Virginia Birds. Volume 8, Number 3 Winter Records December 2011 February 2012 New VARCOM Website page 14

Transcription

1 Virginia Birds A Quarterly Journal of Ornithological Sightings in the Commonwealth Published by the Virginia Society of Ornithology Volume 8, Number 3 Winter Records December 2011 February 2012 New VARCOM Website page 14

2 Editors' Notes Most regions reported milder than normal weather throughout the winter period resulting in higher counts of passerines such as Gray Catbird, Hermit Thrush, wrens, and warblers as well as lingering out of season birds such as Great Egret, Royal Tern, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers but at the same time causing winter finches, other interruptive species, and waterfowl to be scarce. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher were noted on several Christmas Bird Counts and furnished first winter records for some areas. In the Southeast Region warblers provided excitement for Christmas Bird Counters with a Nashville Warbler recorded for only the second time and a Black-throated Blue Warbler a first for the count. A Yellow-breasted Chat in January was also an usual find. In the East Region birders were particularly on the lookout for American Woodcocks, which they expected to be present in large numbers. This proved to be the case for the Walkerton s CBC, which tallied the highest woodcock count in the county. Selasphorus hummingbirds put in appearances in several regions. Perhaps more unusual in winter were two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the James City, the first confirmed winter Ruby-throateds for the area Good birding, Alan and Linda On the Cover: This Hatch year female Rufous Hummingbird in Dinwiddie was positively identified by banding. Photograph by Adam D Onofrio Publisher Virginia Society of Ornithology Printed on recycled paper Editors Linda Fields Alan Schreck vsoeditors@comcast.net Regional Editors Fred Atwood Lenny Bankester Adam D Onofrio Wendy Ealding Clyde Kessler Lynda Mayhorn Roger Mayhorn C. Michael Stinson Bill Williams Terms and Abbreviations Species name in bold first time mentioned (RARITIES bold and all caps) County names are in italics Abbreviations: ad. (ads.) adult(s) BBS breeding bird survey CBC Christmas Bird Count Cr. Creek et al. and others fide vouched by FOS First of Season Ft. Fort Hwy. Highway I. Island(s), Isle(s) imm. (imms.) immature(s) Jct. Junction juv. (juvs.) juvenile(s) L. Lake MAPS Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship m.ob. many/multiple observers Mt. Mountain, Mount NWR National Wildlife Refuge ph. photographed (by + initials) Pt. Point R. River Res. Reservoir Rte. Route SF State Forest SP State Park VARCOM Virginia Avian Records Committee VDGIF Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries VSO Virginia Society of Ornithology v.t. video taped (by + initials) WMA Wildlife Management Area VARCOM Review List Bird written details submitted * specimen collected Submissions Send reports and photographs to the Regional Editors. Photographs should be the highest electronic quality possible. Send with release form, which can be found on the VSO web site: www. virginiabirds.net Articles for consideration can be sent to vsoeditors@comcast.net Page 2 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

3 Season Summer (Jun Jul) Fall (Aug Nov) Winter (Dec Feb) Spring (Mar May) Reports Due to Regional Editors 15 Aug 15 Dec 15 Mar 15 Jun Virginia Birds Regions Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 3

4 North Winter Reporting Period December 2011 February 2012 Editor Lenny Bankester 5615 Chase Court Alexandria, VA Arlington, Culpepper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Prince William, Rappahannock, and Stafford Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church Manassas and Manassas Park. NORTH Lenny Bankester, 5615 Chase Court, Alexandria, VA The season was notably warmer than usual. December temperatures at Dulles International Airport, near the center of the Region, were 4.8 warmer than normal with an inch and a half of precipitation over the average. The season continued in this pattern, with February being 4.7 warmer than usual, though precipitation declined to half an inch below what we would normally see for the month. Birders reported 135 species for the season. Abbreviations: Huntley (Huntley Meadows Park); Mason Neck (Mason Neck SP); Occoquan (Occoquan Bay NWR). SWANS NIGHT-HERONS The fishing pond at Sky Meadows SP was host to 2 Trumpeter Swans 13 Feb (SB). Two Greater Whitefronted Geese were seen along Harrison Road, Fairfax 24 Feb (TD). Snow Geese were found throughout the winter, with a high count of Dec (AD) being noteworthy for the Piedmont, if well below the thousands commonly seen on the coast. Also on the same date at that location, Canada Geese demonstrated their continued robust presence in the Region with a seasonal high count of 1800 (TD). Wood Ducks were common at Daingerfield Island this winter, though no record-breaking counts were reported: 17 individuals 30 Dec (SC) and 20 individuals 22 Jan (EM). American Black Ducks were found in the hundreds along the Potomac River, the highest count reported being Jan (SB). Virginia s three mergansers were spotted with regularity. There were 2 Red-breasted Mergansers (RM) at Algonkian Park, Loudoun 21 Jan and healthy high counts of 150 Common Mergansers in Ashburn, Loudoun 21 Jan (RM) and 100 Hooded Mergansers on Possum Point Road, Prince William (LC). Red-throated Loons turned up a couple of times during the season at Mason Neck, Fairfax 4 Dec (LC) and Occoquan, Prince William 20 Feb (PS). Two grebe species were reported: 21 Pied-billeds (RM) on Teddy Roosevelt Island and 6 Horneds at Mason Neck 3 Dec (NVBC). A single American Bittern was found at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax 4 Dec, (HG). Great-blue Herons were abundant at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Fairfax 12 Feb as 55 were seen that day (FA). A single Black-crowned Night-Heron at Woodbridge Veterans Memorial Park, Prince William 8 Dec was the only report of the species (BW). EAGLES CROWS Bald Eagles were commonly found during the first half of the winter, with 28 being the seasonal high count from Huntsman Lake, Fairfax 19 Jan (LM). The Northern Harrier high count was 15 on Chapel Lane, Loudoun 28 Jan (GK). Hawk reports were scattered throughout the season and Region, without any notably large high counts. The high counts that were reported for accipiters and buteos were: 2 Sharpshinned at Lake Accotink, Fairfax 30 Dec, (NH), 3 Cooper s at Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington 17 Dec (EM), 15 Red-shouldereds in Loudoun 11 Dec (JC), and 9 Redtaileds at The Plains Christmas Bird Count in Fauquier 18 Dec (DC). Three American Kestrels were seen in the Lorton area of Fairfax on New Year s Day (DB). There were two separate reports of Merlins at Page 4 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

