a surprise if we did see any new records until the spring migration season gets rolling. But one never truly knows what could happen along these beaches. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Rare during the winter season throughout Virginia, aside from perhaps the Eastern Shore’s lagoon system, a small flock of SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS was a surprise at Back Bay NWR on 5 Jan (vis. Robert Ake, Cindy Hamilton & Lauren Mowbray). Like their longer-billed counterparts, both species of dowitchers are tough to find at our latitude and farther north this late in the season, and these were the first Short-billeds recorded in the city going all the way back to late October. Unfortunately, access at the refuge is limited in winter, so this flock cannot be seen by the general public, but hopefully will continue to pop up on the thrice monthly surveys that cover all the impoundments. Quite a few records occurred this month in Northampton & Accomack, but farther to the north, only Cape May & Atlantic, New Jersey held records in January for the species. Any flocks of this species noted in Virginia should be heavily scrutinized to ensure that Long-billed Dowitcher is properly eliminated, as this species can also extend north into Virginia during the winter season. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
As mentioned in the prior entry, both the dowitchers are quite rare outside their spring and fall migration windows here along our coast, so a group of six LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at Back Bay NWR on 15 Jan (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton) made for a nice surprise and our only record here this month. Additionally, a group of five unidentified dowitchers was present in this group, and could potentially have been the Short-billed Dowitchers mentioned above. Separation of these species outside migration can be challenging and can depend on how distant the birds are in these impoundments during the refuge survey’s allotted time slot. Only a few records occurred north of here this month, with just two locations in each Maryland, Delaware & New Jersey yielding records in eBird. While Long-billed Dowitcher is the rarer of the two dowitchers overall in Virginia Beach, during the winter season it is typically slightly more expected to occur than Short-billed. Most of our records for the species occur during April though, when the species are in their bright breeding plumage and separation is considerably easier and not so much posture & body shape dependent, which can be a bit skewed when viewing from extreme distances. Hopefully like last spring, we’ll see a good movement of these birds again, and with no further reports later in January, it feels a bit unlikely that we’ll see more here before April. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Also found on the same refuge survey at Back Bay NWR on 15 Jan (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton) a single LESSER YELLOWLEGS was an exceptional surprise given we don’t typically see any records at all for the species after November and before late March! Like the dowitchers above, when we see yellowlegs here in winter, there is about a 99% chance it will be a Greater Yellowlegs, though both species are reported from larger refuges to the north like Chincoteague, or Prime Hook & Bombay Hook in Delaware. In fact, prior to this record, the last Lesser Yellowlegs report for Virginia Beach was up at Pleasure House Point NA on 13 Nov, so just over two months prior to this one. Interestingly, the last January record we have in eBird for Virginia Beach was also at Back Bay during an impoundment survey, way back on 25 Jan 2011, when three were observed. Given the decade-long absence of the species during January, it should be pretty clear how exciting a find this 2021 individual is. Outside Virginia Beach, only the Eastern Shore, and a single report in Isle of Wight occurred in the state this month. Looking beyond Virginia’s borders, there was a single record in Richmond, New York this month, with the remainder of January records occurring from southern New Jersey and Delaware southward. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Second rarest of the three jaeger species in Virginia Beach, a single POMARINE JAEGER made for an exceptional report at Little Island Park during the morning hours of 18 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli, Matthew Hosmer, Garland Kitts, Tracy Tate & Wes Teets). With most records of this species either occurring in pelagic waters, or during peak migration along the coastline in November, an inshore, winter record is highly unexpected, but also highly welcomed. It will no doubt be mentioned in a few other species entries in this Journal, but a fleet of fishing trawlers were working very near the Little Island Park pier in mid-January, and that fleet was responsible for attracting a large flock of gulls, which then brought in a variety of other unusual species not typically seen from shore here. During January, this was the only record for the state, and while Dare, North Carolina produced a pair of records (one offshore, one from-shore), one has to reach all the way to New Hampshire, or Florida to see other records in eBird along the East Coast, though Ohio probably wins the outlier award with a single individual on a freshwater reservoir in Allen. With the trawler fleet having finished out its season at month’s end, it feels a bit unlikely that any further from-shore records will occur this season, but, with boats heading out of Rudee (Rudee Tours and various charters) it does seem possible that we could get some other reports. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
While its larger relative produced a single report this month, it was PARASITIC JAEGER that really showed off for birders in Virginia Beach. Typically, like Pomarine Jaeger, most of our records come in November when the species is in peak migration, but we have also seen good movements following the right weather patterns in springtime. Since the species breeds in the very high latitudes, we have no summer records here, but out of the four seasons, winter tends to be next up in terms of when not to expect the species here. Anyway, five different shore-based locations yielded records for this species during January, with counts up to seven different individuals logged (ph. Nick Newberry)! On the first of the year, Little Island Park (ph. Steve Myers, vis. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith) and False Cape SP (vis. Marlee Fuller-Morris) each produced records of individuals, with Rudee Inlet jumping onboard by 3 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli). But it was Little Island Park that shined above the rest, with records extending through 21 Jan, and an extreme movement witnessed on 16 Jan by a large number of birders, thanks to the fishing trawler fleet mentioned above. Additionally, a larger than normal number of Laughing Gulls persisted here in January (more on that later), and this is likely a possible reason why so many jaegers were still around this late into the season. While North Carolina’s coastline produced records as well, mostly of individuals, there were actually no Parasitic Jaegers noted anywhere north of Virginia Beach along the East Coast during January. Clearly, this was the place to be to see the species this month, and it will be remembered as our best January movement of the species in the eBird era. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
