December 2022

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December was a month of extremes in Virginia Beach, with a warm introduction, but a very cold final act. Temperatures plummeted to a low temperature of 12°F on 24 Dec as a strong winter storm tracked crossed the country and impacted the East, marking the lowest temperature here since 8 Jan 2018 (10°F). This storm induced freezing of waterways to the north and farther inland and resulted in large movements of waterfowl into the region. Overall, daily high/low temperatures averaged 52°F/36°F, slightly lower than the 30-year climate average values of 54°F/38°F. In total, 175 species were reported to eBird during the month, including 27 species that met the Notable Criteria and are therefore presented in detail as follows:

LeConte’s Sparrow at Back Bay NWR on 30 Dec.

Mixed among a large flock of Canada Geese on the north pond of Sherwood Lakes, five CACKLING GEESE were found on 17 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski), with a peak count of eight later reported 19 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), and at least two continued at the site through 29 Dec (ph. Arun Bose during the Back Bay CBC). Additionally, a single Cackling Goose was found, also during the Back Bay CBC (29 Dec), at Back Bay NWR mixed in with a flock of Tundra Swans on the bay (vis. Sage Church; later ph. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Only recorded at Back Bay NWR this month, two BLUE-WINGED TEAL were photographed on C Pool from the waterfowl blind on 18 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski) and a total of six were photographed on A Pool (ph. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh) during the Back Bay CBC. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

A first for the winter season along Virginia’s coast, a female COMMON MERGANSER was photographed on the freshwater pond south of Lynnhaven House & Colonial Education Center on 31 Dec (ph. Paul King). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Extremely rare for Virginia Beach, a WHITE-WINGED DOVE was found perched on a power line near the intersection of Sandpiper Road and Sea Scape Road in Sandbridge during the Back Bay CBC on 29 Dec (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Dianne Hinch). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

At least four private residential feeders hosted records for RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS this month with a surprise female in Kings Grant on 7 Dec (ph. Ron Furnish), at least one continuing individual in Cypress Point through 29 Dec (vis. Debbie Schroeder), two continuing females in Laurel Cove through 30 Dec (ph. Loretta Silvia) with one also observed 31 Dec, and two continuing in Laurel Manor through 2 Dec (ph. Tommy Maloney) with one seen through 26 Dec. Additionally, a “hummingbird sp.” was reported in Great Neck Estates on 8 Dec (vis. J. A.). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Rare in the winter season, a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER was found on the B Pool at Back Bay NWR on 29 Dec (ph. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh) during the Back Bay CBC. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Two onshore records for PARASITIC JAEGER occurred this month, with two observed in flight past the beach at Back Bay NWR on 5 Dec (vis. David Clark & Lauren Mowbray) and a third photographed from the Little Island Park pier on 28 Dec (ph. Joe Girgente). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

A first for this winter season, a first cycle Kumlien’s-race ICELAND GULL was found among a large collection of mixed gulls on the Lynnhaven River tidal flats from Pleasure House Point NA just before dusk during the Little Creek CBC on 31 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski & Cindy Hamilton). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Mixed with a large grouping of Common & Red-throated Loons, a PACIFIC LOON was reported from the North End Beaches near 77th Street Beach on 16 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Likely brought here by freezing conditions farther north along the coast, an immature TRICOLORED HERON made for a nice surprise near the waterfowl blind at Back Bay NWR on the morning of 26 Dec (vis. Adam Sell) and marked the first record for this species in the city since the last fall transient was observed on 10 Oct. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Very secretive and difficult to find in Virginia Beach, a single BARN OWL was observed in pre-dawn flight over Princess Anne Road near Big Sky Farms on 11 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Exceptionally late for the species this far north, four in-flight BARN SWALLOWS were reported over the West Dike at Back Bay NWR on 10 Dec (vis. Patricia Scanlon), marking the first-ever December record of more than one individual for Virginia Beach, and the first December occurrence for the species as a whole since 3 Dec 2016. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

With very few records in recent years, an in-flight CAVE SWALLOW near the Brock Center at Pleasure House Point NA on 1 Dec (ph. Mike Collins) was the only coastal record north of southern Florida during the month and the first in Virginia Beach since 9 Nov 2017. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Continuing from last month, Virginia Beach’s first-ever VARIED THRUSH found 20 Nov (ph. Suzanne Phelps) remained present at a private residence in Lakeview Park through 1 Dec but despite extensive searching, was not seen again after this date. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

With a single individual first detected on First Landing SP’s beach on 15 Dec (vis. June McDaniels), a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS persisted at the location through 21 Dec, first photographed the following day (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) with counts reaching a peak of ten from 18-20 Dec. Additionally, a single was reportedly observed in-flight along the North End Beaches on 17 Dec (vis. Kathy Louthan & Pamela Scrima). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

For the third winter season in a row, Harris Teeter Retention Pond appears to be hosting an over-wintering CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, first recorded at this location back on 16 Oct (ph. Reuben Rohn), and observed most recently on 11 Dec. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Two different LARK SPARROWS were encountered this month, with the first found in the septic field north of the Back Bay NWR visitor center on 21 Dec (ph. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty) which was then reported through 27 Dec, and also a previously unknown individual visiting a private residence in Oak Springs on 29 Dec (ph. Sophie Bodrog & Alex Capaldi) during a Painted Bunting stakeout. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

At least two, and probably three WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were recorded this month, with a continuing Dark-lored adult at Harris Teeter Retention Pond first noted 4 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski) and reported through 29 Dec, as well as an immature reported at this location 28 Dec (vis. Tommy Maloney). A potential third individual, an immature, was photographed just to the south of this location in a scrubby field northeast of Sherwood Lakes (ph. Arun Bose & Loretta Silvia) on 29 Dec during the Back Bay CBC, and could either be a previously unknown individual or the same immature mentioned above. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

During a Cape Henry Audubon Society field trip, a LECONTE’S SPARROW was found along the West Dike next to D Pool at Back Bay NWR on 3 Dec (vis. Tracy Tate, Robert Ake, et al.) and continued to be seen at this location through 10 Dec. On 26 Dec, potentially a different LeConte’s Sparrow was discovered (ph. Kenneth Barnhart & Nancy Barnhart) adjacent to E Pool at the refuge, just north of where the East & West Dikes branch, with this individual exhibiting much more social behavior and being reliably observed through month’s end. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

A very low density wintering species in southeastern Virginia, and generally quite secretive and difficult to find here in any season, a surprise LINCOLN’S SPARROW was found at False Cape SP along the Sandy Ridge Trail (just south of the Wood Duck Overlook) during the Back Bay CBC on 29 Dec (vis. Elisa Flanders & Nicholas Flanders). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Unusual in Virginia Beach as a winterer due to a general lack of appropriate habitat, a flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS ranging in size from 2-80 birds was first detected at Stumpy Lake NA on 17 Nov (ph. Mary Hays) and continued to be observed through 21 Dec. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Continuing to be a reliable location each winter season, Breeze Farms along West Gibbs Road is once again hosting a small flock of BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS, with eight detected on 10 Dec (ph. Sage Church, Amanda Dymacek, Audrey Dymacek & Julian Dymacek) and count of 2-5 continuing through 31 Dec. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Increasingly more regularly encountered in early winter in recent years, at least three different locations yielded reports for BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS this month, with a female lingering at Stumpy Lake NA from 16 Dec (ph. Reuben Rohn) through at least 20 Dec, as well as one in the Diamond Springs area (vis. Tom St. Andre & Saundra Winstead) and one at Buckner Farms Park (vis. Kelly Creger & J. A.) during the Little Creek CBC on 31 Dec. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Rare but somewhat regularly reported as an early winter visitor at this latitude and farther north, a NASHVILLE WARBLER at a Laurel Manor residence on 11 Dec (ph. Tommy Maloney) made this the third December in a row to boast a record for this species, even though the last fall transient had been reported over a month prior on 1 Nov. (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

In a similar vein as the Nashville Warbler, NORTHERN PARULA is a rare early winter visitor in Virginia Beach, and for the third time in the last four Decembers, one was detected, this time on the Raptor Trail at Back Bay NWR on 2 Dec (vis. Amy Myers & Steve Myers) which is the city’s first since the last fall transient was logged on 22 Oct.  (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Though rare in the East, at least three WESTERN TANAGERS were observed this month, with a female briefly at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 9 Dec (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers), a female visiting the feeders at a private residence in Laurel Cove from 6 Dec (ph. Loretta Silvia) to 30 Dec, and lastly an immature male at an undisclosed private residence on 28 Dec (ph. Nylia Laney). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

Lastly, PAINTED BUNTING had a good showing this month, with a seasonal-repeat adult male visiting a private residence’s feeders in Oak Springs from 17 Dec (vis. Carolyn Page) through 30 Dec, and a female/immature briefly present in a Laurel Manor yard on 26 Dec (ph. Tommy Maloney). (Dec 2022 Map of Records)

As always, a wide array of media (photo/audio/video) was 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 December located on eBird's Media Explorer by clicking here! Please remember, anyone with an eBird user account has the ability to rate these photo/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 we will see records for some unexpected species in the city. For those who wish for observations to be included in this journal, please submit your records to eBird, 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 entry. Be sure to check back next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during January!