5 Hunting Creek, Alexandria 28 Jan (EM) and Dyke Marsh, Fairfax 17 Dec (GH). The Rallidae family was unevenly represented by high counts of 3 Soras at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax 9 Jan (HG) and 3000 American Coots farther down the Potomac at Ft. Belvoir, Fairfax 22 Jan (RM). With most of the Scolopacids already down south, the family was represented by 12 Wilson s Snipe on Tail Race Road, Loudoun 15 Jan and 9 resident American Woodcocks at Occoquan, Prince William 8 Jan (LC). Interesting gull sightings included two individual reports of Lesser Black-backed Gulls at the Belle Haven Picnic Area in Fairfax 14 Jan (MO) and at the Prince William County Landfill 7 Jan (PP). There were also a couple of Glaucous Gull reports 14 Feb at Pohick Bay Regional Park, Fairfax (GG) and 26 Feb at Occoquan, Prince William (MM). Great Black-backed Gulls were the most numerous of the uncommon gulls; 40 were seen at Mason Neck (LC). There were just a handful of owl reports. Three Eastern Screech- Owls were at Leesylvania State Park, Prince William 1 Jan (DL). New Year s Day reports of Great Horned Owls were from near Belmont Bay, Fairfax (BJ) and at Occoquan, Prince William (PK). Two Barred Owls were at Barcroft, 9 Dec (EM). Belted Kingfishers were seen frequently in low numbers, with the high count of four coming from the reliable kingfisher habitat at Occoquan, Prince William 25 Jan (RM). Stand-out woodpecker high counts were two separate reports of individual Red-headeds at Jefferson Park, Alexandria 8 Feb (TW) and Lubber Run, Arlington 19 Feb (AW); 30 Red-bellieds at Gunston Hall, Fairfax (LC); and 12 Pileateds during the Christmas Bird Count in Loudoun 18 Dec. American Crows were widespread, as usual, with the high count being 4000 at Lake Cook on Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria 3 Dec (AB). The Fish Crow high count was 1360 at the Belle Haven Picnic Area, Fairfax 4 Dec. WRENS BLACKBIRDS The high count for Winter Wrens was eight during the Christmas Bird Count in Loudoun 18 Dec (SB). Seven Golden-crowned Kinglets were at Woodbury Forest in Madison 21 Feb (TJ). Virginia s three resident Turdidae members were represented by predictably varied high counts: 36 Eastern Bluebirds in Loudoun 2 Jan (GH), 7 Hermit Thrushes at Leesylvania State Park, Prince William 1 Jan (DL), and 1100 American Robins in Fairfax 1 Jan (BJ). Two warbler species were reported: two sightings of Orange-crowned at the Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria 17 Dec (LM) and on Possum Point Road, Prince William 10 Feb (EM), and 8 Yellow-rumpeds in Culpeper 5 Jan (KH). Fifty Northern Cardinals at Occoquan 1 Jan (PK) was the high count for the species. Five American Tree Sparrows were found at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax 18 Feb (BJ). A Clay-colored Sparrow was an uncommon find in Loudoun 2 Jan (EM). Field Sparrows were fairly numerous in Fairfax with similar high counts of 24 at the Elklick Woods Natural Area Preserve 17 Dec (SB) and 25 near Brentwood Academy 3 Jan (BL). The less-common Savannah Sparrow registered a seasonal high count of 15 in Culpeper 5 Jan (KH). White-throated Sparrows, which generally vie with Song Sparrows as the most-common winter sparrow had a correspondingly high count of 232 observed on the Dogue/ Barnyard loop at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax 1 Jan (SS). Song Sparrows, by comparison, had a fairly-standard high count of 100 at Occoquan, Prince William 1 Jan (PK). Whitecrowned Sparrows were far less numerous and had a high count of 33 during the Nokesville CBC in Fauquier 26 Dec (TD). Two Snow Buntings were seen at Sky Meadows SP, Fauquier 10 Dec (SB). Seven Common Redpolls were seen in the observer s a backyard 14 Feb (AB). Red-winged Blackbirds, always common, reached an astounding seasonal high count of 10,000 around the observer s home in Prince William 20 Feb (LC). The much-reduced Rusty Blackbird, by contrast, had a high count of 130 seen by the Northern Virginia Bird Club 14 Jan though dozens of Rusties were found this winter in both Alexandria and Fairfax (DB, TB, NVBC). Contributors: Frederick Atwood, Scott Baron, Adam Beidler, David Boltz, Ashley Bradford, Thomas Brooks, David Carr, Linda Chittum, Joe Coleman, Steven Courtney, Ann Driscoll, Todd Day, Geoff Giles, Harry Glasgow, Gerry Hawkins, Karen Heatwole, Neil Heinekamp, Ben Jessup, Thomas Jones, Phil Kenny, Glenn Koppel, David Ledwith, Michael Mayer, Larry Meade, Rusty Moran, Elton Morel, Northern Virginia Bird Club, Mike O Brien, Paul Pisano, Phil Silas, Sherman Suter, Aidan Walker, Tim Ward, and Beth Waters. Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 5

6 West Editor Clyde Kessler P.O. Box 3612 Radford, VA Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Bath Rockbridge, Botetourt Alleghany, Craig, Giles, Roanoke, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties. GEESE NIGHT-HERONS Two Cackling Geese were seen at Old Quarry Pond, Augusta 16 Jan (GM). A Snow Goose (blue morph) was found at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond, Montgomery 18 Jan (PP). Two Tundra Swans were seen at McCune s, Augusta 17 Jan (GM). A Mute Swan found at a private pond in Stuarts Draft, Augusta 6 & 10 Dec provided a fourth record for the county (AL). Two were also seen at Murray s Pond, Roanoke 5 Feb(WT). Seven American Black Ducks were reported in Highland 26 Feb (EM). Twenty-five Northern Shovelers were tallied at several locations in Augusta 26 Jan tying the local peak count there (AL). Fifteen Redhead were seen at Carvins Cove, Roanoke 21 Jan (MH). Ringnecked Duck counts were of 60+ at Greenfield Lake Botetourt, 5 Feb (WT); 84, mostly males, on a pond in Bath County the same day (JC, BD, BG & CK); and 62 on White s Lake, Frederick 20 Feb (BL and JL). Seven Common Mergansers were at a pond in Bath 5 Feb (JC, BD, BG & CK). Three Common Loons were on Lake Moomaw, Bath 15 Jan (GH), and four were observed at Carvins Cove, Roanoke 21 Jan (MH). An immature Green Heron found in Staunton, Augusta 14 Dec was well beyond its expected departure date (PW). Reported by several observers were 2 Black-crowned Night-Herons Waynesboro, Augusta 28 Jan 26 Feb. HAWKS SPARROWS A Northern Goshawk was found at Bisset Park in Radford, 18 Dec (DA). Red-tailed Hawk reports were of 12 tallied on a CBC near Waynesboro, Augusta 2 Jan ( VL ), 9 found in Highland 28 Jan (AB) and one on a nest at Whitethorne, Montgomery 26 Feb (RM). A Rough-legged Hawk was reported in Blue Grass Valley, Highland 26 Feb (EM) and 4 Golden Eagles were observed there 5 Feb (JC, BD, BG & CK). A Merlin was found at Greenfield Lake, Botetourt 4 Feb (KD). At least three American Woodcock were heard there 29 Feb (WT). One Bonaparte s Gull was seen in Blacksburg, Montgomery 23 Jan (SB). A Northern Saw- Whet Owl was heard in Poverty Hollow, Montgomery 8 Jan (JW). A Marsh Wren was found at Gala Wetlands, Botetourt 5 Feb (WT). A Pine Warbler was photographed as it visited feeders at Claytor Lake, Pulaski Feb.(MM). The only American Tree Sparrow report was of one in Highland 28 Jan (AB). Three Fox Sparrows were found in Blue Grass Valley, Highland 25 Feb (EM). Contributors: Dave Abraham, Stan Bentley,Allen Bryan, JC Covey, Betsy Davies, Kent Davis, Bruce Grimes, George Harris, Michael Hartley, Clyde Kessler, Allen Larner, Victor Laubach, BJ Little, Jon Little, Gabriel Mapel, Ryan May, Elton Morel, Mark Mullins, Pat Polentz, West Teets, Penny Warren, JD Wilson. Page 6 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