A large-scale incursion of DOVEKIES, on a level we have never witnessed from shore here in Virginia Beach, occurred this month and likely was a major highlight to the winter season for a great many birders both local & visiting. Beginning with a single individual noted off 88th Street Beach on 2 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli), the full excitement didn’t start to hit until around mid-month. In the middle of 15 Jan, at least five were observed and photographed from the beach at Back Bay NWR (ph. Steve Myers) in a swarm that also included a pair of Manx Shearwaters feeding in close to shore. An individual later found via photograph was also present to the south at False Cape SP during the morning hours of this date (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris). The following day, an individual was detected very close to the pier at Little Island Park (ph. Rob Bielawski) and in the ensuing scramble of birders venturing here to view the species up close, reports of up to ten individuals would continue at this location through month’s end. Rudee Inlet also yielded reports for the species, beginning with one present outside the jetty on 28 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli). In years past, the species has tended to yield a record of two here each winter, with larger numbers typically picked out from extreme range among larger scale Razorbill movements. However, in the eBirding era, we have not seen such a large presence of this species so close to shore, making this movement one that will be long-remembered. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Even more unexpected than the Dovekies just mentioned, we also had a miraculous record, from shore, of a flyby COMMON MURRE at Fort Story JEB (Restricted) to close out the month on 31 Jan (ph. Steve Keith)! This species is not just exceptional in January in Virginia Beach, as any record for it in the state of Virginia, in any month or season is equally remarkable. A statewide VARCOM-review species, almost all the known state records have occurred in pelagic waters, with the last state record being of two individuals in Northampton waters on 26 Jan 2019 (ph. Andrew Baldelli, Rob Bielawski, Todd Day, James Fox & Ian Topolsky), roughly 44 miles from the closest point of land. Earlier in that season, one was logged a few miles off Cape Henry by spotters (ph. Alexis Rabon, vis. Justin Fuller) on the Virginia Aquarium’s boat, but this new record is one of only a handful to have occurred from the mainland, and as far as the records show in eBird, it is the first time one has ever been photographed from shore in the state! For the current month, this was the southernmost outlier along the East Coast, with a single individual reported from Cape May, New Jersey being the next closest during January. For the winter season overall, only one other was closer, with an individual offshore of Worcester, Maryland on 30 Dec 2020. It is always possible that others are present in our pelagic waters, but the frequency with which boats head offshore looking for pelagic bird species is quite low, and the winter weather often impedes the odds of getting out even on scheduled trips. Hopefully, this record is a sign of others to come, whether they too are seen from shore, or require a boat to get to, it would just be nice to see additional records for such a rarity here! (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Extremely rare along the coast of Virginia, a single LITTLE GULL reported from the Little Island Park pier on 17 Jan (vis. Andrew Rapp) provided the first occurrence for the species in Virginia Beach since 19 Nov 2017 (vis. Andrew Baldelli) when one was viewed at this same location. As with the jaegers mentioned above, this individual occurred among a feeding flock of gulls following the fishing trawler fleet that was very nearshore off the beach over this particular weekend. While this species is likely an annual winter visitor to the waters far offshore of our coastline, inshore records are very rare. In fact, this species is quite rare anywhere in the state, and almost all of our records tend to be from boats in pelagic waters. This report is reminiscent of an indivudal that was photographed from nearby Back Bay NWR on 8 Feb 2017 (ph. Wes Teets & Abby Walter) during a very similar inshore feeding frenzy of alcids, gulls, and shearwaters (also a Magnificent Frigatebird). During January, only two other locations along the East Coast produced records, those being Dare, North Carolina and Cape May, New Jersey, though Nova Scotia also had a record on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Given that the trawler fleet finished its season for harvest at month’s end, the gull flocks seem to have dispersed, which will make finding another from shore quite difficult. Though, the species can show up among flocks of Bonaparte’s Gulls, and places like Rudee Inlet or Fort Story could get us another individual if the weather plays out properly. Occasionally, records show up along the Potomac River, so the species can move inland as well. It just needs to be scoured for among collections of gulls whenever possible. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Highly unusual for the winter season, a large number of LAUGHING GULLS lingered far beyond the typical departure date this month. In most winters, this species tends to vanish from Virginia Beach, and the rest of the state, after the first week of January, and actual overwintering individuals are quite rare here. The species is flagged as ‘rare’ in Virginia Beach between 10 Jan and 20 Feb, a period which may produce one or two records in most years, but produced dozens this time around already. For whatever reason, large flocks of Laughing Gulls were still present late into January, like a group of 73 observed at False Cape SP on 22 Jan (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and far too many other smaller groups and singles than can be mentioned here. The numbering of linger Laughing Gulls appeared to benefit birders locally though, with reports for Parasitic Jaegers spiking as well, potentially because they will often target the Laughing Gulls to kleptoparasitize. It seems to be no coincidence that both species are typically scarce here this time of year, but both were numerous this month. Perhaps it was the activity of the fishing trawlers that kept them in the area? In any case, we enjoyed numbers not seen in any recent winters here this month, and it is likely that some will continue through February, being joined late in the month by others that did winter farther south heading northbound once again. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