November 2021

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Vivid colors donned the vegetation around Virginia Beach this month, and the full vibrancy of oranges, yellows & reds was still readily apparent right up to month’s end, perhaps peaking a couple of weeks later than is typical here. Quite a change-up from last year, November proved to be colder than average with daily high temperatures averaging 59°F and daily lows averaging 42°F, putting the city at an even -2°F/-2°F in comparison to the NOAA 30-year climate average (61°F/44°F). These averages were in stark contrast to November 2020, which boasted significantly a significantly higher 68°F/49°F mark, although, we were right in line with November 2019’s 58°F/43°F averages. Overall, temperatures ranged from a high of 76°F on 18 Nov to a low of 28°F, the coldest day this season, on 30 Nov. As a birder, one might have expected that a cooler than average November would yield a greater number of waterfowl moving southward through the area. Unfortunately, this did not seem to be the case, as overall diversity & counts for ducks were obviously low, and we finished up the month without first-of-season records for Redhead, Long-tailed Duck, Canvasback, and Common Goldeneye. Most regularly occurring species were also later in arriving when comparing to the average arrival dates of recent seasons. Strong winds dominated the month, with most days boasting a westerly component. It seems somewhat possible that much of visible migration was simply farther offshore than we enjoy in Novembers when easterlies tend to dominate. These strong winds often made birding for passerines or other non-coastal species a bit more difficult than in prior Novembers. While diversity of expected coastal species felt a bit lacking for a month typically highlighted by large-scale movements, we were still extremely fortunate this month to host some stellar rarities and late season lingerers!

Adult Heermann's Gull / 37th Street Beach / 5 Nov

Kicking things off, the city’s first record for MUTE SWAN in over a year-and-a-half occurred this month, with an immature discovered along the upper reaches of Pleasure House Creek on 30 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer) while viewing from Pleasure House Point NA. A species that was formerly much more widespread throughout southeast Virginia, records nowadays tend to be few and far between, with the most recent record prior to this being of an adult that occurred along this same stretch of water from 21-26 Jun 2020 (ph. Tommy Maloney). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

A group of 5-6 female COMMON MERGANSERS on the North Landing River visible from Munden Point Park 27-28 Nov (ph. Charlie Carr & Ryan Carr) proved to be the most southeasterly occurrence for the species in Eastern North America this month. There were no other photographically documented records in coastal Virginia during November, making this an exceptional outlier, made all the more interesting for occurring away from the clear, deep, freshwater lakes that tend to snag the majority of records in Virginia Beach. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Rare along our coastline during the winter season, a group of seven RED KNOTS was discovered along the beach at False Cape SP on 15 Nov (obs. Lauren Mowbray), during the thrice-monthly Back Bay NWR survey. With the most recent reports for this species in Virginia Beach having occurred in the same stretch of beach on 28 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), it seems likely that we won’t see records elsewhere until spring migration brings this species back northward. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Immature Brown Booby & Double-crested Cormorants / Rudee Inlet / 28 Nov

Unusual this late in the season, a single WESTERN SANDPIPER foraging along the sandy beach at First Landing SP on 1 Nov (ph. June McDaniels) made for an exciting late fall record. While Virginia Beach is within the latitude tolerance of this species’ winter range (and the species is regularly observed in nearby Hampton and along the Eastern Shore lagoon system), our lack of its preferred tidal mudflat habitat makes them very scarce here after early October. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Reported from the two most popular seawatch locations in the city this month, PARASITIC JAEGERS were observed 11-13 & 23 Nov from Little Island Park (peak count of 2, vis. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty) and 27-28 Nov from Rudee Inlet (one photographic record on the latter date, ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). In recent fall seasons, November has been prime time for jaeger migration, though numbers appeared down this year especially when compared to the 2017 season, but probably more around average for our patch of coastline. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Extremely rare away from pelagic waters, an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was viewed flying over the Chesapeake Bay mouth from First Landing SP’s beachfront on 3 Nov (vis. David Clark). Coupled with another sight record from Accomack, these were the only records for the species this month in the state, and the Virginia Beach record was the first inshore record for the city going back to 19 May 2020 when Tropical Storm Arthur steered one past 83rd Street Beach (vis. Edward Brinkley). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Adult White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's) / Harris Teeter Retention Pond / 21 Nov

Astonishing for Eastern North America as a whole, an adult HEERMANN’S GULL in non-breeding plumage was found along the Oceanfront beaches near 33rd Street Beach two or three days prior to being reported to eBird on 4 Nov (ph. Deb Oare & Steve Oare). While there was also a first cycle Heermann’s Gull milling around Hopewell during November, this species is so unexpected in the east that it is widely speculated the adult is the same individual that showed up near here in May, and has been trekking up and down (and up?) the East Coast over the past year. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Typically not found at our latitude (or farther to the north) after 10 Nov, a single CASPIAN TERN observed flying past the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on 22 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for an excellent 12-day late record. This marks the latest fall departure record we have in eBird for the city, though there is one bizarre, outlier occurrence of an individual found in mid-winter at Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) on 12 Jan 2020 (ph. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

One would have been excellent, but BROWN BOOBY, a species we don’t see annually in the city, managed to produce an incredible pair of records in Virginia Beach this month! An adult was first observed flying along Sandbridge on 26 Nov (ph. Carrie Sandler) then later reported from Back Bay NWR, Little Island Park and Rudee Inlet through 29 Nov, while an immature was viewed off Rudee Inlet 27-29 Nov (ph. Baxter Beamer, Rob Bielawski, Steve Keith & Max Nootbaar) following a fishing trawler and at times, perching on the offshore groin (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Royal Terns / Little Island Park / 7 Nov

A fairly rare transient along our coastline, and mostly unexpected to occur within Virginia Beach away from the Chesapeake Bay mouth and bridge-tunnel complex, GREAT CORMORANT produced at least three notable reports this month. An individual was photographed in flight during strong onshore winds from Little Island Park on 6 Nov (ph. Baxter Beamer & Steve Myers) with perhaps a different individual passing by 8 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and potentially a third individual was reported from 85th Street Beach on 30 Nov (vis. Cindy Hamilton & Kathy Louthan). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Rare, but regular as a transient over Virginia Beach airspace, a group of fourteen AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS that put down on the tidal flats off Pleasure House Point NA on 13 Nov (ph. Matthew Doyle & Ray Doyle) made for a notable occurrence, with the last similar record (stationary flock) there occurring 29-30 Jan 2016 (vis. Stephen Living; ph. Andrew Baldelli). Additionally, a group of three was sighted flying past 89th Street Beach during the morning of 3 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

A pair of immature LITTLE BLUE HERONS reported at Princess Anne WMA (Beasley Tract) on 14 Nov (vis. Reuben Rohn) made for an exciting, late record for the city. Typically not found in Virginia Beach after 25 Oct, this is one of several waders that tends to linger into November more expectedly on the Eastern Shore to our north, than it does here, but one that always needs to be kept in mind in late fall and even into early winter (Dec). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Yellow-rumped Warbler / Princess Anne WMA / 28 Nov

Very similar in terms of expected distribution this time of year, one to two TRICOLORED HERONS also at Princess Anne WMA (Beasley Tract) on 14 Nov (2, vis. Andrew Baldelli; later 1, vis. Reuben Rohn) made for yet another unexpected wader surprise. Interestingly, Tricolored Heron tends to be a low-density, but expected winterer on the Eastern Shore’s barrier island marshes (most often noted from Chincoteague NWR) but is usually not present in Virginia Beach, aside from the occasional outlier at Back Bay NWR, past 15 Oct. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

A first for the city since 2019, a BARN OWL was observed on private property along Back Bay Landing Road on 4 Nov (vis. June McDaniels), marking only the third eBird record for Virginia Beach (though there are surely other historical occurrences documented). With a very specific habitat preference for grain silos and barns, this species is unlikely to be observed anywhere in the city with public access (aside from the two records from 2018 & 2019 at Pleasure House Point NA), but could potentially exist on private lands in the southern portion of the city. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Rare in Eastern North America, though with a window of annual likelihood from roughly Nov-Jan, a vagrant ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER made its way to Little Island Park on 12 Nov (ph. Ty Smith, David Spears & Evan Spears), making for the state’s only record so far for the fall 2021-spring 2022 cycle. While this species has been detected annually in recent years in Virginia Beach, individuals are typically not long-staying, as was the case here as well, with no follow-up reports unfortunately, but with potential for others to show up over the next couple of months at least. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

White Ibis / Princess Anne WMA / 14 Nov

Always a species to look for in late fall and early winter in Virginia Beach, at least two occurrences for WHITE-EYED VIREO were documented in November, with one reported from a private residence in Oak Springs 10 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) and another heard and seen at False Cape SP 13 Nov (vis. & aud. Mich Coker). While we haven’t had a documented over-wintering White-eyed Vireo since the 2019-2020 season, it was nice to boast records for the species this month that eclipsed the typical 20 Oct fall departure date. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

For a season in which the species clearly isn’t irrupting into the region, a report of two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES at First Landing SP 10 Nov (vis. & aud. June McDaniels) near the campground area, was certainly notable. While most birders were spoiled during the large-scale invasion of this species during the 2020-21 winter season, there has been only a few locations (Stumpy Lake NA, Back Bay NWR, False Cape SP) in Virginia Beach that have yielded reports so far this season, and unless we see a major shift in the weather, the species is likely to remain scarce. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Found primarily in agricultural fields, and typically farther inland from the coast than Virginia Beach, it was exciting to see a single report this month for AMERICAN PIPIT, with an unexpected individual present on the wind-washed mudflats of Back Bay NWR’s kayak launch on 8 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani). Only the second record for the species (and second individual) in the city this fall season, unless someone happens upon an as-yet-unknown flock in Pungo or Blackwater, this could potentially be the last individual recorded until spring migration, with the species often unreported during the winter season here. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Lesser Black-backed Gull / 37th Street Beach / 5 Nov