7 Central Editor C. Michael Stinson 437 Wildflower Lane Dillwyn, VA Albemarle, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Caroline, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Louisa, Nelson, Orange, Powhatan, and Spotsylvania Counties; and the cities of Charolttesville, Fredericksburg, and Lynchburg. Several observers commented on the mild winter and the (possibly related) paucity of waterfowl and winter finches in the Region. Reports from Albemarle were more frequent than from the remaining counties in the area, as reflected in the following report. GEESE HAWKS A Ross s Goose, still rare in the Region though reported with increasing frequency across the state, was photographed in Goochland 22 Jan (AB). Perhaps more expected, but still infrequent, a Snow Goose found 30 Nov remained at Wintergreen, Nelson, until at least 16 Dec (MF). From three to seven Tundra Swans, rare in winter, were reported at Hawkwood Lk., Louisa, and nearby from 5 Jan (TJ) until 14 Feb (m.ob.). Among the less frequently reported diving ducks, an Albemarle record count of 22 Canvasbacks represents birds found 23 Jan at three locations (SM), and an unexpected Redhead was found on the Lynchburg CBC 17 Dec. The only reports of multiple Common Mergansers were six found at Beaver Cr. Res., Albemarle 4 Jan (SM) and two at Bell s Branch Watershed Lk., Buckingham, 13 Jan (ES). An immature Golden Eagle was briefly seen on 1 Feb along Pigeon Run Road near Gladys, Campbell (MR). Significant Northern Harrier concentrations were reported in the Green Springs area of Louisa from mid-dec through late Feb, with a maximum of approximately 30 individuals reported in mid-feb (m.ob.). SHOREBIRDS FALCONS The only concentration of Wilson s Snipe reported was a group of 10 along Langhorne Rd., s. Albemarle, 5 and 14 Jan (SM), though a few individuals were seen elsewhere in the Region. Gull numbers and diversity were greatest at Lk. Anna (Louisa and Spotsylvania), as the Lk. Anna CBC totals from 2 Jan demonstrate: 23 Bonaparte s, 1284 Ring-billed, 838 Herring, a single Lesser Black-backed, and 75 Great Black-backed were reported (m.ob). An estimated 700 Ring-billed Gulls were seen near the Lynchburg landfill on 4 Jan (GS); no other comparable gull concentrations were reported. Short-eared Owls were reported again this year at various dates in the Green Springs area of Louisa; up to seven birds were seen from 11 Dec through the end of Feb (m.ob.). An adult female Rufous Hummingbird was banded in Lynchburg 10 Dec; the bird had been present since mid-october (TD). One Peregrine Falcon was reported, a bird that flew across Old Ridge Road, n. Hanover, in front of the observer s car, 3 Feb (AD). WRENS FINCHES A Marsh Wren was at Bentivar Marsh, Albemarle, 12 Jan, where one had been reported the previous Oct (SM). A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen on a Monticello Bird Club field trip at Scottsville, Albemarle, 14 Jan, furnishing the first January record for the species in that county. A blackbird flock in s. Cumberland included 60 Rusty Blackbirds, the largest number reported regionally (MS), with smaller totals reported from a few other locations. A Baltimore Oriole, rare here in the winter, appeared 3 and 12 Jan at a Powhatan feeder (PE). Purple Finch numbers were notably low; CBC totals included only one in Lynchburg 17 Dec, two in Charlottesville (including parts of Albemarle) 18 Dec, and seven at Warren (Albemarle and n. Buckingham) 1 Jan. Contributors: Allen Bryan, Thelma Dalmas, Andrew Dolby, Patty Elton, Marshall Faintich, Thomas Jones, Stauffer Miller, Melissa Roach, Gene Sattler, Evan Spears, Mike Stinson. Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 7

8 East Editor Fred Atwood Flint Hill School, Academic Drive Oakton, VA Essex, Gloucester, King George, King William, King and Queen, Matthews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties. Note that the northern and eastern shores of the Northern Neck overlook Maryland waters. During the winter season in the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula, 139 species were recorded. The most interesting birds included Greater White-fronted Goose, Red-necked Grebe, Great Egret, Golden Eagle, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Royal Tern, White-winged Dove, Shorteared Owl, Common Raven, Sedge Wren, Marsh Wren, Painted Bunting, and Brewer s Blackbird. The data for this season s report were primarily gleaned from ebird, postings on VSO s VA-Bird and Northern Neck Audubon Society s NNASnet, and three Christmas Bird Counts: Washington s Birthplace, 18 Dec (compiler Bill Portlock); Walkerton, 1 Jan (compiler Fred Atwood); and Mathews, 1 Jan (chief compiler Cindy Kane). Many thanks to Teta Kain for her input on the noteworthy Christmas Bird Count sightings. In contrast to last year s extensive freeze, this winter was a very mild one with most bodies of water remaining open all season. For this reason, many waterfowl apparently lingered to the north of Virginia. The lack of boat teams on the rivers may also have contributed to the low waterfowl tallies on the Walkerton CBC. The warm weather most likely contributed to the higher counts of many passerines such as Gray Catbirds, Hermit Thrushes, wrens, and warblers; the scarcity of Redbreasted Nuthatches and winter finches; the remarkable number of woodcocks; and the presence of lingering birds such as Great Egret, Lincoln s Sparrow, and Royal Tern. Abbreviations: Beaverdam (Beaverdam Park, Gloucester); Bethel (Bethel Beach, Mathews); Birthplace (George Washington s Birthplace); CBC (Christmas Bird Count); Dameron (Dameron Marsh Northumberland); Dogue (King George); Elsing Green (a private farm bordering The Pocket in King William); Haven (Haven Beach Gloucester); Hughlett (Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve, Northumberland); K. G. Ponds (ponds along route 3 near Sealston, King George; Leedstown (Westmoreland); Mulberry (Mulberry Island Private Hunting Preserve Richmond); New Point Comfort (New Point Comfort Preserve, Mathews); NNAS (Northern Neck Audubon Society); The Pocket (in Pamunkey Indian Reservation along Pamunkey River, King William); Rapp. R. NWR. (Rappahannock R. Valley National Wildlife Refuge). WATERFOWL Three Greater White-fronted Geese were with 3900 Canada Geese in the Rappahannock R. off Leedstown 26 Feb (FA). Twelve Snow Geese were seen this season (two blue phase) in Dogue 7 Jan (NVBC), five on the Walkerton CBC and five along Bowie Rd. upper Westmoreland 4 and 26 Feb, where the season high of 7 Cackling Geese were also found 4 Feb (FA). Though plentiful, wintering Canada Geese were fewer than usual throughout the Region. The highest single location tally was 4600 at Bowie Rd., Westmoreland 26 Feb (FA) and the totals for the three CBCs were a half to a third of their record highs: 1139 Mathews, 3908 Walkerton, and 11,524 Birthplace. Similarly, Tundra Swan CBC numbers were less than a third of the previous highs: 21 Walkerton, 272 Birthplace, 303 Mathews. The season single-location high of 300 was at Birthplace 7 Jan (NVBC). In recent years, highs have often ranged from over 500 to over From one to 8 Mute Swans were found at eight locations. Other waterfowl with significantly lower numbers on the CBCs were Wood Duck (Mathews 0, Birthplace 11, Walkerton 32), Lesser Scaup (Walkerton 1, Mathews 4, Birthplace 630), Canvasback (Birthplace 3), Common Goldeneye (Walkerton 1, Mathews 3, Birthplace 59) and Surf Scoter (Mathews 23). The high count for Gadwall was 160 at K. G. Ponds 26 Feb (FA). A total of 38 Northern Shovelers was found in five locations, with a high of 20 Leedstown 26 Feb (FA). American Wigeon were found at 10 locations Page 8 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