During a snowfall event on the morning of 28 Jan, we nabbed our first white-winged gull species for the winter season, when an immature GLAUCOUS GULL sought shelter inside Rudee Inlet (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). Surprisingly, we still have not had a single record for the other, more likely white-winged gull species, that being Iceland Gull. However, with Glaucous Gull being the less reported of the two, this is an exciting record for the month list. Interestingly, our last record in Virginia Beach for this species was an unusual summer visitor, at False Cape SP back on 20 Jun 2020 (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and prior to that, a single individual was repeatedly logged from its perch near South Thimble Island on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel complex from Dec 2019-Feb 2020 (vis. Gabriel Mapel). A couple of years back, similar conditions due to a nor’easter brought another immature Glaucous Gull into Rudee Inlet, on 4-5 Jan 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli), so foul weather seems like a good time to visit the inlet in the hopes of spotting an unusual gull, though there is unfortunately very little protection from the elements at this location which makes birding difficult in high winds, rain, and/or snow. During January, only one Glaucous Gull was recorded farther south along the East Coast, with an immature photographed in Dare, North Carolina on 27 Jan. Texas had several records, and Alabama also had another that were all technically south of Virginia’s latitude, but in terms of coastal records, one had to go up to Delaware for the next closest to Virginia Beach! (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Somewhat similar to Laughing Gull in terms of their seasonal expectance in Virginia Beach, a ROYAL TERN managed to linger at Little Island Park through at least 18 Jan (vis. James Fox & Gabriel Ricketts). Typically absent in the city after December and until northbound migrants start to show up in mid-March, and January/February records at this latitude and farther north are exceptional finds. One individual was also photographed at Rudee Inlet on 5 Jan (ph. Baxter Beamer & Martina Nordstrand), and farther up the resort area beach near 55th Street the following day (ph. June McDaniels). Given the scarcity of this species in January, it seems at least possible that the Little Island individual could have been the same bird, perhaps trying to work its way a bit farther south. With no other records during January north of these along the East Coast, the thought seems to at least possess some potential for correctness. South of here, only a single record occurred in Currituck, North Carolina, while a few were reported from more southerly Dare, North Carolina. Once one gets south of Cape Hatteras though, the reports start to explode, so clearly the species manages to winter in good numbers up to that point. With about six more weeks after month’s end before northbound individuals typically show up in Virginia Beach, it will be interesting to see if any other records occur during the month of February here. Ironically, last January we also had a record for Caspian Tern in the city, so with terns that typically winter not too far south of us, it seems we can manage a lucky record or two here. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Extremely rare in the eastern half of the country, a PACIFIC LOON made for a massive surprise at Little Island Park on 16 Jan (ph. Nick Newberry)! The first record in both the city, and the state overall, since one had been present on freshwater Sherwood Lakes from 30 Oct-28 Nov 2018 (ph. Andrew Baldelli), birders drawn into the area by other rarities found earlier in the day (Dovekies, jaegers, and some others soon to be mentioned) scrambled to return to the pier in search of this mega rarity after fanning out to look for other species amidst the chaos of the day! Reports for this individual continued at the pier through 19 Jan, but unfortunately there were no further observations in the final third of the month, at least in terms of reports submitted to eBird. This made for the second record overall from the Little Island Park pier, with another individual photographed here on 9 Feb 2016 (ph. Andrew Baldelli), so if one is seeking out this species, it seems Jan/Feb is a good time to head to this pier in the hopes of finding one. During January, there was about a dozen other reports in the eastern half of North America, with one report in Poquoson just a few days later making this the first winter season in a number of years where the state saw more than one report. In terms of coastal records, North Carolina had a pair in January, and New Jersey, Massachusetts & New Hampshire had one each. Certainly, any loon along our coastline this time of year should be scrutinized since the species clearly has a pattern of vagrancy to the East Coast in winter, one just has to look through thousands of Common & Red-throated Loons in the process, but seeing a beautiful Pacific Loon is highly worth the effort. Perhaps this individual will be re-found again along our coastline somewhere, as there is certainly a lot of water out there for it to be passed over, and the continuing Western Grebe has taught us that it can be quite easy to hide in plain sight on the ocean. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Nearly unprecedented in the state during the winter season, a SOOTY SHEARWATER made for an extremely welcome surprise at Little Island Park on 16 Jan (vis. Matt Anthony, Rob Bielawski, Chris Farabaugh & James Marcum). Another find that was a result of the fishing trawler near shore on this date, this individual was later photographed farther up the beach in Sandbridge (ph. Rob Bielawski), and then again in the afternoon hours from the Little Island Park pier (ph. Baxter Beamer, Tucker Beamer & Nick Newberry). In terms of other records for this species during the winter season in Virginia, one was reported from Back Bay NWR on 3 Feb 2006, one was seen from a research vessel offshore on 26 Jan 2014 (vis. Glen Davis & Tom Johnson; the only other January occurrence in Virginia’s state waters), and one made a quick flyby of North Chesapeake Island in Northampton County on 26 Dec 2019 (ph. Robert Ake & Edward Brinkley). So, this made for potentially only the third record from shore during the winter season in Virginia. Typically, this species is only viewed from shore during late spring/early summer (May/June) during easterly gales, like we expected from Tropical Storm Arthur last year, which flung many of them inshore during mid-May. At the time of the initial sighting, somewhere around 8:45 AM, this was the only record for the entire North Atlantic Ocean, and it ended up being one of only two for the month of January, with a single Sooty Shearwater photographed from shore off Barnstable, Massachusetts from 16-17 Jan. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
The more expected species of shearwater here during the winter season, we also had quite a few reports for MANX SHEARWATERS from shore this month, causing quite a stir among birders! First noted moving over a shoal of baitfish from Back Bay NWR’s beach on 15 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), at least two Manx Shearwaters were present that day, a Friday, setting the stage for a weekend of excitement. The following morning, at least two were present, following the fishing trawler feed and slicing through the waves & gull flocks with ease, visible from Little Island Park starting at 7:22 AM (vis. Rob Bielawski) and viewed sporadically throughout the day. Both locations yielded records for at least two different individuals through 18 Jan, but then the inshore reports came to a screeching halt, though a Rudee Tours offshore excursion along the coastline yielded quite a few records for this species on 24 Jan in both Virginia Beach and Currituck waters. During the month, Currituck & Dare, North Carolina were the only other counties along the East Coast to produce records for this species from shore, and the only other North American record in January occurred in Monterey, California. In past winter seasons, we’ve been fortunate to see a few records here, though they typically have occurred in February. Their movements are clearly tied to where the baitfish or available prey are located, and it seems we either saw the proper conditions earlier this year, or the fishing trawler fleet kicking up potentially forage items was truly our saving grace. In any case, it was exciting to see not just one, but two species of shearwaters from shore here this month, something that hasn’t. happened here since 2017 when both Manx & Great Shearwater were logged from Back Bay NWR. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Rare away from Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel islands, we had several records for GREAT CORMORANT from the beach at First Landing SP this month, beginning with a single flyby on 12 Jan (ph. June McDaniels). Up to four were observed on 15 Jan (vis. Andrew Rapp & Sam Simon), with one photographed during the evening on 16 Jan (ph. Matt Anthony, Erin Chapman, Baxter Beamer & Tucker Beamer) and a pair making for the final report on 19 Jan (vis. Allen Bryan). With adults of this species now coming into their breeding plumage, the white hip patch and extensive white on the face, plus an almost greenish sheen to their bold, black bodies, will make them stand out a bit more along our coastline, so hopefully February also produces some records. Not too many reports occurred for this species farther south along the East Coast during January, with just a few in Dare, New Hanover, and Brunswick, North Carolina, and a single in Charleston, South Carolina. Given the lack of reports to the south, this will be a tough species to find in transition as they head north along our coastline, so if out looking for this species, the southern Chesapeake Bay shoreline is probably best, or by opportunistically viewing them as a passenger riding across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, though that still requires a bit of luck. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Exciting in any month, we had a pair of records for AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN in Virginia Beach during January! Starting with an extremely unexpected flyover flock of thirteen at Stumpy Lake NA on 18 Jan (ph. Kyle Klotz), this made for only the second eBird record at that particular hotspot, after a flock of twelve were recorded heading north there back on 1 May 2018 (ph. Rob Bielawski). Additionally, a single individual was noted on the tidal flats off Pleasure House Point NA in the Lynnhaven River on the evening of 20 Jan (vis. Tracy Tate). That individual continued to be observed in the same general area around Lynnhaven Inlet over the next couple of days, before vanishing over the Thoroughgood Golf Course on 22 Jan (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty). With flocks typically present throughout the winter and spring and Hog Island WMA in Surry, Virginia, and others sometimes present at refuges in Maryland, Delaware, and North Carolina, we tend to see individuals or groups in transit between these locations. Most often, records occur along the immediate coastline and are simply one day occurrences, so it is nice that at least one individual was twitchable this month. The bulk of records for the species occurred at inland states this month, but the East Coast saw records extent as far north as Atlantic, New Jersey in January. Given their distribution in past years, it's likely that we could see more during February along our coast, so it’s always a species to keep in mind here.(Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Our other, and significantly more common pelican species, the BROWN PELICAN, also produced a record worth noting in Virginia Beach this month. During a snowfall event that produced extreme, onshore winds throughout the morning of 31 Jan, a single Brown Pelican was found on a freshwater stormwater pond in the Ocean Lakes neighborhood off Casanova Drive (ph. Rob Bielawski). While expected year-round in good numbers along our coastline, and along the shorelines of brackish rivers and tributaries, this species is quite rare on freshwater bodies, with most occurring north of I-264 where there is not much distance between brackish waterways. In the southern half of the city, records of this nature are very scarce in eBird, though Sherwood Lakes, and Stumpy Lake have had records in past years, but by no means on an annually-occurring basis. Like many species of terns and other species normally seen over the ocean, it takes a significant weather event to push Brown Pelicans inland, so it is always worth noting when it does occur. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Rare, but with some pattern of occurrence in the extreme southern portions of Virginia Beach during the winter season, a group of CATTLE EGRETS, likely the same group picked up last month during the Back Bay CBC nearby on 29 Dec, managed to linger through at least 16 Jan around Charity Neck Road (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith), after being logged on 10 Jan (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty) as well. Last winter, which was an above average season in terms of temperatures, we had a few that managed to spend the entire season, but the cooler weather of this season has clearly dampened records for the species, even in areas where they are likely to occur. An exciting species for Virginia Beach, this one of our specialties that many Virginia birders will look for in January here, to kick off their year lists, since we are the northeastern extreme of their tolerable winter range. This fact was put on display perfectly in January, with no other records occurring north of this group, and very few occurring in northeastern North Carolina, with the closest photographic record occurring in central South Carolina this month. The likelihood for continuing reports of this species drops significantly in February, as the lone holdouts can tend to be pushed farther south by weather systems, and spring arrivals do not typically begin arriving until very late in March or early April. So, it will be interesting to see what February provides for us in terms of this species in not just Virginia Beach, but the state overall. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Likely present, but very hard to find in the southern half of Virginia Beach due to the extent of privately owned lands comprising their desired habitat, several flocks of AMERICAN PIPITS reported this month made for quite a treat. In most years, we are very fortunate to see even a couple of records for this species, and there has been years where it has almost been missed altogether, saved only by single individuals. But, a group of eighteen at NAS Oceana (restricted) got things rolling for us on 5 Jan (ph. Karl Suttmann), and then a large flock was found along Munden Road on 13 Jan (ph. Amy & Steve Myers) with counts reaching up to 123 individuals as it moved around the nearby roadways & fields through 25 Jan. Also, the field adjacent to the Harris Teeter Retention Pond produced a group of five on 17 Jan (vis. David Clark), making for a new species at that hotspot in eBird. Last year, we did not get a single record for this species until September, when an early migrant made landfall on the beach at Back Bay NWR while a group of birders had collectively arrived to see the Eared Grebe found an hour or so before. Clearly, we are more fortunate this winter season, with somewhere around 150 times more individuals known to be present. Certainly, this an expected species throughout Virginia during the winter season, but Hampton Roads has always struggled with records given much of the area is suburban. Chesapeake and Suffolk were the only others among the Seven Cities this month to produce records. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Continuing from 4 Dec (ph. June McDaniels), a group of three SNOW BUNTINGS persisted along the dunes of First Landing SP near the border with JEB Fort Story through at least 23 Jan (ph. Daniel Lebbin)! Additionally, a group of three was logged late last month on the Little Creek CBC at the namesake military base, and that group was reported once again this month, on 24 Jan (ph. Karl Suttmann). It seems quite possible, perhaps even likely that this is the same flock of birds moving around a bit along the southern Chesapeake Bay shore, especially given that there was not a single report in any state south of Virginia during January, and Virginia saw no other records either, not even from the Eastern Shore where they are more likely to occur than here. Of course, it is possible there are flocks out on the barrier islands that no one can get to, but it still feels remarkable that the nearest records were in Sussex, Delaware this month. Usually an early-departing species, they will typically vanish be mid-to-late February, so for it is likely that this group will be moving on quite soon. In past winters, we have been lucky to have flocks along the north end of the resort beach, but this month, none were logged east of the First Landing/Fort Story fence area. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Very rare anywhere in the state during the winter season, the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW found at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 30 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski) continued to be seen sporadically throughout January, mostly in close association with a single Field Sparrow, with the latest observation occurring on the northeast side of the asphalt pathway on 30 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski). Additionally, what could perhaps be the same individual given the fairly close proximity, but could also be a different one, a Clay-colored Sparrow was reported at an Ocean Lakes private residence on 13 Jan (vis. Brandon Holland) and again on 22 Jan. With only single January records for this species in 2018 and 2020 in Virginia Beach, this individual provided ample opportunity for month-listers to see this species in the city. Another Clay-colored Sparrow was found on the Nansemond River CBC out in Suffolk early in the month, but no others were known to occur in Virginia overall during January. Highlighting the rareness of this species during the winter season, only seven total individuals were observed during January north of Virginia’s latitude in eastern North America, with singles in each of Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, and a pair of records in Nova Scotia. Farther to the south, North Carolina and Georgia each had two, though South Carolina did not produce any records. One in Alabama, and then a few in Florida rounded out all the records east of the Missisppi River in January. Heading towards spring, this species becomes less and less likely in the area, with most records occurring during fall migration in Sep/Oct, occasionally lingering over in Nov. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