Very similar to Red-breasted Nuthatch in terms of year-to-year distribution, a single vocalizing flyover PINE SISKIN made for a notable record at Pleasure House Point NA on 10 Nov (aud. David Clark) given no others have been reported within Virginia Beach this fall season. Interestingly, only a single individual as photographed south of Virginia Beach along the coast this month (Dare, NC) which really showcases just how scarce a species this can be outside of irruption seasons (like 2020-21 was). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Exceptionally early in terms of eBird records for Virginia Beach, a FOX SPARROW arrived at an Indian River private residence on 15 Nov (vis. George Harris), marking the earliest fall arrival date for the species since one at Carolanne Farms Park on 9 Nov 2017 (obs. Brandon Holland). Typical arrival for Virginia Beach tends to be around 25 Nov, though this species’ habitat preference for forested areas and adjacent thickets could potentially obscure arrival dates due to the difficulty in detecting individuals, and less birder coverage in forested portions of the city during this time of year following the end of peak passerine migration by early October. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Very scarce in coastal areas south of Delaware, only one location in Virginia Beach yielded records for WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW this month with up to five different individuals reported at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond, sporadically throughout November. At least one of the individuals is an adult GAMBEL’S (found 31 Oct, ph. Tommy Maloney, and observed again 21 Nov, ph. Rob Bielawski), a western vagrant subspecies with only a handful of records in Eastern North America this month, while the others all appear to be of the expected, Dark-lored race. (Nov 2021 Map of Records | Gambel’s Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Eastern Bluebird / Princess Anne WMA / 28 Nov

Rare as a transient in late fall, and rarer heading into the winter season, a single LINCOLN’S SPARROW found at Princess Anne WMA (Whitehurst Tract) on 28 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for only the second record in the city this cycle, with another being found only a mile or so away on the Beasley Tract in October. One of the more secretive sparrows, this species has been found at the WMA in each of the past three winter seasons, so there is certainly potential for reports to continue into December. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Exceptional anywhere along the East Coast, the adult male BULLOCK’S ORIOLE that showed up a South Shore Estates private residence on 15 Oct (vis. James Marcum; later ph. David Clark) continued to be noted through 19 Nov, but appears to have vanished, with no reports over the last third of November. Presumed to be the now-grown-up immature male that visited this feeder setup last winter (stayed 27 Dec-4 Jan), this is perhaps only the third ever record of an adult male Bullock’s Oriole in Virginia Beach, and one of only seven wayward individuals reported from east of the Mississippi River during November. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

The only records thus far in the state for the fall 2021-spring 2022 cycle, at least two PAINTED BUNTINGS were noted during November around Oceana NAS at private residences from 26 Nov (one adult male and one female/immature, ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) through 29 Nov (one female/immature, ph. Cindy Hamilton). A true outlier in Virginia, for whatever reason there seems to be a regular, and potentially sizable population of wintering Painted Buntings in Virginia Beach, though they tend to be exclusively found on private property. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)

Song Sparrow / Princess Anne WMA / 14 Nov

Species that had their first-of-season accepted observation in a prior month, but had their first media record during November included:

Species that had their first-of-season observation &/or media record during November included:

  • Tundra Swan – First Observed: X, Back Bay NWR, 1 Nov (obs. David Clark). First Photographed: 7, Back Bay NWR (Beach), 11 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani).

  • Lesser Scaup – First Observed: 2, 89th St. Beach, 3 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli).

  • Brant – First Observed: 2, Pleasure House Point NA, 3 Nov (obs. Cheryl Jacobson).

  • Bufflehead – First Observed: 3, Pleasure House Point NA, 3 Nov (vis. Steve Myers). First Photographed: 6, Pleasure House point NA, 10 Nov (ph. Steve Keith).

  • Hooded Merganser – First Observed & Photographed: 1 drake, Sherwood Lakes (North Pond), 4 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels).

  • Horned Grebe – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Sherwood Lakes (North Pond), 4 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels).

  • Red-breasted Merganser – First Observed: 1-4, Little Island Park, 6 Nov (vis. Baxter Beamer & Steve Myers). First Photographed: 2 females, Little Island Park, 7 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski).

  • Red-throated Loon – First Observed: 1, Little Island Park, 8 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli).

  • Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich) – First Observed & Photographed: 1, First Landing SP (Beach), 9 Nov (ph. June McDaniels).

  • Purple Sandpiper – First Observed: 2, Rudee Inlet, 15 Nov (vis. Steve Myers). First Photographed: 3, Rudee Inlet, 23 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney).

  • Fox Sparrow – First Observed: 1, Indian River (Private Residence), 15 Nov (vis. George Harris). First Photographed: 2, Stumpy Lake NA, 23 Nov (ph. Reuben Rohn).

  • Razorbill – First Observed: 20, Virginia Beach Pelagic Waters, 17 Nov (vis. Rudee Tours).

  • Common Eider – First Observed & Photographed: 1 immature male, Rudee Inlet, 23 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney).

  • Snow Goose – First Observed: 50, Rudee Inlet, 27 Nov (vis. Michael Linz & Patty McLean).

Carolina Chickadee / Back Bay NWR / 21 Nov

As always, a wide array of media (photo/audio/video) was 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 photo/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!

Back Bay / Back Bay NWR / 21 Nov

Hopefully over the course of the next thirty-one days we will see records for some unexpected species in the city. For those who wish for 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 entry. Be sure to check back next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during December!

February 2021

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Though the winter weather from January persisted through much of February, we received a bit of a warmup at the very end of the month, which led to our first blossoming Daffodils of the season, though not for the Bradford Pears or Redbuds like February 2020 somehow managed. Weatherwise, February proved to be a cooler than average month (50°F/36°F for daily highs/lows), when looking at the prior ten-year average temperatures (54°F/36°F). In fact, we were 8° cooler than February 2020 in terms of the average daily high temperature, which might help to explain last year’s early bloom. Throughout the month, we ranged from a low of 30°F on 21 & 22 Feb to a high of 70°F on 24 Feb (our warmest day since the 71°F mark logged on 24 Dec). This month, we also saw the very first of our northbound migrants this month, which means the winter season is officially reaching its end. As always, February was a short month, but over the course of its twenty-eight days, a total of 173 species produced accepted records in eBird! While this proved to be an expected decline from the 185 species we logged during January, it still reigned supreme when looking at other recent February tallies, even during the most recent Leap Year which provided an extra day of opportunity. This mark of 173 species bested the 165 species logged in 2020, as well as the 168, 155, 171 & 161 species logged in 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016, respectively. With two months under our belt for the year, Virginia Beach now sits at 190 species with accepted records in eBird, which has us five ahead of the 185 species logged through this same time in 2020, while we were en route to a record-setting calendar year total of 312 species. Additionally, with 1,270 complete checklists submitted this month, we now have 2,938 submitted for the year, which puts us far ahead of the pace required to top the high mark of 10,061 complete checklists submitted in 2019 after we were unable to do so last year.

Tricolored Heron along the Raptor Trail at Back Bay NWR on 26 Feb.

Highlights for February included: Ross's Goose, Brant, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Merganser, Western Grebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Gallinule, Long-billed Dowitcher, Dovekie, Laughing Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Herring x Glaucous Gull, Royal Tern, Pacific Loon, Great Cormorant, Tricolored Heron, Cattle Egret, Snow Bunting, Clay-colored Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Bullock's Oriole, Rusty Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler & Painted Bunting. Please note that a listing of which species qualify for the highlights section can be found here. Though we’re still a ways off from the bulk of spring migration, February does start us off in that regard with the first spring arrivals, including: Laughing Gull, Osprey & Blue-winged Teal. A full list of regularly-occurring species and their expected spring arrival dates can be found here.

Starting things off this month with the same species that the January Journal began with, we had quite a number of reports for a single ROSS’S GOOSE throughout February here in Virginia Beach. Initially found among a small flock of Canada Geese on Lake Windsor during the morning hours of 19 Jan (ph. Lisa Rose), this individual persisted through at least 26 Feb (ph. Steve Keith) at the lake, and at nearby Mt. Trashmore Park where it was frequently observed on the grassy hillside as well as on Lake Trashmore. This month, there were no other known Ross’s Geese in Virginia Beach, so this one received a great deal of attention in February from both local and visiting birders alike. As mentioned last month, this bird’s claim to fame has really been how approachable it is, with a lot of amazing photographs being taken without even disturbing it. Normally, when Ross’s Geese show up in Virginia Beach, they’re in private farm fields among massive goose flocks where views are quite poor, normally requiring a scope, and photography is severely limited, mostly to digiscoping. While the species sometimes lingers along the coast into March, it is one of the earliest of the geese to start heading out of the region, so hopefully folks don’t take all the reports of this individual for granted, and are able to get out and see it before it vanishes. There have not been a whole lot of reports in the state this cycle for Ross’s Goose, and during February only Tazewell, Montgomery, Rockingham, Loudon & Accomack held other records in Virginia. North Carolina had only three records, all of individuals and farther to the northeast of us, records extended only to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with one outlier in Ontario. Clearly, Ross’s Goose is a good find anywhere along the East Coast, even though it has some level of expectation in areas where large flocks of Snow Geese occur. The Lake Windsor individual has been quite kind to birders, mixing in with Canada Geese, and making itself quite apparent, even from great distance as a result! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Ross's Goose & Canada Goose on the hillside of Mt. Trashmore Park on 2 Feb.