9 in small groups ranging from one to 20, and Birthplace CBC had its highest count in recent years (21), though 1000 were on this count in 1939 and Birthplace CBC reported a new high count of 317 Green-winged Teal (315 of which were in Leedstown, also the season high for a single location). This season s Regional high of 1150 Northern Pintails Elsing Green 16 Dec (FA) is about half the previous high. Suggett s Point in the Rappahannock R., Richmond hosted the high count of 413 Canvasback 24 Jan (LA), half of last year s season-high, which was considered low at the time. Only 105 Redheads were reported this season from four locations with a high of 41 at K. G. Ponds 24 Feb (FA). The high of 80 Long-tailed Ducks was a combined total from four locations in Mathews 11 Feb (AB, ABr). The high count for Ringnecked Duck was a mere 290 at K. G. Ponds 26 Feb (FA). Three White-winged Scoters and 9 Black Scoters were found by observers on the Mathews CBC. Sixteen more Black Scoters were at Bethel (6) and Haven (10) 22 Jan (JS). The high count of 225 Surf Scoter was at Hughlett 29 Jan (FA). The only duck that seemed to be present in higher than usual numbers this winter was Ruddy Duck with a high of 18,700 (80-90% male) noted in the Rappahannock R. between Canoe House and Water View, Middlesex 29 Jan, which also hosted the high count of 125 Common Goldeneyes, about 75% male (FA). GALLINACEOUS BIRDS HERONS A new all-time high of 28 Northern Bobwhites was tallied on the Walkerton CBC, a nice change form last year s zero. Ten were found on the Birthplace CBC but no additional Bobwhites were reported all winter. In the Rappahannock R., Middlesex 44 Red-throated Loons were found 26 Jan (FA). The high for Common Loon was 65 on the Mathews CBC, but this was far below its average. At New Point Comfort, the Mathews CBC also had the high count of 14 Horned Grebe as well as the only 5 Rednecked Grebes of the season. (MB). This was an all-time high and only the ninth time this species has been found in Mathews CBC s 43 year history. By 12 Jan the number had dropped to two birds (GG). Piedbilled Grebes reached a high of 45 at Beaverdam 16 Dec (GG). Brown Pelicans generally occurred in groups of one to five at 11 locations in the eastern half of the Region, with none further upriver than Tappahannock. The high was 11 at Gloucester Point, Gloucester 11 Dec (MB). Northern Gannet sightings were more frequent than last winter (21 reports) with a high of 250 at Gloucester Point, Gloucester 30 Jan (JSt). The high for Doublecrested Cormorant was 250 in and around the Rappahannock R. in Tappahannock, Essex 3 Feb (EO). Of the 186 seen in this location 16 Dec, the majority were immatures (FA). Assumedly because of the mild winter, Great Egrets lingered much longer than usual. An all-time high of nine were found in The Pocket on the Walkerton CBC, though by 11 Feb there was only one bird remaining (FA). Another was found at Birthplace 12 Dec (FS, NNAS). RAPTORS OWLS Black Vultures seemed fewer in number this winter with only one report of more than 25 birds at a single location: 42 at Winter Haven South Mathews (CC) and a high of only 105 on the Walkerton CBC. Walkerton CBC also had the high count of 649 Turkey Vultures smashing its previous high of 501 (2003). The Mathews CBC had its first ever Osprey; and the first spring Osprey in the Region was at Lower Cat Point Creek, Richmond 27 Feb (LA). The compiler received no reports of Bald Eagle surveys this year so the high was the 102 seen on the Birthplace CBC, which was less than half of last year s Birthplace CBC high. A total of 23 Cooper s Hawks and 18 Sharp-shinned Hawks were reported. Mathews CBC tied its all-time high count of 7 Cooper s Hawks. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen on the Walkerton CBC, the fifth sighting of that species in the 17 years of the CBC. American Kestrel numbers were lower than usual on two of the CBCs, with four on Birthplace and two on Mathews. But numbers were back up to normal with 11 on Walkerton CBC. Fifteen additional kestrels were reported from 11 locations during the season. Two Peregrine Falcons were found in the Region this winter: the first at John s Point Gloucester 12 Dec (G&RH) and the second on the Mathews CBC, (the third time on this CBC). Three single Merlins were noted this winter including Mathews CBC at Winter Haven South (CC), Birthplace 12 Feb (TB, et al.), and Mulberry 4 Dec (FA). Three Virginia Rails lingered at Mulberry 4 Dec (FA). A singlelocation high of 12 Clapper Rails was at Bethel 12 Jan (GG). The winter high of 2500 American Coots was again at Beaverdam 8 Dec (G&RH), and Birthplace CBC had its all-time high of 2 American Coots, which have only been recorded twice on that CBC before. Fifteen Black-bellied Plovers were Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 9