As with December, we saw records for WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW in three separate locations 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 this site also held at least one other immature and one adult GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW on 19 Nov (ph. Steve Myers); a second immature was confirmed to be of the Gambel’s race as well on 6 Dec (ph. & v.r. Rob Bielawski). During January, a second immature Dark-lored was observed in simultaneous view with the first on 3 Jan and counts of up to 4 different individuals were noted throughout the month at this location. Elsewhere in the city, an immature first found at Back Bay NWR on 27 Oct (ph. June McDaniels) continued into January, with a sight report on 3 Jan (vis. Robert Wood), and a photographic record on 13 Jan (ph. Reuben Rohn). Also, one of the two individuals that had been found along the HRSD Atlantic WWTP fence line near Ocean Lakes High School on 13 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) also persisted this month through 25 Jan (ph. Steve Keith). So, given the overall scarceness of this species in Virginia’s coastal plain, with no other records this month east of the Richmond metro, it seems Virginia Beach has become a haven for finding them. In all three cases, individuals are tied closely to chain-linked fences surrounded by dense vegetation, and with freshwater nearby. That clearly cannot be a coincidence, and any other locations that fit that description should be checked moving forward, as there could be other areas of the city that might be hosting this species right now! In terms of the rarer subspecies, only nine other Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow were recorded to eBird east of the Mississippi River this month, and only one other location, Kings, Nova Scotia, held more than one individual, which shows how remarkable it is that Virginia Beach is currently hosting a pair at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond. (Species-level: Jan 2021 Map of Records | Gambel’s race: Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Much rarer in Virginia Beach than its extremely similar relative, the Nelson’s Sparrow, we were fortunate to have a single record for SALTMARSH SPARROW occur within our borders this month when one was photographed at Pleasure House Point NA right at the end of the month on 31 Jan (ph. June McDaniels). Always scarce in Virginia Beach, though more expected to occur in October during the species’ peak movements, there simply is not a lot of habitat in the city capable of holding individuals throughout the winter season here. It is likely that others are present in the brackish marshes of the Lynnhaven River, but Pleasure House Point (and perhaps First Landing SP) provide the only accessible options to birders who do not happen to live along the shorelines, or know someone who does. This time of year, the species, like the other Ammospiza sparrows, is quite secretive and most views are only glimpses, which makes field separation from Nelson’s Sparrow even more problematic. Best looked for during high tide on very calm mornings, the marshes that abut the sandy shorelines south and southwest of the Brock Center tend to be the most favorable for finding this species. East Coast records extended up to northeast Massachusetts this month, though Virginia only had reports from the Eastern Shore where it is more expected to occur, and from saltmarshes in Mathews & Hampton. Hopefully, with continued effort, we keep seeing reports for this species as the year moves forward though. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
A truly peculiar species, with an equally peculiar distribution during the winter season, Virginia Beach hosted at least three YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS during January, account for half of the individual logged in the state this month! The first, was a continuing individual found along the fence line at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond back on 11 Dec (vis. Mike Collins) and recorded at the same location through at least 23 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski). Additionally, we had two new occurrences noted this month, with the first being a single individual found behind the visitor center at Back Bay NWR around midday on 2 Jan (ph. Greg Hudson), and continuing here and on the adjacent Raptor Trail through at least 29 Jan (vis. Robert Wood). The second new occurrence was an individual found along Munden Road between the Beasley & Whitehurst Tracts of Princess Anne WMA during the morning hours of 14 Jan (ph. Steve Keith), which was only present for a single day, or just did a very good job of hiding among all the dense tangles along the road moving forward. Last winter, we had two individuals successfully make it through the season, with one in this same exact area along Munden Road, and another at Little Island Park. Clearly, the ocean and our latitude tend to keep Virginia Beach warmer than the rest of the state this time of year, so if this species is to occur in the state, it mostly likely will be here. This month though, Chesapeake had a pair of records, and Norfolk also had a single individual visiting a residence that was quickly made famous for also hosting the state’s first Buff-bellied Hummingbird. Meanwhile, North Carolina to our south, and Maryland & Delaware to our north did not hold a single record for Yellow-breasted Chat, yet, Massachusetts had a bunch, and one even survived the entire month on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. A peculiar species, indeed! (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