While it is an expected species of waterfowl in coastal Virginia from October through April, BRANT are typically found along the immediate coastline and in brackish estuaries. During February though, a flock of 25 was reportedly seen on inland, freshwater Lake Witchduck on 6 Feb (vis. Dave Jacques), with eleven again seen on 15 Feb by the same observer. Over the past few winters, this species has occasionally popped up on Oliver’s Pond, not too far north of this area, and we’ve also had encounters with Brant on inland farm fields foraging among large flocks of Canada Geese. But, this species really “shouldn’t” be seen in such locations here when there is plenty of appropriate saltmarsh habitat along the Lynnhaven River for it to reside during the winter months. Interestingly, these freshwater reports were the only known occurrences for Brant within Virginia Beach during February, and Pleasure House Point NA, our typically reliable location to view this species, yielded none. Nearby in Norfolk, East Beach, which is just west of the Virginia Beach border that cuts through Little Creek Inlet, held groups though. At this location, Brant are often seen on the low tide mudflats and foraging for the no-longer-underwater vegetation that lines the artificial rock groins that protect this community’s beaches from heavier erosion. Here in southeast Virginia, we’re very close to the southernmost extent of this species normal wintering range, and the only Brant records during February that were south of Virginia occurred around Ocracoke Island in Dare, North Carolina, where there is an abundance of brackish habitat along the shorelines of Pamlico Sound. It’ll be curious to see what March provides in terms of local reports for this species, given February was a bit backwards compared to their usual distribution in Virginia Beach. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Known locally for its unique distribution as an expected spring & fall transient, but not an expected winterer or breeder, we were again fortunate to see some records for BLUE-WINGED TEAL in Virginia Beach during February. In most years, this species is absent from the city during Dec-Feb, but this particular winter season has provided a small flock for surveyors of the closed-to-the-public impoundments at Back Bay NWR. This month, that flock continued, with at least 17 present during the mid-month refuge survey on 16 Feb (ph. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Additionally, for the first time since this fall, nearby False Cape SP also produced a record when a small flock of seven was observed on 19 Feb (ph. Marlee Morris), which could either represent newly arrived northbound migrants, or could potentially be some of the individuals reported from Back Bay NWR simply moving around a bit on available waterways. Nearing month’s end, the species starts to become a bit more expected, as the average spring arrival date for northbound transients is 5 Mar. Still, it was quite exciting when a a drake & hen pair were found on an impoundment among a flock of Green-winged Teal at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract early in the morning of 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels), and were seen again later that afternoon (ph. Tracy Tate) to close out the month. Given that these are the first individuals on the western side of Back Bay this since a small flock of four was observed at nearby Beasley Tract on 27 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli), it feels more likely that are true spring arrivals than possible wintering individuals, as coverage of the area is quite good and no other reports occurred between during these two months of time. This WMA is only open on Sundays for birding, until April that is, but it at least has some accessibility to the public, whereas the impoundments on the east side of Back Bay will remain closed until April, when either the East or West Dike at Back Bay NWR will be opened for the season. Definitely the least predictable species of regularly-occurring waterfowl, Blue-winged Teal also held records around Richmond, Fairfax, and at Chincoteague during February, though most were also in the vein of likely spring arrivals, some did manage to winter at Dutch Gap in Chesterfield this season. In viewing the eBird maps for February, these early migrants (like two in Barnstable, Massachusetts) tend to obscure the areas where true wintering occurred, but it appears from a glance that some individuals this season did winter as far up the East Coast as New Jersey this season. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Western Grebe off of Little Island Park's pier on 7 Feb.

Rarest among the duck species observed in Virginia Beach this month, though still with some level of expectance here nowadays, a drake EURASIAN WIGEON found on Oliver’s Pond back on 21 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski) continued to be reported through at least 27 Feb. Still our only individual of this species known to have occurred in the city this cycle, we’re pretty much on par with past winter seasons that have also average about one individual here. This species’ range has expanded quite a bit over the last few decades, but we certainly also have benefited from a boost in coverage locally, with most accessible lakes and ponds being scoured here during the winter season for unusual waterfowl. That effort has certainly paid off, though we haven’t managed to find another Tufted Duck since 2019, there is always the potential for something unusual to be ferreted out. Freshwater bodies of water in the northern half of the city have been the most reliable locations to find Eurasian Wigeon, though anywhere flocks of dabbling ducks are present (Back Bay NWR, Princess Anne WMA, etc.) could yield additional individuals of this species. That said, hopefully birders continue to keep tabs on the Oliver’s Pond individual, which is typically quite a distant view from the public Haygood Point Park located on the north side of the pond. It will be interesting to see just how late into the spring observations continue for this drake, and knowledge of those departure dates is always valuable with continuing birds. Elsewhere in the state this month, one also continued at Dutch Gap in Chesterfield, while Craney had one and Hoffler Creek boasted two in Portsmouth, and lastly, two were reported at Chincoteague in Accomack. Farther to the south, Dare, North Carolina had a couple of reports, though none well-documented, but Georgetown, South Carolina had the most extreme southern outlier this month with a drake photographed among a dabbler flock on restricted-access property. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Very scarce this winter season in coastal Virginia, we finally had our first twitchable COMMON MERGANSER of the 2021 calendar year, when a female was discovered on the south pond of Sherwood Lakes on 18 Feb (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty)! Though this hen lingered here through at least 25 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli), it was reported very sporadically during its week-long stay, likely moving back onto the freshwater, former sand pit, lake on private property to the south whenever an eagle or anything else may have spooked the waterfowl on the south pond. In past winter seasons, especially in January and February, Sherwood Lakes has typically been the most reliable location in Virginia Beach to observe this species. Given Common Merganser’s preferred habitat is either clear, fast flowing streams, or deeper, clear freshwater lakes, this severely limits the available locations likely to host the species in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore. We’ve been fortunate here that there are many former sand pits that have the depth, and the clarity of water that the species can tolerate, so it has come a bit as a surprise this season that none had been around into the new year, though a hen was also present briefly on 19 Dec (vis. Brandon Holland), before likely the same bird was viewed at the Haviland Drive pond in the ensuing days. Given the two month separation, it feels likely that this February individual is a new bird, but it is in the realm of possibility that all these records could pertain to the same female, but certainly there isn’t any way to prove it, so best to treat them separately. While there were several undocumented reports in coastal North Carolina, the nearest records otherwise in the coastal plain were in the extreme northwestern portions of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. All metropolitan Richmond records occurred in the piedmont this month, so this hen at Sherwood Lakes was quite an outlier! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Adult Gambel's race White-crowned Sparrow at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 26 Feb.

The remarkable WESTERN GREBE that appears to be visiting our coastline for a fifth straight winter season continued this month with a single record near the Little Island Park pier on 7 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). 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 records in those cycles). Curiously, while our only report was on 7 Feb, as mentioned above, the Outer Banks of North Carolina had a record for this species off Nags Head on 6 Feb (vis. Elizabeth Farnum & Ken Karwowski), then at Cape Point from 9-11 Feb (vis. Daniel Irons), followed by a string of reports 20-25 Feb (vis. Jesse Anderson) just slightly to the west near Frisco. Given that there was no other coastal records between Nova Scotia and Texas during February, one wonders if all of these records pertain to the same individual. Last month, there had been a sighting near Corolla, which felt as though it could easily be the same individual roving between Little Island Park, Back Bay NWR, and False Cape SP, given Corolla is only a few miles south along the coast from the Virginia border. Now, with no further reports of the individual in Virginia coastal waters, and with the slough of records near Hatteras, it really makes for an interesting case. Aside from the Nova Scotia, North Carolina & Virginia records, the only other Western Grebes reported east of the Mississippi River during February were continuing individuals in Porter, Indiana, and Baltimore, Maryland, and a new individual along the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec. With possibly only a total of six individuals in the East this month, we were clearly fortunate to see a record within our borders, even if, in recent year, birders have come to expect the species to be present along our coastline after we’ve been spoiled with one these past few winters. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Rare this far north through the winter season, only one confirmed RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was logged to eBird in Virginia Beach during February, with a continuing adult male visiting the feeders at a private residence in Laurel Cove on 16 & 20 Feb (ph. Loretta Silvia). This male is likely to be the same individual that first arrived at this location way back on 2 Dec (ph. Loretta Silvia), but there’s always a chance that more than one has been visiting this area. In January, this residence had reports for two different individuals, with a female also photographed in addition to the adult male. With the only other residence in the city, in Cypress Point, last month to host a Ruby-throated Hummingbird not producing any reports into February, and the last occurring 19 Jan (vis. Debbie Schroeder), it seems if we are to see one make it through all the way to springtime, this Laurel Cove adult male is the best bet. Unless of course one that has been around, and simply not reported to eBird does suddenly find its way into the system. With northbound Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically arriving back into the area around 10 Apr (a few individual can certainly beat this date in any given year), there’s still a full month left before declaring this individual a true winterer, though it has likely made it through the harshest weather it will face before then, pending some unforeseen and disastrous turn in March that is! During February, there were only four other records for Ruby-throated Hummingbird noted elsewhere in Virginia, with one each in Chesapeake, Norfolk, York & Northampton. Coastal Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey each had at least one individual present in February, but there were none known to occur anywhere in Eastern North America north of the extreme southern tip of Cape May this month. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Male Black-and-white Warbler in the campground area of First Landing SP on 28 Feb.