10 at Winter Harbor Landing, Mathews 30 Jan (LA) and nine were seen on the Mathews CBC. Mathews CBC participants also found 222 Sanderlings and 552 Dunlin. Eighteen Greater Yellowlegs were found on the Walkerton CBC and the only Lesser Yellowlegs of the season was a single bird at Singerly Pond, Richmond 16 Dec (FA). Twenty Ruddy Turnstones were at Bethel 30 Jan (LA). A total of only 47 Wilson s Snipe was reported this winter, five on the Birthplace CBC and 42 on the Walkerton CBC. Members of one Walkerton CBC team (DB, BW) made a concerted effort to census the AMERICAN WOODCOCKS, which they expected to be present in recordbreaking numbers this year. They were right. Walkerton s 187 was the highest woodcock count in the nation.the high count this winter for Bonaparte s Gulls was 100 at Hughlett 7 Feb (EB). Two late Laughing Gulls were at Haven 22 Jan (JS). Ring-billed Gulls were abundant this winter with an all time high of 2309 on the Birthplace CBC and a high count of 5900 at K. G. Ponds 22 Jan where there was also a Lesser Black-backed Gull (FA). Another Lesser Blackbacked Gull was at Glen Roy Estates Gloucester 31 Jan (FR). An unusually high count of 202 Great Blackbacked Gulls covered the island in the bay off of Bethel 1 Jan (G&RH). A late Royal Tern was noted at Bethel 24 Jan (G&RH). Perhaps the most exciting bird of the season was a WHITE-WINGED DOVE (ph. G&RH) at a yard in Gloucester 2 Feb (G&RH). A Short-eared Owl could not be found at Mothershead despite several attempts this winter, but one was found at Dameron 1 Jan (G&RH). It was a perfect morning for owling on the Walkerton CBC and they found their all-time high counts for Great Horned Owl (40, previous high 25) and Eastern Screech-Owl (12, previous high 8). Walkerton CBC also had its first-ever Barn Owl (DB,BW) and another was noted during count week for the Birthplace CBC, though none could be found in their traditional sites in Leedstown. WOODPECKERS WARBLERS Unlike last year, Red-headed Woodpeckers were not hard to find this year. A total of 44 were observed in at least 10 locations. They were found on all three CBCs, with a high of 21 on Walkerton CBC. Likewise, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers rebounded from last year s lows. Birthplace CBC totals increased from 13 last year to its all-time high of 46 this year. Walkerton CBC s alltime high of 820 American Crows was only a little higher than its 2004 high of 797. Only 4 Fish Crows were reported this season. Single birds were at Leedstown 4 Feb (FA) and Gloucester 18 Feb (MB), and two were heard at K. G. Ponds 26 Feb (FA). A COMMON RAVEN was again seen at K. G. Ponds 7 Jan (NVBC), most likely one of the birds seen there last fall. Horned Larks were even more scattered and harder to find than last year. Only 55 were seen on the CBCs (Walkerton only) and only 47 others were seen at seven locations including a high of only 33 in Leedstown 4 Feb (FA). Red-breasted Nuthatches were hard to find in this mild winter. Only three single birds were reported: Walkerton CBC, Birthplace CBC, and sporadically at a feeder 10 Jan to 6 Feb in Northumberland (TS). Brown-headed Nuthatches were in their usual haunts with a high of 15 at Hughlett 1 Jan (G&RH). Mathews CBC had 47, significantly above their average of 21. The mild conditions this winter appeared to aid the wintering populations of several small passerines. All the CBCs showed dramatic increases in the numbers of Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse. This was especially notable for Walkerton, which last year had its lowest counts of both species since 1995 but this year had all-time highs of 165 Carolina Chickadees and 150 Tufted Titmice. Similarly the Winter Wren count on Walkerton CBC rebounded from a below-average seven last year to an all-time high of 34 this year. Single Marsh Wrens were nice winter finds at Bethel 24 Jan (G&RH), Hughlett 29 Jan (FA), Gloucester 7 Feb (R&EB), and Mathews 11 Feb (AB, ABr). Two Sedge Wrens were found in Mathews 11 Feb (AB, ABr). Three House Wrens were reported this season: one on Mathews CBC and two on the Walkerton CBC (noted for only the third time, and ties previous high). Birthplace CBC had new all-time highs of 78 Hermit Thrushes (46 of them in Leedstown) and 13 Gray Catbirds. Thirty-one catbirds were reported all season, twice last year s total. Walkerton CBC scrounged out its new high count of 23 Brown Thrashers. American Pipits were back up to more normal numbers this year. The single location high was 75 along Shiloh School Rd., Northumberland 4 Feb (DB) and observers tallied 77 on the Birthplace CBC and 74 on the Walkerton CBC. Fifteen Pine Warblers were reported from nine locations in addition to two on Walkerton CBC, three on Birthplace CBC and 11 on Mathews CBC. Birthplace CBC participants pished out their all-time high count of 304 Yellow-rumped Warblers, but Mathews had the Page 10 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

11 highest tally of 862. Other warblers this winter included one Common Yellowthroat Mathews CBC (MB); 5 Orange-crowned Warblers 4 Dec Mulberry (FA), and another at K. G Ponds 22 Jan (FA); and 8 Palm Warblers: two at KG Ponds 12 Dec to 26 Feb (CK, KJ, FA), one in Dogue 7 Jan (NVBC), four in Leedstown on the Birthplace CBC, and one on the Walkerton CBC, its first ever (DB,BW). SPARROWS FINCHES It is unusual to find a wintering Lincoln s Sparrow in this area, so to find three was quite remarkable: single birds were at Beaverdam 5 Jan (G&RH), Leedstown 26 Feb (FA), and the first ever for the Mathews CBC at New Point Comfort (MB). White-crowned Sparrows were even less common than last year; 33 birds were found in nine locations with a max of 16 at Leedstown 4 Feb (FA). Fox Sparrows were recorded on all three CBCs and a total of 27 were seen all season. Birthplace CBC had new high counts for Eastern Towhee (40) and Swamp Sparrow (132, previous high 91). Fewer Eastern Meadowlarks were found throughout the Region this winter. In addition to the 145 on the CBCs, all of which had below average totals only about 90 more were found in 11 locations, with a high of 32 at Mulberry 4 Dec (FA). Two BREWER S BLACKBIRDS (ph.) were in a field fertilized with cow manure along Bowie Rd., Westmoreland 4 and 26 Feb (FA). And a flock of 100 Rusty Blackbirds was found with a huge flock of grackles in Gloucester 28 Jan (R&EB). Twelve more Rusties were found at three scattered locations this winter. The only Baltimore Oriole noted this winter was on the Birthplace CBC, its second ever. Male Painted Bunting observed in Topping, Middlesex January. Photograph by Sherry Boylan. Walkerton CBC had its highest ever count of 4562 Brown-headed Cowbirds. For the third year in a row, a male PAINTED BUNTING was seen sporadically at a feeder in Wicomico Church, Northumberland throughout the winter (JC). Another male Painted Bunting (ph.) was in Topping Middlesex Jan (SB, FA). No Purple Finches or Pine Siskins were found on any of the CBCs this winter. However, single Purple Finches were reported from King George 18 Dec (RB) and Gloucester 13 and 16 Feb (R&EB). The only report of a Pine Siskin was at Suggetts Point, Richmond 16 and 26 Feb (LA). Contributors: Lee Adams, Fred Atwood, Roy and Eirlys Barker, Meredith Bell, Arun Bose, Robin Bowyer, Sherry Boylan, Dana Bradshaw, David Bridge, Edward Brinkley, Thomas Brooks, Allen Bryan, JoAnne Chewning, Caroline Coe, Geoff Giles, George and Rosemarie Harris (G&RH), Claire Kuskens, Karen Jones, Northern Neck Audubon Society (NNAS), Northern Virginia Bird Club (NVBC), Ellison Orcutt, Felicity Rask, Frank Schaff, James Shelton (JS), Joshua Stone (JSt), Bryan Watts, and scores of volunteers on the three Christmas Bird Counts. Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 11