In a miraculous turn of events, Virginia Beach was hot to not one, but two BULLOCK’S ORIOLES during January! The first was the continuing immature male first spotted at a private residence’s feeder in South Shore Estates on 27 Dec (vis. James Marcum) which continued to give excellent views to visiting birders through the afternoon hours of 4 Jan (ph. Baxter Beamer & Martina Nordstrand). As mentioned in the December Journal, this individual made for the first record in Virginia Beach since one was present at Back Bay NWR on 2 Dec 2016 (ph. Mike Collins). That individual was an adult male, and as fate would have it, the other Bullock’s Oriole to grace us with its presence this month was also an adult male, first found at a separate private residence in Lake Smith on 4 Jan (ph. Bob Zabot)! This marks the first time more than one Bullock’s Oriole has ever been known to be in Virginia Beach at the same date. During January, one other individual was present in Harrisonburg, and about seventeen others were logged to eBird east of the Mississippi River, with only about ten of those north of the Gulf states. The surge of western vagrants to the East Coast this Fall and Winter season has been nothing short of incredible, and though the reasons aren’t well known, there will certainly be plenty of examination of eBird records from this season on species like Bullock’s Orioles moving forward. For a species that does not even show up in Virginia at all most year, hosting two different individuals at the same time here in Virginia Beach clearly demonstrates that something, whether it be weather related or what, had to have occurred to push individuals of this species eastward. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
As mentioned last month, for a fifth winter in a row, we appear to have a flock of BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS spending the season at Breeze Farms on West Gibbs Road, with the first record popping up on 4 Dec (ph. Steve Myers) of a single individual, which quickly became a group of fourteen by mid-month (ph. Joe Girgente & Hannah Wojo). During January, eleven were present on 7 Jan (ph. Baxter Beamer), and at least four continued at this location through 30 Jan (vis. Avery, Mary & Taylor Coker). Also like last month, Surry County held a pair of records through 3 Jan, and one was also recorded in Madison on 1 Jan. From South Carolina north and northeast though, only Maryland held another flock, and Pennsylvania had a single report, so this species shows a very straight line from Lake Michigan to Florida where its distribution screeches to a halt this time of year. Given that the flock has continued at Breeze Farms throughout the entire winter season in past years, it is very likely that we will see more reports moving forward, though January usually gets the most simply because birders are out starting new year lists, and this species is quite high up on the list of hopefuls. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
In addition to the five expected species of warblers that winter in Virginia Beach on an annual basis, we had three seasonally rare warbler species present during January! The first of these was also the most reported, with at least four, and potentially five BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS logged in Virginia Beach this month. The first had been found at Stumpy Lake NA back on 22 Nov (ph. Lisa Rose), and persisted in the same general area along the wooded trail loops through 25 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), though there is some potential for more than one wintering Black-and-white Warbler to be present in this forested area. Another continued at private residence in Oak Springs from 13 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) all the way up to 26 Jan, and this individual might also have accounted for a new record nearby in Chimney Hill at another private residence on 7 Jan (vis. Jen Klotz). Additionally, two new individuals occurred this month, with one at a Kempsville private residence on 5 Jan (vis. Betty Sue Cohen), and another at Carolanne Farms Park on 10 Jan (ph. Charlie Bruggemann), and while each of these were only observed on the one date, both are potentially still in the area. Quite a few other records were scattered about Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk & Newport News this month as well, though Richmond had the only other Virginia records. Only seven records for this species occurred north of Virginia this month, with three in Maryland, three in Pennsylvania and one remarkable outlier on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland. While it’s easy to suggest that this species could be a candidate for removing from the rarity list in eBird here, given the number of reports for this species this season, it needs to be noted that very few individuals in any given year survive the entire winter season through to April, when northbound individuals start showing back up, so it will likely retain its rarity status here (and elsewhere in Virginia) until the data truly shows otherwise. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Unexpected here after October and extremely rare during the winter season, a NORTHERN PARULA found in a neighborhood in central Virginia Beach on 16 Jan (ph. Matt Anthony, Baxter Beamer & Tucker Beamer) made for an exceptional mid-winter find! In fact, this makes for the very first January record across all years of eBird data for Virginia Beach! Nearby, Norfolk has had individuals logged during January in 2014 (vis. Davey Erekson) & 2016 (ph. William Mueller), and Chesapeake also got on board this month with a single individual visiting a feeder very close to the Virginia Beach border on 18 Jan (ph. Keith Roberts). In addition to the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake records, there were a pair of others reported in the state, with one in Alexandria and one in Fairfax. Aside from those, there were only three other records during January in states/provinces north of here, with one each in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, and Ontario. In a typical year, we will not start to see northbound migrants of this species returning to the state until the very end of March, or early April, so the odds of additional reports into February or early March are quite slim. But it would be good to follow up on this individual, just to see how long it does decide to linger into the season locally. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Continuing for the fourth winter season in a row, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER spending the season in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach was reported through at least 21 Jan (ph. Una Davenhill) after having first shown up again on 12 Oct at this private residence. Though December held a record for another Yellow-throated Warbler in the Red Mill section of the city, the Kempsville individual was the only to be recorded in January. Another winterer was present along the Potomac River in Fairfax this month, and one continued at a residence in Newport News as well, which rounds out all the state’s known occurrences for Yellow-throated warbler to kick off the new year. Only a few occurred north of Virginia with Nova Scotia hosting several and Massachusetts’ pair of reports being the most northeasterly during January. Only Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana & the District of Columbia held other records to our north this month. Like the Northern Parula mentioned above, northbound migrants of this species won’t begin to show up until late March, so we had a ways to go before their population can get a boost again. As such, it will be fun to see how many persist at our latitude and farther north during February. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Quite the winter surprise, a male WESTERN TANAGER was found along the southern border of JEB Fort Story along 89th Street on 11 Jan (ph. June McDaniels), marking the only eBird record for the species in the city this month! In most winters, we tend to have a couple of records for this species, though typically at private residences that are not visible to the general birding public. So, this individual was quite exciting, being found from a public location, however there were no further reports though quite a few folks did follow up on this one. For a couple of seasons, Pleasure House Point NA produced records, but it has been a few years now since once was seen there. With their habits of visiting feeders in residential areas, anyone who maintains feeders throughout the winter should be keeping an eye out for this species, which can often mix among Baltimore Orioles here. As with the Bullock’s Orioles mentioned earlier in this report, this species is a very rare western vagrant to the East Coast during the winter season, though Virginia as a state tends to see a few records each year, mostly near the coast or the western bayshore. To that end, both Gloucester and York produced records during January, but those were the only others in Virginia. Only six records occurred north of Virginia this month, with one in northeast Nova Scotia being the most widely spaced outlier occurrence. (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Lastly, our mostly colorful winter rarity, PAINTED BUNTING somewhat expectedly produced a few eBird records during January as well. Continuing individuals first logged 20 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) in Central Virginia Beach were reported through 16 Jan (vis. Matt Anthony, Baxter Beamer & Tucker Beamer) while a female/immature type individual found at a private residence in Laurel Manor on 5 Oct continued through 8 Jan (ph. Tommy Maloney). Another continuing female/immature first observed at a Kempsville private residence on 27 Dec was logged through 5 Jan (ph. Betty Sue Cohen). At a new location for this season, a vivid adult male was recorded in Pinewood Gardens on 15 Jan (ph. Catherine Johnson), marking the second season that this neighborhood produced a record, with another occurring here in Feb 2019. With roughly a dozen or so records in southeastern Virginia this month, and another dozen or so records in areas north of here, this has proven itself to be a banner season for the species along the East Coast. For a species that typically breeds south of here, its winter distribution reaching all the way up to Cape Cod, Massachusetts this month is a bit perplexing to say the least. But for the folks who are fortunate enough to see this beautiful passerine, thoughts regarding the expectations of their wintering range are probably not the first thing that comes to mind! (Jan 2021 Map of Records)
Species that had their first-of-season reports in a prior month, but had their first media record during January included:
Canvasback – First Observed: 1, Lake Joyce, 1 Dec (obs. C Lesley); First Photographed: 2, Haygood Point Park, 22 Jan (ph. Steve Keith).
Redhead – First Observed: 1, Back Bay NWR, 29 Dec (vis. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh); First Photographed: 2, Sherwood Lakes, 1 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Of course, plenty of other exciting finds occurred around the city this month, and the following is a listing of miscellaneous notes from the field & eBird that warrant mention in this month’s Journal:
Though increasingly common to almost abundant during the winter season around the Back Bay watershed in southern Virginia Beach, a single White Ibis at Pleasure House Point NA on 5 & 13 Jan (vis. Baxter Beamer & Martina Nordstrand) and at nearby Bayville Farms Park on 19 Jan (ph. June McDaniels, ph. Steve Myers) made for the only outlier record in the city this month.
Unusually scarce this month in the city, a group of four male Common Eiders was a standout record at Rudee Inlet on 11 Jan (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris). Most surprising is that three of the four males were adults, and drakes are exceptionally rare here even during seasons when the species is present in high numbers.
During the mid-January (15 Jan) refuge impoundment survey at Back Bay NWR, a single Snowy Egret was noted (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton), making for the only record of this species this month in Virginia Beach away from the Lynnhaven River estuary where it expectedly winters each year.
A single American Oystercatcher was observed flying past Rudee Inlet on 24 Jan (vis. William Goode, Jr.), making for the only record for the species this month away from their typical winter holdout site at Lynnhaven Inlet.
Similar to the Common Eider mentioned above, Common Goldeneye was exceptionally scarce this month in the city. Only a single report of a drake, a plumage not seen in the city on an annual basis in recent years, occurred at Rudee Inlet on 28 Jan (ph. Steve Myers).
Unusual during January away from the northern reaches of Virginia Beach along the southern Chesapeake Bay shore, a single Osprey was recorded at Little Island Park on 30 Jan (vis. Greg Fleming), marking the only such record for the month.
As of January’s ending, a total of 2,304 photographs & audio records were submitted to eBird for Virginia Beach. All of these images & recordings can be viewed by visiting this page over at eBird.
Looking at temperatures for the month, January was quite typical (49°F/35°F for daily highs/lows), when looking at the prior ten-year averages (50°F/33°F). Though, it felt like a cold month given last year’s iteration came up quite a bit warmer (55°F/40°F). Throughout the month, we ranged from a high of 62°F on 2 Jan to a low of 27 on 29 Jan, marking the second coldest temperature here this season after we hit 26°F on 26 Dec (which was the coldest temperature for the 2020 calendar year).
Hopefully over the course of the next twenty-eight days, we see another exciting suite of unusual finds 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 next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during February! 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.