Very secretive, and quite rare during the winter season anywhere in Virginia and farther to the north, a COMMON GALLINULE found at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 14 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski) made for quite a surprise this month. The only record for the species in the entire state of Virginia this month, this was also a new species for all Februarys in eBird for Virginia Beach, and only the second for the state during any February, with the only other report hailing from King and Queen back on 3 Feb 2019 (vis. Frederick Atwood). As always, it’s quite possible that other records exist, but have simply not been input to eBird, but this appears to be the first such photographic record for the species. Potentially the same individual noted again two Sundays later on 28 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate), it seems likely given the abundance of habitat this season, that this individual will continue moving forward into spring. In recent years, this wildlife management area has become a somewhat reliable location to see this species, though records tend to pop up in April, when Common Gallinules are in motion and getting ready for the breeding season. At that time, their vibrant breeding plumage makes them a bit more visible, though they are still exceptionally cryptic, hiding among dense marsh grasses throughout the daytime, and very rarely moving out into open view. There is always the possibility that a few have also wintered on the eastern side of Back Bay, around the impoundments at Back Bay NWR and False Cape SP, but the most recent record from either of those locations was of one near the publicly accessible West Dike gate on 17 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), with no other observations since. With the impoundments closed to the public from 1 Nov-31 Mar, coverage is substantially less this time of year, though the refuge performs thrice-monthly surveys of the impoundments, but those have not turned up any Common Gallinules this winter season. During February, there was only a total of five records for this species north of Virginia, with singles Maryland, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and one extreme outlier on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula that was last reported on 1 Feb after being present at the same location since mid-October. That individual was possibly the same individual reported for months a few miles away, that mysteriously vanished just prior to the arrival at the new location, truly fascinating for such a wayward individual! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

During one of the aforementioned, thrice-monthly impoundment surveys at Back Bay NWR this month, a continuing group of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS was once again noted! A rare shorebird species this far north along the East Coast during the winter season, and scarce in general even during peak migration movements here and throughout the rest of Virginia, it was exciting to see a record for a dozen of them mixed with a group of six other Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitchers, on 5 Feb (vis. Robert Ake & Lauren Mowbray). This group was originally picked up during the Back Bay Christmas Bird Count on 29 Dec, when six Long-billed Dowitcher were reported (vis. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh), with possibly the same six continuing on 15 Jan (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Given that they’ve been observed at least once in each of the winter’s months, it’s possible that records continue into the spring, and it would be wonderful if that proves to be true, as this species is quite striking when it molts into its breeding plumage. The transition into this plumage may also aid in identification of some of the “slash” individuals, as Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers are separable with less difficulty (not with more ease, per se, as it is still quite difficult) when that switch occurs. During February, this was the only known group of Long-billed Dowitchers to be reported to eBird for the state of Virginia, though Maryland held a record, and Delaware & New Jersey each had a couple. But, there were no other records along the East Coast north of those occurrences this month. During March, observations of this group will be dependent on the volunteer surveyors as this portion of the refuge does not open to the general public until 1 Apr, and depending on where exactly they’re occurring in the impoundments and which dike opens up first, they may still not be visible without special access. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Rusty Blackbirds among a Red-winged Blackbird, aptly at Red Wing Park on 7 Feb.

Perhaps the species that will be remembered by the widest array of birders in Virginia Beach this winter season, DOVEKIE managed to produce a few more records during the first third of February, after the surge of reports we experienced in mid-to-late January likely made headlines across the state and became a new life bird for a great many birders who ventured down to the coast. Though a single individual was first record this season off 88th Street Beach on 2 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli), the excitement for most observers began with a report of five Dovekies close to shore at Back Bay NWR on 15 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), and the following day, the madness truly set in at nearby Little Island Park with many more individuals sighted, and several actively foraging within a few feet of the pier (ph. Rob Bielawski), at times even being visible swimming underwater, that’s how close they were! During February, reports continued at Little Island Park through 10 Feb, when two were reported (vis. David Clark, ph. Steve Keith), and at least one continued at Rudee Inlet through 8 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate). However, after that point in the month, Dovekie reports came to a screeching halt in Virginia Beach, and in Virginia overall, with none others known through the end of the month. While there were very few records for Dovekie between Virginia Beach and Cape Cod, Massachusetts during February, this winter season’s movement as a whole proved to be the largest we’ve ever seen in the eBird era along the East Coast. The sheer density of reports along coastal areas all the way to South Carolina is utterly remarkable given that the species is quite rare from shore in most winters once you’re south and west of Massachusetts. Typically, it requires offshore boat trips for most of the Mid-Atlantic States to pick up large volumes of records for this species, but, not this season. Whether this season will become the new normal for Dovekie, or it will always be viewed as a severe outlier remains to be seen, but as of now, we’ve had no comparable seasons for this species from shore in Virginia, which made it truly memorable for those who were able to take part in it. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

In most winter seasons here in Virginia Beach, LAUGHING GULL tends to be completely absent after about 10 Jan to around 20 Feb, but this season proved to be very different than the norm. With a great many lingering throughout January along the immediate coastline, including a staggering flock of 73 on the beach at False Cape SP as late as 22 Jan (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), we didn’t see the typical gap in records that we’ve become accustomed to in recent winter seasons. However, in early & mid-February, the species was still much scarcer than it had been in January, with notable records of one at Rudee Inlet on 5 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney), two at Little Island Park on 6 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and then a single on restricted-access JEB Fort Story on 7 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli, Karl Suttmann & Cassidy Titus). After that point, we had a very limited, eight-day window where none were reported, with the first likely “spring arrival” report occurring at Rudee Inlet on 15 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate) and another the following day slightly farther to the north (vis. Irvin Pitts). Were someone to look only at date from this season, it would be easy to think that Laughing Gull are a regular winterer here along our patch of coastline, but in looking at prior years, the species was absent between 12 Jan & 7 Feb in 2020, between 7 Jan & 15 Feb in 2019, and between 5 Jan & 24 Feb in 2018, so certainly, there is typically a window where they have moved south of our latitude. Of course, by the end of February, reports were popping up all over the city as the species expectedly streamed back northward, though there were no mentions of adult in full breeding plumage yet through month’s end. Moving forward, Laughing Gull will be expected again for the next ten or so months, but when January rolls around, it is worth keeping a keen eye out for, since it is likely that this season was an extreme outlier that we have probably taken for granted. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Immature Dark-lored race White-crowned Sparrow at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 27 Feb.

One of our first rarities during February, we excitedly logged our very first record for ICELAND GULL this winter season, when a first cycle immature was found at JEB Fort Story (restricted access) on 1 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Steve Keith)! Additionally, another, or possibly the same individual, was reported from Rudee Inlet on 15 Feb (vis. Cathy Williamson), and then photographed there later in the week on 19 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney). Over the past few winter seasons, we had pretty good fortunes with Iceland Gulls, with the striking white immatures, and even a few adults being found in Virginia Beach. So it was a bit surprising when we’d reached the end of January and still had no records here this cycle, but fortunately February put us on the board. Elsewhere in the state this month, Prince William had the only other records, with one immature at Neabsco Creek on 7 Feb (vis. Linda Chittum & Ada Jones) and an adult & immature present at the nearby county landfill on 15 Feb (ph. Linda Chittum & Ada Jones). So it seems we had at least three different individuals (maybe as many as five) known to be present in the state this month, which puts into perspective how fortunate we were to have even one (or maybe two). A few Iceland Gulls made it all the way to Florida during February, but otherwise, the most southerly East Coast records were one in northern Georgia and at least two in Dare, North Carolina. A dense distribution of records for this species really doesn’t occur until you get up to about New Jersey/New York, so records south of there would be considered exceptional in any winter season, though there is some level of expectation for a few to be found. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Our other rare, but still somewhat expected species of “white-winged gull”, GLAUCOUS GULL produced a couple of reports here during February as well. One immature had been spotted during a snowfall event at Rudee Inlet to close out last month, on 28 Jan (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), with likely this same individual being the one reported here a few days later on 4 Feb (vis. David Clark). During another high-wind morning, one was reported flying past the Little Island Park pier, on 6 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and could potentially be this same individual given these locations are just a few straight-line miles apart along the beach. In looking at recent winters, Glaucous Gull has been slightly rarer than Iceland Gull in Virginia Beach, though an immature that spend a couple of months along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel last winter provided a high number of reports to birders transiting between Virginia Beach & Northampton. During February, the only other Glaucous Gull (also an immature) to be reported in the state occurred at Cape Charles Harbor on 21 Feb (vis. Robert Ake, Ty Smith & Evan Spears). Outside Virginia, it was a bit surprising that neither Delaware or Maryland had any known individuals reported this month, though coastal North Carolina had several reports, and a few reports even occurred on the Gulf Coast of Florida. But, like Iceland Gull, one had to travel quite a bit farther to the north before winter records started to show a stronger pattern of occurrence, with New York and states east/north clearly showing a higher level of expectation for this species than in states farther south. With only a few records in states south of Virginia, it is clear why this species is highly sought after within our state, and Virginia Beach is certainly one of the most likely places for it to be found. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Flyby Bonaparte's Gull off Little Island Park on 7 Feb.

Throwing a bit of a wrench into the identification of Glaucous Gull locally, there was also a record for a hybrid HERRING X GLAUCOUS GULL in Virginia Beach this month. Known to birders as a “Nelson’s Gull” this hybrid pairing can be difficult to pick out, but fortunately, photographs taken this month did a good job of showcasing the main ID marks. First noted at Rudee Inlet on 5 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney), and then observed again on 20 Feb (ph. Baxter Beamer), one can note how the tips of the primary flight feathers are dark rather than light, as a pure Glaucous Gull will show. Other features, like the strongly demarcated, bi-colored bill, pink legs, and overall white plumage are a match with what one would expect on an immature Glaucous Gull, so to secure the ID, the primary tips are the main giveaway. Glaucous Gulls are quite rare in Virginia Beach, so clearly, a hybrid pairing of a Glaucous Gull is very rare here. During February, this was the only known individual of this pairing to occur in Virginia, and one of only about a dozen reported to eBird in Eastern North America overall. For the winter season, most records of this hybrid were around eastern Great Lakes in Ontario, with fewer scattered along the East Coast. With only four prior records for this hybrid in Virginia Beach, this is the first to be known since one was around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in 2016, with others occurring in 2014, 2012 & 1996 as far as eBird submissions go. So, while hybrids will not add a species to one’s life list, this is certainly a rare bird, and one that should be carefully studied if encountered. Knowing that this hybrid is out there, any reports for Glaucous Gull will be reviewed with a higher level of scrutiny moving forward, so be sure to get a good look at the primary tips whether your bird is standing on land, sitting on the water, or zooming past you in the air. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