12 Southwest Editor Roger and Lynda Mayhorn HC Box 44A Pilgrims Knob, VA Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe Counties. The average temperature for the three month period was 44 F with 35 days of precipitation 15 of which were snow. Sighting highlights were Roughlegged Hawk, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles including a nesting pair, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Red Crossbill. Abbreviations: BP (Breaks Interstate Park, Dickenson); Compton (Compton Mt. Buchanan); MC (Musick s Campground on South Holston Lake, Washington); RRL( Rural Retreat Lake); SHL (South Holston Lake, Washington); Waterfowl Crossbills A Flock of Ring-necked Ducks and Hooded Mergansers were found on Laurel Lake in BP 1 Dec (DR, GR). It is unusual for the species to be found on this small lake. Two Canvasbacks, one Redhead and 400 American Coots were on Falls Mills Lake, Tazewell 25 Jan (JP). Two Horned Grebes and 2 Eared Grebes were on SHL in 16 Jan (JS). An ad. Bald Eagle was observed on Kents Ridge Rd., Russell 13 Dec and 15 Feb (TH). The pair of Bald Eagles on SHL whose nest and chicks was destroyed by a storm in 2011, were found nesting again in a white pine in a nearby area 11 Jan (DB). Other Bald Eagle observations were of one observed flying overhead on Rt. 19 near Stuart s Pond, Russell 28 Dec (T&L H) and an adult found perched near RRL 17 Jan (CM). An imm. light morph Rough-legged Hawk was in the Elk Garden section of Russell 24 Dec (TH). An adult Golden Eagle was hunting near a feedlot on Clifton Farms Rd., Russell 13 Dec. (TH); three were found there 24 Dec (TH) and an imm. was also observed on 28 Dec (TH). Three Golden Eagles were found in Russell 17 Feb, one perched on Bear Town Mt., one in flight near Stuart s Pond and the third in the vicinity of House and Barn Mt. (T& L H). On the same date a Merlin streaked by in a power glide near Kents Ridge Rd., Russell (T&L H). Two juvenile Golden Eagles were observed in the Cove area of Tazewell 27 Feb (TH). Four Loggerhead Shrikes were noted in the Clifton Farms Rd. and Elk Garden areas of Russell 24 Dec (TH). Two Brown-headed Nuthatches were in Washington County Park near SHL 8 Jan (WC, MS) where the species has been found since the winter of A Orange-crowned Warbler was discovered in a yard in Bristol, Washington 3 Jan (MS). A Red Crossbill was observed coming to feeders in Washington County Park 12 Jan (MS). Contributors: Darlene Boyd, Wallace Coffey, Tom Hunter, Tom and Laverne Hunter, Cecelia Mathis, Jim Phillips, David Raines, Gary Raines, Mike Sanders, Jeremy Stout Page 12 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

13 South Central Editor Wendy Ealding 1384 Palmore Road Powhatan, VA Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax, Charlotte, Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Prince Edward, Nottoway, Dinwiddie, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Greensville Counties, and the cities of Danville, Emporia, and Martinsville. The period was mild in the Regions as it was in much of the state. This resulted in a scarcity of waterfowl on the large bodies of water such as Kerr. Dick Cross proved to be the most productive spot for dabbling ducks. The mild weather produced reports of possible wintering Blue-gray Gnatcatchers but there were few reports of winter finches with low numbers of Purple Finches, mostly at feeders at widely scattered locations throughout the Region, and no reports of Pine Siskins. Abbreviations: Briery Creek (Briery Creek WMA, Prince Edward); Kerr (Kerr Reservoir, Mecklenburg); Dick Cross (Dick Cross WMA, Mecklenburg); Sandy River (Sandy River Reservoir, Prince Edward) Not common in the southern Piedmont, 7 Tundra Swan were seen at Dick Cross 22 Jan (PG, HG, MF). Hundreds of dabbling ducks, including Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal and American Wigeon were at Dick Cross 18 Feb (DS). Redhead, rare in the Piedmont in winter, were at Dick Cross with three reported 29 Jan (WE, PE) and several reported 30 Jan (MS). A juvenile Brown Pelican, first reported by an Army Corps of Engineers worker 2 Feb, was at Kerr 4 Feb (ph. AD, PG). A report has been submitted to VARCOM for review. An Osprey, either a late winter holdover or an early spring arrival, was at Briery Creek Feb (MS). There were numerous reports of American Woodcock, which are normally rare winter residents. One was heard in the pre-dawn hours 5 Jan at Dick Cross (AD, PG) and one was seen in Patrick 8 Jan (JW). In Buckingham, one was seen 9 Jan (MS) and 2 were present 10 Jan (ES). Two were at Amelia WMA, Amelia 14 Jan (SS). One was heard in flight 23 Jan and calling the first week in February, at Burnt Chimney, Franklin (AQ). Fifteen Bonaparte s Gull were at Kerr 22 Jan (PG, HG, MF) and four were seen at the same location 29 Jan (WE, PE). The Lesser Blackbacked Gull which has been a regular winter visitor at Kerr in past years, was reported 8 Jan 26 Feb (m.ob.). Eurasian Collared-Doves are apparently regular in downtown South Boston, Halifax. A high count of six was reported 11 Jan (PG), one was seen 17 Feb (TJ) and two seen 24 Feb (PG). A hatch year female Rufous Hummingbird, positively identified by banding, was present in a yard in Dinwiddie 10 Dec thru 29 Feb (AD). Reports of several Redheaded Woodpeckers from various locations in the vicinity of Kerr and Dick Cross 22 Jan (PG, HG, MF) were notable given the scarcity of the species elsewhere in the state this A juvenile Brown Pelican, highly unusual this far from the coast was photographed at Kerr Reservoir on February 4 by Adam D Onofrio winter, and their increased numbers at this location compared with the previous winter. Increasingly scarce anywhere in the state, there were reports of Loggerhead Shrikes at Palmer Springs, Mecklenburg. One was reported 30 Jan (MS) and two were photographed 18 Feb by a group from Margaret Watson Bird Club (DS). Twenty-five Tree Swallows were at Kerr 26 Feb (MF, PG). Consistent with this being a non-irruption year, Red-breasted Nuthatch reports were few, with one reported at Briery Creek 25 Jan and 27 Feb (MS) and two at Occoneechee SP, Mecklenburg (MS). Blue-gray Gnatcatcher may have wintered at Kerr with reports of Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 13

14 one 15 Jan 26 Feb (m.ob.), and at Dick Cross 26 Feb (SB). A Claycolored Sparrow at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park, Franklin 3 Dec (KD, MSm) was accepted by VARCOM as a Category 2 record (sight record without physical evidence, but for which there is written documentation from one or more observers accepted by VARCOM) and provides only the third Piedmont record since Uncommon in winter, a Vesper Sparrow was at Sandy River 7 Feb (MS). An adult male Baltimore Oriole at a feeder in South Boston, Halifax 18 Dec was within the count circle for the Banister River WMA CBC (JB). Contributors: Jeff Blalock, Stephen Buczynski, Kent Davis, Adam D Onofrio, Wendy Ealding, Patty Elton, Mary Foster, Hannah Glass, Paul Glass, Thomas Jones, Alyce Quinn, Mike Smith, Shane Snow, David Spears, Evan Spears, Mike Stinson, Jan Wiley New Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM)Website As most birders probably know the Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM) was formed in 1989 to increase knowledge of Virginia birds, to evaluate and to archive records of vagrants and rare nesting species in the state, and to encourage high standards of observation, recording, and reporting in the birding community. Since then, VARCOM has evaluated more than 650 records of rare species, unseasonal occurrences, and unusual breeding attempts. The VARCOM Website at has recently been improved with a new layout and much enhanced readability. It contains a wealth of information for Virginia birders. The newly formatted Official List of species that have been documented in the Commonwealth is simple to navigate. The Review List is easier to read than the previous version and the exceptions to where species are reviewable are clearly stated in the text rather than by referencing maps as used to be the case. Birders can make a lasting contribution to the record of Virginia s birdlife by documenting any sightings of reviewable birds. Instructions and the forms for submitting sightings are can be found on the VARCOM Website. The new Website was developed by Arun Bose to whom the Committee is most grateful. Page 14 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