A significant outlier during February, Virginia Beach boasted the most northerly known occurrence for ROYAL TERN for the month, when one was photographed roosting on the beach north of the Little Island Park pier on 6 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Cindy Hamilton). During February, records expectedly occurred from Dare, North Carolina and southward, but for individuals to be found at Virginia’s latitude so deep into the winter season, it is quite remarkable. In looking at the photograph provided though, it seems this individual may have something wrong with one of its wings, which might help to explain why it was present here and had not yet moved farther to the south. For the winter season overall, records did extend up to the southwestern corner of Long Island, New York, but by January, the most northerly records were limited to Virginia Beach. We tend to see this species through the end of December, where it is picked up on the Little Creek CBC in some/most years, but when January hits, records are typically absent until the species begins to move back north through the area around mid-March. During January, we had records for individuals that occurred at Rudee Inlet on 5 Jan (ph. Baxter Beamer & Martina Nordstrand), 55th Street Beach on 6 Jan (ph. June McDaniels), and then what could potentially have been our February individual at Little Island Park on 18 Jan (vis. James Fox & Gabriel Ricketts). So, this was an exceptional mid-to-late winter season for the species to occur this far north, though, there is some potential for all these records to refer to the same individual, it is also possible we had a couple different lingerers in January at least. With the weather beginning to warm up by month’s end though, it will not be too long before healthy individuals of this species begin to pour northward, and within the next couple of weeks we are likely to start seeing reports along Virginia Beach’s coastline! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

White-throated Sparrow at private residence on 7 Feb.

Potentially the same individual first reported from Little Island Park during the afternoon hours of 16 Jan (ph. Nick Newberry), we saw several reports for a PACIFIC LOON this month after a several week-long hiatus. First spotted from the pier on 10 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli, David Clark, Steve Keith & Reuben Rohn), this individual continue to be seen through 15 Feb (vis. Chris Farabaugh). A very rare winter visitor along the East Coast, it is quite exceptional that two months in a row we have been fortunate enough to boast reports for this species in Virginia Beach. A species that is not annually reported in Virginia Beach, Pacific Loon tends to garner statewide interest, and thanks in part to the explosion of Dovekie records at Little Island Park over the prior month, there was lots of eyes searching this patch of coastline. Interestingly, this species was missed altogether in 2019 and in 2020 in the state, with the last prior record also hailing from Virginia Beach, with one present on the north pond of Sherwood Lakes from 30 Oct-28 Nov 2018 (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Tracy Tate). During February, there was only five other locations east of the Mississippi River to yield records for Pacific Loon, with individuals present in Mississippi & Tennessee, and counts of two elsewhere in Tennessee, and in North Carolina & Massachusetts, making for at least nine total individuals known in the East. With one other individual during January in Poquoson, Virginia has undoubtedly had a successful start to the calendar year with regards to this species. With continued effort put forth by vigilant eyes along the coast, it’s quite possible that we could see reports into March as well, and while there are likely to be many thousands of Red-throated & Common Loon in motion soon, they’re certainly all worth scrutinizing for this rarity. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Very local to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and associated islands, GREAT CORMORANT tends to be a very difficult species to observed from mainland Virginia Beach even during the winter season when it is certainly present here. This month, we had just a single sight report of one individual from 85th Street Beach on 8 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate). Noted as an adult, this time of year the species is entering its breeding plumage, which makes Great Cormorant a bit easier to pick out among the hordes of the significantly more abundant Double-crested Cormorants that flock to our coastline. Last month, a few were reported from the beach at First Landing SP, and similarly, the beaches of the North End and at Fort Story tend to be the most reliable places to be able to catch an individual in transit to or from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Each winter, we also tend to have individuals reported from the base of the bridge near Guy Avenue, or from Little Creek Inlet where public views are only possible from the Norfolk side, but individuals are often seen flying through Virginia Beach airspace. With construction continuing at the first and second islands of the bridge-tunnel complex, there is unfortunately nowhere to stop to see the birds out in the bay, but occasionally they can be picked up by passengers in vehicles travelling along the bridge span. This month, there were very few reports for this species farther south than Virginia Beach, with just a couple of individuals reported in Dare, Onslow & New Hanover, North Carolina. A significant outlier this month occurred on the St. Lawrence River from New York, but all other reports in Eastern North America during February were more coastal. Heading into March, this is certainly a species to keep an eye out for, and its sleek, greenish black plumage with strong white facial marking & hip patch tend to stand out even at extreme distance. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Northern Gannet flyby of the Little Island Park's pier on 7 Feb.

Rarely reported during the winter season away from strongholds like Chincoteague NWR and Eastern Shore NWR in Accomack & Northampton, respectively, we were fortunate to host a lovely TRICOLORED HERON this month at Back Bay NWR, beginning on 10 Feb (ph. Steve Keith & Reuben Rohn) and continuing through month’s end. This individual persisted around the small, freshwater pond at the western end of the Raptor Trail (formerly the Bay Trail, and still identified as such on some online maps). Potentially a separate individual, one was also present farther south in the refuge near the False Cape SP border on 16 Feb (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Of course, this isn’t too great a distance for a Tricolored Heron to traverse, but given the 10 Feb individual’s reliability in being present at the west end of the Raptor Trail, it's at least possible that the other report is of a different individual. In any case, it’s quite exciting for us to be able to see this species here during the winter season, as there hadn’t been a single report for Tricolored Heron since one was at Pleasure House Point NA on 16 Nov (ph. June McDaniels), with that individual even being quite late to still be lingering in the city. During the 2019-20 winter season, Back Bay did provide a single record on 26 Jan, and one was present for a day during the 2018-19 season on 2 Dec, but in most winter seasons we have not been as fortunate. This month, there was no reports for this species elsewhere in the state except at Chincoteague NWR. Outside Virginia, reports for wintering individual extended as far north as Ocean, New Jersey, with perhaps only a couple of individuals in total occurring north of Virginia’s coastline. Given that reports continued through month’s end, it is likely that this individual will persist at Back Bay NWR into March, and we are right about a month away from the typical spring arrival date for northbound individuals. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Making for the most northerly record in Eastern North America this month, a single CATTLE EGRET was photographed in a flooded impoundment at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels)! In most winter seasons, Virginia Beach tends to be the most northern extreme for where this species can successfully spend the season, but records have been quite scarce here since December, with only a small group noted on the Back Bay Christmas Bird Count, and likely the same flock, though less in number, present around Charity Neck Road in January. Like the Tricolored Heron discussed above, we are right about a month away from when northbound individuals and flocks will start passing through the city again, so it will be interesting to see if we have any farther observations of true winterers before that occurs. While there were no other reports for this species elsewhere in the state this month, coastal North Carolina did produce quite a few records, but really, dense pockets of reports did not extend northeast of Florida, Georgia & South Carolina during February. With increased attention on agricultural lands in the southern portion of Virginia Beach, it is likely that we would see a few more reports of this species each winter, but, in colder winters, Cattle Egret does tend to move farther south, and successful wintering is not an every-season occurrence at Virginia Beach’s latitude. It is interesting that this February individual was found foraging with a Snowy Egret (also early for this location) out in the water, rather than working a dry field like the species is most often observed doing. With ample agricultural habitat on the western side of Back Bay for foraging, it is curious why this individual ended up on a flooded impoundment. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Common Loons beginning to transition into breeding colors at Little Island Park on 27 Feb.

Clearly an exceptional month for non-passerine species in Virginia Beach, we did manage quite a few passerine highlights in February as well. Continuing since December, the resident group of three SNOW BUNTINGS continued to be observed on the beach at First Landing SP this month, though the count dwindled to a single individual as of the latest report on 23 Feb (vis. Steve Keith). Typically found near the small tidal/rainwater pools on the beach near the Fort Story boundary fence, a great many birders, both local and visiting, descended on this area to search for the species throughout the last couple of months. First reported on 4 Dec (ph. June McDaniels), this flock accounted for almost all the Snow Bunting reports in eBird for the state this winter. In fact, the only other county in Virginia to have a documented record for this species this season was Frederick, with a single individual present 19-20 Feb (ph. Gabriel Ricketts) very close to the West Virginia border. Surprisingly, there were not any records for the species in Northampton, Accomack, or in Hampton where they have been somewhat reliable in recent winter seasons. Interestingly, the First Landing SP flock was the most southerly occurrence for the species this winter season, with no other accepted reports in eBird farther south, and the nearest coastal reports occurring up in Worcester, Maryland. During February specifically, the nearest coastal record was all the way up in Sussex, Delaware, so clearly, the group at First Landing SP made for quite a geographic outlier this month. Given the lack of reports in the last few days of the month and knowing that Snow Buntings tend to depart quite early, it feels a bit unlikely that we will see further records extending into March, but it could happen. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

A rare winterer in Eastern North America, we continued to see reports for the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond this month through 16 Feb (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris). Though Virginia Beach has had a couple of other Clay-colored Sparrows reported in past winters, they have always been single sighting records, like one on Pocahontas Club Road on 18 Jan 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and one at Virginia Beach National Golf Club on 25 Jan 2020 (ph. Andrew Baldelli). What makes the Harris Teeter individual exciting, is that it has continued in a relatively small area for an extended period of time, and this individual, originally found at this location on 30 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski), has accounted for about two dozen reports over the past couple of months. Since we have not tracked any prior Clay-colored Sparrows through the entirety of the winter season, we are not sure when this individual might decide to move on, so any chance one gets to try and follow up on the bird is worth taking. Though there was only the one record for the second half of February, it is still quite possible that this Clay-colored Sparrow is still lingering at this location, and fortunately, with this being the most reliable spot in the city to view White-crowned Sparrows this season, birder coverage of the area is likely to continue. During February, there was only one other record for this species in the state, barely across the Virginia Beach border into Chesapeake, when a surprise pair popped up at a private residence off Blackwater Road on 4 Feb (ph. Karen & Keith Roberts). Interestingly, that residence has also hosted a Rufous Hummingbird, an Indigo Bunting, and a Painted Bunting this winter. Outside Virginia, there was only nine other known occurrences for this species north of Florida in February, with singles North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Prince Edward Island, as well as two in Georgia and Nova Scotia. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Northbound Red-breasted Mergansers at Little Island Park on 13 Feb.

In addition to the Clay-colored Sparrow, we had a high volume of reports for the WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS also inhabiting the vegetated fence lines of the Harris Teeter Retention Pond this month! This group has had quite a storied history since the first individual was observed back on 14 Oct (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). At January’s end, we were aware of at least five different individuals residing at this location, with an adult GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW found on 19 Nov (ph. Steve Myers), an immature Gambel’s found on 6 Dec (ph. & v.r. Rob Bielawski), then a pair of Dark-lored race immatures being observed in simultaneous view on 3 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), and lastly, a Dark-lored race adult was found on 17 Jan (ph. Ty Smith & Evan Spears). In February, a sixth individual was found to be present when a group of three adults were all in view simultaneously on 26 Feb (vis. Rob Bielawski). At the close of the month, it is unknown whether this third adult is of the Gambel’s or Dark-lored race, so currently all we can say is there is one of each type, and one unknown present. But we do know there are at least three immatures, and three adults, two of which are of the rarer, Gambel’s type for certain. Away from Harris Teeter, there was only one other report for this species in Virginia Beach during February, with a sight report from Cayman Lane on 18 Feb (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). With only one reported in Northampton this month, the nearest other Virginia records were all closer to the fall line outside Richmond, which means wintering individuals of this species are quite rare throughout the state’s coastal plain. With only eight other locations east of the Mississippi River yielding records for Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow this month, the immature & adult wintering here were once again the only known to be in Virginia, with the closest record occurring in Ohio. (Species-level: Feb 2021 Map of Records | Gambel’s race: Feb 2021 Map of Records)

In what has proven to be a strong winter season for YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT in southeastern Virginia, we had continuing records in February for two of the three known individuals that were observed here last month. Like the sparrows mentioned above, the first Yellow-breasted Chat has also spent the winter at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond, after being found on 11 Dec (vis. Mike Collins) it has persisted at this site through at least 21 Feb (vis. Lisa Rose). The second individual that made it into February was one that wintered near the visitor center at Back Bay NWR, first reported on 2 Jan (ph. Greg Hudson), and then last observed on 1 Feb (ph. Tracy Tate) in the same area. The individual that was observed in January along Munden Road between the Beasley/Whitehurst Tracts (ph. Steve Keith) was unfortunately not observed again, but is likely to still be in the area, given one successfully wintered at this location last winter. All three of these locations feature abundant, dense vegetation, and access to fresh water ditches or rainwater pools, so any other areas of the city that meet those same criteria could possibly hold this species through winter. During February, there was only one other record in Virginia for this species, with a continuing individual in Larchmont, Norfolk at the residence that also hosted the state’s first Buff-bellied Hummingbird in Dec/Jan. A pair of locations in Chesapeake that yielded individuals during January did not boast any further records. With around 15 or so other records in Eastern North America this month, north of Florida (all coastal), it is clear just how rare a winterer this species is this far north. But, if one could survive through the entire month in Newfoundland, as one did on the Avalon Peninsula in February, it goes to show just how hardy a species this is. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

White Ibis foraging in the fields off Landing Road on 13 Feb.

Providing the first report for the species since 2018 in Virginia Beach, a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was twice reported near Pungo this month, with the initial sighting near the Napa Auto Parts store along Princess Anne Road on 2 Feb (vis. David Clark), and another visual not far away, along Charity Neck Road the following day (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). Extremely rare in Virginia, though with a slight level of expectation from fall to spring along the coast, this individual was observed among a massive flock of mixed blackbird species, as they typically are found among in the East. This flock moved around the central/southern portion of the city at will and made it extremely difficult for birders to try and track. For a few days, the flock seemed to roost in the fields off Princess Anne Lane, but with corn stubble blocking views of most of the birds it was near impossible to pick through them all in the hopes of spotting something yellow. With no other records for this species in the state this month, and only about a dozen known individuals occurring east of the Mississippi River, we were very fortunate to see these reports. While there have been several reports of flyover individuals in the past decade in Virginia Beach, we have not had a truly chaseable individual, and this species has managed to evade photographers since 2010 when one was captured by images at Pleasure House Point NA. Unfortunately, by month’s end the massive flock had mostly dispersed, leaving behind only smaller, fragmented portions in the agricultural areas south of Pungo, but perhaps with some luck, there is at least some chance this bird will pop up again.  (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

For a third month in a row, Virginia Beach was fortunate enough to see reports for BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, with an adult male photographed at a private residence near Lake Smith on 15 Feb (ph. Bob Zabot) and continuing to be reported there through 27 Feb. Initially found at this residence in early January, this record briefly overlapped with another Bullock’s Oriole, an immature male, that was present in South Shore Estates from 27 Dec-4 Jan (vis. James Marcum) and highlighted in the prior two entries to this Journal. The mere fact that there was not one, but two Bullock’s Orioles present in the city this winter season is truly remarkable. The Lake Smith individual has certainly been the longer-staying of the two, and with a report so close to the end of the month, it seems possible, or even likely that March could continue to produce reports. This adult male could pop up at any grape jelly feeders in the area around Lake Smith, and it likely has visited other locations given that it has not been an every-day visitor to the Zabot residence. So, if you are one of the many birders in Virginia Beach who is hosting Baltimore Orioles this winter season in your yard, make sure to keep careful watch on these groups, as a Bullock’s could easily merge into one of these flocks. During February, there were no other reports for this species in the state, and only about twenty other records in Eastern North America overall. The nearest record to us was another adult male found in Carteret, North Carolina on 3 Feb, and then individuals outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Seaside Sparrow among the vegetation of Pleasure House Point NA on 28 Feb.

Very scarce throughout the coastal counties of Virginia, even in their expected fall through spring window, a flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS found at Red Wing Park on 3 Feb (ph. Steve Myers) provided birders in the city with the first chasable flock in many years. Counts of this flock varied, but the peak count of 37 was detected on 13 Feb, with a close count of 36 also occurring on 7 Feb. Mixed in with a group of Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds, this flock was observed along the perimeter tree lines of the park through at least 27 Feb. Interestingly, we had two other individuals detected elsewhere in the city this month as well, with one at Munden Point Park on 13 Feb (ph. Steve Myers), and another at Red Mill Farms Park the following day (ph. Elizabeth Lyons). With no records occurring in February in either of the Eastern Shore counties, the Virginia Beach records were the only documented occurrences along east of the Great Dismal Swamp, where wintering flocks are expected. Always a species of interest, Rusty Blackbird’s population has plummeted in recent decades as a whole, so seeing this wave of local records is exciting, and perhaps a positive indicator for the species. Though, it could also be that harsher weather in the interior of Virginia may have driven these birds to the coastline, but whatever the reason, we were all happy to have an opportunity to view them. Certainly, parks like Red Wing, or West Neck Creek NA, or Stumpy Lake NA possess the proper habitat to hold individuals or flocks during the winter season, but we have not had much luck in recent years at actually finding this species for whatever reason. Hopefully, Red Wing Park will continue to see birders checking on the status of this flock into March, just to give us a better feel for when they start departing the region and heading northward. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Continuing for the third straight month at Breeze Farms off Gibbs Road, a group of BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS was reported just a single time this month, on 10 Feb (vis. David Clark). First detected at this location on 4 Dec (ph. Steve Myers) this is the fifth winter season in a row that the species has been present at this private farm in the Blackwater portion of southern Virginia Beach. Last season, the flock persisted here until 15 Mar, so there is a good chance that we could see additional reports next month. In January, Brewer’s Blackbird tends to be highly sought after by birders who are starting out their new calendar year lists, and so we do see more reports in that month than we do in February or March, not because the species isn’t present, but due to less and less birders spending time looking for it as the season tracks onward. However, it is still worth following, just to see where the true departure dates land for this species. During February, this flock made for the only known occurrence of the species in the state, and the only record farther up to the East Coast states occurred in Baltimore, Maryland this month. With reports coming to a screeching halt at about midway through Kentucky and Tennessee, and only scattered reports in the from South Carolina and farther south, it is clear the species “shouldn’t” be found in numbers so far away from there core wintering range, but as always, we are happy to have them! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Snowy Egret stalking the shallows of Pleasure House Point NA on 26 Feb.