15 Southeast Editor Adam D'Onofrio Smith Grove Road Petersburg, VA Henrico, Charles City, Chesterfield, James City, New Kent, Prince George, Sussex, Surrey, Southampton, Isle of Wight, and York Counties, and the cities of Richmod, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. The word for the weather this winter was warm. All three months of the period recorded warmer than normal temperatures with the mean average for all three months at 5.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation, on average, was 0.8 inches below normal for the period with only one minor snowfall in mid-february. The mild winter may have accounted for multiple out of season birds found throughout the period. The two long running Christmas Bird Counts in the area were conducted again this year. The 72 nd Hopewell CBC on December 18 recorded an all time high count of 119 species. The 35 th Williamsburg CBC, also on December 18, had a total of 109 species. Highlights of both counts are in the text. Abbreviations: College Creek (College Creek Hawk Watch, James City); Dutch Gap (Dutch Gap Conservation Area, Chesterfield); Hog (Hog Island W.M.A., Surry);, HoCBC (Hopewell Christmas Bird Count); Ragged Island (Ragged Island W.M.A., Isle of Wight); WiCBC (Williamsburg Christmas Bird Count). GEESE HUMMINGBIRDS Ross s Geese and Cackling Geese have become expected on the HoCBC and two of the former and one of the latter were counted. Two Ross s Geese were seen in Henrico among a flock of 1500 Snow Geese 25 Feb (ABr). The high count for Cackling Geese in the Region was eight in Henrico 25 Feb (ABr). In a year when large numbers of waterfowl have been scarce, a count of 350 Canvasbacks at Ragged Island 31 Jan was noteworthy (BA). A new high count of 185 Bufflehead was made on the HoCBC. The only report of Red-necked Grebe was one seen from the Colonial Parkway, York 11 Feb (JS). A Brown Pelican was unusually far inland when found hanging out at the dock of the Hopewell Yacht Haven, Prince George 23 Feb (BH). The WiCBC had a new high count 1,719 Double-crested Cormorants. A Green Heron was photographed near the Henrico/Hanover county line 12 Jan (DJ). This may provide the first confirmed record of the species in the coastal plain in mid- Jan. A new high count of 347 Turkey Vultures was made on the WiCBC. At least one Osprey overwintered at Dutch Gap this year, an annual occurrence due to the warm water discharge from the nearby Dominion Power Plant. Elsewhere, there were numerous reports of Ospreys returning to the area earlier than normal. Two King Rails and two Virginia Rails were both second count records for the HoCBC. Both species were previously found on the 1976 CBC. The two King Rails were also detected on 14 Jan (ABr) and 29 Jan (AB) in Henrico. Four Lesser Yellowlegs in Charles City 26 Feb were a month early (AB). A Spotted Sandpiper, a rare winter visitor, was at Yorktown Beach, York 6 Feb (FB). Fifty-one Dunlin were counted on the WiCBC. Early Laughing Gulls were reported from the Colonial Parkway, York 25 Feb (MS) and from College Creek 28 Feb (BW, BT, TA). A new high count of 5,354 Herring Gulls was recorded on the HoCBC. Three first cycle Glaucous Gulls were in the area this season with one seen at the Hopewell City Marina 4 Dec (AB), another at the lake at Insbrook, Henrico 14 Dec (AB) and a third traveling around downtown Richmond but mostly seen from Brown s Island 13 Dec-20 Feb (EO, AB, m.obs.). Two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were banded by Bruce Peterjohn in the James City area this winter on 28 Jan. The first, a male, was at Powhatan Secondary from early January until 1 Feb. The second bird, a female at Governor s Land, remained in the area from December through at least 11 Feb. Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 15

16 These were the first confirmed winter Ruby-throateds for the area (fide BW). Two Rufous Hummingbirds, actually more common in winter than ruby-throats, were also banded by Bruce Peterjohn. The first, an imm. female, in the James City area at Ford s Colony was present and recorded on the WiCBC and remained through at least 11 Feb (fide BW). The second an imm. male in the Varina section of Henrico, was banded 16 Jan and remained throughout the period (N&BS, ph. by BS). NUTHATCHES FINCHES A Red-breasted Nuthatch, recorded on the HoCBC, was the only report of that species this season. Ten House Wrens was a new high count on the HoCBC. A Sedge Wren, rare west of Chesapeake Bay, was a good find in the Jamestown Island marshes, James City 14 Feb (FB). Three Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were recorded on the HoCBC. A single Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was at Hog during the WiCBC. Gray Catbirds were recorded on both CBCs with a single bird on the HoCBC and two on the WiCBC. Uexpected in winter, a Tennessee Warbler was seen and photographed visiting a feeder in western Henrico 14 Jan (ABr). The bird apparently had an injured right leg but otherwise seemed healthy and may provide the first documented winter occurrence of the species in Virginia. A new high count of four Orange-crowned Warblers was recorded on the HoCBC. Single Orange-crowned Warblers were noted on the WiCBC and in a yard in Chester, Chesterfield 22 Jan (JK). A Nashville Warbler was discovered in a mixed flock at City Point in Hopewell 17 Dec (AB) and was subsequently recorded on the HoCBC, only the second record of that species for the count. The bird remained in the area until at least 29 Jan (AB, LB, ph. ABr). A female Black-throated Blue Warbler was a first count record for the HoCBC. A Yellowbreasted Chat was a rare winter find at Station St. in Hopewell 29 Jan (AB). A male WESTERN TANAGER arrived at a residential feeder at Settler s Mill, James City 2 Dec and remained throughout the period (BW, m.ob.). This is the fourth year in a row that a male Western Tanager has been seen in this area and in three of those years the bird used the feeder at Settler s Mill. The tanager was recorded on the WiCBC providing a first count record. A Lincoln s Sparrow was photographed on the HoCBC, representing a fourth count record. Single Lincoln s Sparrows continued to be seen sporadically in the area throughout the winter (AB, ABr) and 427 Swamp Sparrows was a new high count for the HoCBC. Two LE CONTE S SPARROWS found and photographed in Charles City during the HoCBC were a first for the count and may have been attempting to winter in this area. One of the birds was last seen 15 Jan (AB). A single Lapland Longspur was recorded on the HoCBC. A flock of 200 Rusty Blackbirds on the HoCBC was an excellent find. Up to five Baltimore Orioles were present in a residential yard in Stratford Hills, Richmond 9 Jan (AS). A Common Redpoll, always noteworthy in southeast Virginia, was even more noteworthy in a non irruption year. A single bird was seen coming to a feeder in the Windsor Forest neighborhood, James City 19 Feb (GG). Contributors: Bob Ake, Tom Armour, Lewis Barnett, Fred Blystone, Arun Bose, Allen Bryan (ABr), Geoff Giles, Barbara Houston, Diane Jadlowski, Julie Kacmarcik, Ellison Orcutt, Bob Schamerhorn, Nelda & Buz Snyder, Mike Stinson, Joshua Stone, Anita Storino, Brian Taber, Bill Williams. Page 16 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3