The strong showing of wintering BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS continued across southeast Virginia this month, with at least five individuals known to be present in Virginia Beach specifically. Four of the five had been observed earlier in the winter season (or in late fall) and have now made it through the entire winter season, but the most interesting record for this month was that of a female found at Birchwood Malibu Park on 27 Feb (ph. Lisa Rose), given the species hadn’t been seen at this location over the past several months. A vibrant male was present in the campground area of First Landing SP on 26 Feb (ph. Caitlyn Kufahl, Carolyn Morgan & Sarah O’Reilly) and again on 28 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski), likely the same individual first noted at this location 24 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer) and observed again during the Little Creek Christmas Bird Count on 31 Dec (vis. Adam D’Onofrio). Elsewhere in the city, a female first noted at Stumpy Lake NA on 22 Nov (ph. Lisa Rose) likely wintered there, as reports from the natural area continued through 11 Feb (ph. Steve Keith). Another female that has been visiting a private residence’s feeders since 13 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) continued through the same date of 11 Feb, and a male first detected at Lake Lawson and Lake Smith NA on 2 Dec (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith) continued there through at least 4 Feb (vis. Cassidy Titus). Elsewhere in the state, Norfolk had a pair of records, Chesapeake had one, as did Hopewell, Richmond (city) and Alexandria. However, the species was exceptionally rare north of Virginia in February, with only three such individuals accounted for, with one each in Pennsylvania, New Brunswick, and one remarkable outlier in Newfoundland for which records ceased after 10 Feb, though it was reported daily up to that point. We are about a month away from the expected spring arrival date for non-wintering individuals in Virginia Beach, so for the next several weeks it will be fun to continue to track these individuals that have survived the winter season here. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Outside of the five expected wintering warblers, and the Black-and-white Warblers just discussed, there was only one other species known to be present in Virginia Beach this month, that being the vibrant YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER! Almost more reliable as a winterer here than in any other season at this point (aside from spring migration perhaps), we had one continuing individual that persisted at a private residence in Bellamy Manor through 26 Feb (ph. Una Davenhill), after first being reported here back on 12 Oct! As was the case in the prior two winter seasons, this individual appears poised to successfully complete the entirety of the season in this residential yard, and perhaps is about to complete its fourth winter season, as a whole in the neighborhood, with reports from other residences known as well in the 2017-18 winter season. Also host to a Townsend Warbler a couple of months ago, this yard has certainly been no stranger to rarities, with a surprise Lark Sparrow visiting briefly at the very end of 2019 as well! It just goes to show what is possible in coastal county like Virginia Beach, where it truly feels like anything can happen. Elsewhere in Virginia, there was single reports for other Yellow-throated Warbler in Chesapeake, James City and Fairfax, so only four individuals were known to occur this month in the state. Only about ten records occurred north of Virginia’s latitude this month, with the most northeasterly records in Nova Scotia and two surprising, inland records hailing from LaGrange, Indiana and Benzie, Michigan. With an expected spring arrival date of 20 Mar throughout Virginia’s coastal plain, we will likely see a resurgence in records away from the Bellamy Manor individual by the end of March, with Stumpy Lake NA as the most likely location to yield the species based on past records. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

Male Common Yellowthroat at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 14 Feb.

Seemingly increasing across the city during the winter season in recent years, we saw a significant number of reports for PAINTED BUNTING this month in Virginia Beach, mostly in the central portion of the city and within a few miles of Oceana NAS. At least nine individuals were recorded to eBird this month, and there is a likelihood that quite a few others have been present in the city and simply not reported. Reports from locations for the first time this season included a very surprising, 3-count of female/immatures present near the Oceanfront Resort Area on 8 Feb (ph. Taryn Paul), another female/immature visiting a feeder in Kempsville on 12 Feb (ph. Teresa Conlon) that had not been viewed yet this season but was present in past winters at this location, an adult male at a private residence in Chimney Hill on 22 Feb (ph. Jen Klotz), and another adult male at a private residence somewhere near Red Wing Park from 13-27 Feb (ph. Tamera Crouch). Continuing individuals present earlier in the season that were logged again in February include a female/immature at a private residence in Oak Springs on 10 Feb that had been present since 11 Dec (ph. Carolyn Page), another at a Kempsville private residence found 27 Dec and present through 19 Feb (ph. Betty Sue Cohen), and one final female/immature at a Laurel Manor residence 5 Oct through 28 Feb (vis. Tommy Maloney). Peculiar in its winter distribution, given that the species does not spend the summer season north of here along the East Coast, there was about fifteen other records for Painted Bunting in states north of Virginia, and about ten others elsewhere in the state this month. For a species that used to be considered exceptionally rare in the state, clearly either numbers have increased here in recent winters, or perhaps more individuals hosting these birds are simply tied into the birding/eBirding community where the records are becoming better known. In any case, the number of reports seems to rise each winter here, though as the weather warms, we will have to see how many are still observed through March. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

As mentioned, the end of February tends to be the beginning of the Spring migration season. Species that had their first-of-season reports during February included:

  • Laughing Gull – First Observed: 1, Rudee Inlet, 15 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate); First Photographed: 3, Rudee Inlet, 1 Mar (ph. Steve Keith). [Note: Records for this species occurred through the winter season along the coast of Virginia Beach, but a small gap in records during early to mid-February indicates these are likely the first true spring arrivals.].

  • Osprey – First Observed: 1, Signature at West Neck, 22 Feb (vis. Pamela Monahan); First Photographed: 1, Sherwood Lakes, 26 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). [Note: While this species is expected around Lynnhaven Inlet and the nearby tidal tributaries feeding the Chesapeake Bay, these are the first northbound individuals noted away from the known wintering grounds in the city, indicating that individuals who wintered south of here are now moving back north.].

  • Blue-winged Teal – First Observed & Photographed: 2 (1 drake & 1 hen), Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract, 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels). [Note: Records for this species occurred through the winter season at Back Bay NWR and False Cape SP, but this is the first city record to occur where this species was not recorded since the fall migration season.].

Immature Red-shouldered Hawk at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 27 Feb.

Of course, plenty of other interesting occurrences were input to eBird from around the city this month, and the following is a listing of those, along with some miscellaneous notes:

  • There was only one known Sedge Wren reported this month from a publicly-accessible portion of the city, with an individual wintering near the West Dike entrance gate at Back Bay NWR observed on 6 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli) and again on 26 Feb (vis. Rob Bielawski).

  • A more regular winter resident farther inland, the only Canvasbacks reported in the three coastal Virginia counties this month was the continuing group at Oliver’s Pond first noted 16 Jan (vis. Tracy Tate) and most recently reported 27 Feb.

  • An American Coot was observed off the beach at First Landing SP while it foraged among the pound stakes on the Chesapeake Bay on 25 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate), making for an unusual record for this species on open salt water.

  • The only Snowy Egret reported away from the known wintering populations around Lynnhaven Inlet, an individual was noted at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 28 Feb (vis. June McDaniels) in the company of an out-of-season Cattle Egret.

  • With no records in February, Ruddy Turnstone was not observed a single time this winter season in Virginia Beach, making for a staggering gap in records for this species along the East Coast. So long as there is no public access to the first and second islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, this once commonly reported species is likely to continue to be absent from our checklists during future winter seasons. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)

  • As of the month’s end, a total of 1,403 photographs & audio records were submitted to eBird for Virginia Beach for February. All of these images & audio recordings can be viewed by visiting this page over at eBird.

  • Top Virginia Beach Hotspots for February, by Number of Species: 1. Back Bay NWR (113), 2. Little Island Park (75), 3. Pleasure House Point NA (74), 4. Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) (65), 5. First Landing SP Campground/Beach (64), 6. Stumpy Lake NA (63), 7. Red Wing Park (61), 8. Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract (59), Tie-9. Harris Teeter Retention Pond (58), Tie-9. Rudee Inlet (58).

  • Top Virginia Beach Hotspots for 2021 to date, by Number of Species: 1. Back Bay NWR (129), 2. Little Island Park (100), 3. Pleasure House Point NA (97), 4. First Landing SP Campground/Beach (82), 5. Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) (78), Tie-6. Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract (74), Tie-6. Stumpy Lake NA (74), Tie-8. Harris Teeter Retention Pond (73), Tie-8. Rudee Inlet (73), 10. False Cape SP (68).

Male Red-eyed race Eastern Towhee at First Landing SP on 28 Feb.

Lastly, as we look forward to March, the following species all have expected spring arrival dates during the month and should be looked for. If encountering any of these species for the first time this season, please be sure to document to the best of your ability, as these expected arrival dates are dependent on that documentation in eBird:

Unstable skies over Back Bay NWR's Raptor Trail on 26 Feb.

Hopefully over the course of the next thirty-one 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 March! 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.

January 2021

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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!

Dovekie off the Little Island Park pier on 16 Jan.

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)

Immature White-crowned Sparrow (Dark-lored race) at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 3 Jan.

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)

Immature male Bullock's Oriole at a private residence in South Shore Estates on 1 Jan.

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)

Male Brewer's Blackbirds (center and right) mixed with a Common Grackle (top left) and Brown-headed Cowbird (bottom middle) at Breeze Farms on 24 Jan.

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)

Yellow-breasted Chat at Harris Teeter Retetention Pond on 2 Jan.

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)

Clay-colored Sparrow at Harris Teeter Retetention Pond on 30 Jan.

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)

Light morph Parasitic Jaeger off the Little Island Park pier on 16 Jan.

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)

Laughing Gull in flight past a Ring-billed Gull on the beach at First Landing SP on 17 Jan.

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)

Immature and adult White-crowned Sparrow (Gambel's race) at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 30 Jan.

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)

Long-tailed Duck at Rudee Inlet on 3 Jan.

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)

Fox Sparrow (Red race) at Stumpy Lake NA on 30 Jan.

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)

Northern Harrier flyover at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 17 Jan.

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)

Drake Bufflehead off the beach at First Landing SP on 17 Jan.

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)

Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 23 Jan.

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)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Princess Anne WMA Headquarters on 24 Jan.

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)

Greater Yellowlegs at Pleasure House Point NA on 30 Jan.

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)

Carolina Chickadee at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 17 Jan.

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)

Forster's Tern off the Little Island Park pier on 16 Jan.

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)

Hen & drake Wood Ducks in flight over Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 17 Jan.

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)

Adult (back) and first cycle Ring-billed Gull on the beach at First Landing SP on 17 Jan.

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)

Brown Pelican fleeing from a freshwater pond off Casanova Drive during snowfall on 31 Jan.

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)

Great Blue Heron along Casanova Drive during snowfall on 31 Jan.

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).

Sunrise & the remnants of snow along Pleasure House Creek on 30 Jan.

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.