17 Coastal Editor Bill Williams, Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary P.O. Box 8795 Williamsburg, VA Accomack and Nothampton Counties; Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; Pelagic area; and the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Within the context of previous winters this one will be remembered as the fourth warmest on record. As the accounts below reflect, the species diversity for the season seemed high, not surprising given the mild, relatively uneventful meteorological conditions that persisted throughout the period. However, what this compilation does not capture was an overriding sentiment among those in the field and at feeders that birds were numerically scarce. Indeed, bird seed specialty store proprietors across the Region bemoaned poor feeder products sales lamenting that their customers did not have the seasonal quantity of birds they had expected. Part of this was probably the result of the excellent summer 2011 cone crop across the continent s northern tier which, combined with the unexpectedly benign weather, kept winter finches far to our north. Yes, those in the field did witness myriad Northern Gannets plunging like snowfall through scores of Red-breasted Mergansers and Double-crested Cormorants off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and a Red-eyed Vireo and Summer Tanagers in December and January. And there were the not unexpected Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and overwintering warblers. There were even large cetaceans breaching in the mouth of Bay. But more than a few visits to typically reliable waterfowl haunts and favored forested landscapes echoed reports from feeder watchers that the volume of birds was low. Nevertheless, with so many great days for being out and about our reliable contributors ferreted out more than a few delightful treats including Eurasian Green-winged Teal, Long-billed Curlew, Iceland Gull, two jaeger species, Whitewinged Dove, Snowy Owl, Rufous/ Selaphorus hummingbirds, LeConte s Sparrow, and Common Redpoll. Abbreviations: Back Bay (Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach); Cape Charles (town of Cape Charles, Northampton); CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel s. of Northampton); CCB (Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary/Virginia Commonwealth University); Chinc. (Chincoteague NWR, Accomack); Craney (Craney Island dredge deposition site, Portsmouth); Dismal (Dismal Swamp NWR, Chesapeake/Suffolk); False Cape (False Cape SP, Virginia Beach); FINWR (Fishermans Island NWR, Northampton); First Landing (First Landing SP, Virginia Beach); Grandview (Grandview Nature Preserve, Hampton); Rudee (Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach); VCR (Virginia Coast Reserve of The Nature Conservancy) CBCs: BBCBC (Back Bay CBC, 29 Dec); CCCBC (Cape Charles CBC, 30 Dec); ChCBC (Chincoteague CBC, 29 Dec); DSCBC (Dismal Swamp CBC, 19 Dec); LCCBC (Little Creek CBC, 31 Dec); NCBC (Nassawadox CBC, 18 Dec); NNCBC (Newport News CBC, 17 Dec); NRCBC (Nansemond River CBC, 2 Jan); WCBC (Wachapreague CBC, 17 Dec) Waterfowl Terns Three Ross s Geese were found during the ChCBC; another four were part of the BBCBC. An impressive 12 Cackling Geese were tallied for the ChCBC; 2 Richardson s Cackling Geese were at Woodlawn Cemetery, Norfolk 17 & 18 Feb (ph. RH, JY). A male Eurasian Wigeon observed at Back Bay 4 (RBr) & 23 Dec (GM, SD, JG) was on the BBCBC s final species list; another was at Eyre Hall, Northampton 31 Jan (MS, NB). A male EURASIAN GREEN- WINGED TEAL was at Chinc. 13 Feb (ph. GA). The season s only reported Common Eider was a male at Rudee 14 Dec (JK, BA). A single Harlequin Duck was seen on the CBBT 31 Dec (GK, MAK) & 2 Jan (NB, GK, MAK) then 4 Feb (BTk et al.), 9 Feb (HB) & 12 Feb (JM). Five of the Region s 9 CBCs recorded a total of 46 Northern Bobwhite as follows: six for the NCBC; one on the WCBC; seven on the ChCBC; nine on the CCCBC; and 23 on the BBCBC. The Back Bay/ Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number3 Page 17

18 An Iceland Gull photographed at Virginia Beach during the 31 Dec Little Creek CBC is believed to be the first adult documented for the Commonwealth. Photograph by Bill Williams. False Cape beach-birds survey team recorded over 7300 Red-throated Loons passing south 15 Feb (BA). Red-necked Grebes were widely distributed across the season and Region with a maximum of three from the CBBT both 29 Dec (MB, L&BC) and 25 Feb (NB). Others included two on the ChCBC and one on the NRCBC. The peak number of Northern Gannets reported was an estimated 10-12,000 off First Landing 4 Feb (MB, BW). Six American White Pelicans were at Willis Wharf, Northampton 6 Dec (ph. RBr); singles were on the CCCBC and the BBCBC. A Green Heron was found during the ChCBC and a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was in Norfolk 5 Jan (BA). Ospreys were recorded on at least five CBCs with a high count of eight on the LCCBC. Among the species totals for the WCBC were a Golden Eagle and 4 Sandhill Cranes. Two Common Gallinules highlighted the BBCBC. An American Oystercatcher survey conducted by the VCR 15 Dec recorded 1600 between Quinby and Elkins Marsh, Northampton (BTr, AW). American Avocets were reported only from Craney 1 Dec (RB, V&GB, AM) through 9 Feb (RB, et al.) with a peak count of eight there 27 Jan (BW et al.). Somewhere around 500 Marbled Godwits were at Willis Wharf, Northampton 31 Dec (GK, MAK); 370 were at that location 27 Feb (BT). A Spotted Sandpiper was on the WCBC; two were on the ChCBC; and one was at Willis Wharf, Northampton 10 Feb (SDv, ph. BHu). Northampton s Elkins Marsh/Ramshorn Bay lagoonal complex hosted a LONG-BILLED CURLEW 15 Dec (BTr, AW) and 8 Jan (NB); one was found during the WCBC. A late departing Hudsonian Godwit was at Craney 1 Dec (RB, ph. V&GB, AM). A Red Knot at Grandview for the NNCBC was unusual in winter for the Bay western shore. Virginia s first winter SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was closely studied in comparison with nearby Western Sandpipers at Ramshorn Bay, Northampton 8 Jan (NB). There were three Parasitic Jeager reports; one was on the BBCBC; one was off 84 th St., Virginia Beach 7 Jan (BW, BAn, MB); and one was off the CBBT 21 January (NB et al.). A Pomarine Jaeger was also off 84 th St. Virginia Beach 7 Jan (BW, BAn, MB). A Black-headed Gull was at Chinc. 23 Dec (ph. BH) through at least 18 Feb (MR); another at Oyster, Northampton was a count week species for the CCCBC (NB fide HA). A color-banded Ringbilled Gull at Newport News Park, Newport News 24 Feb (BA) had been ringed as an adult in Quebec, Canada 19 May An ad. Iceland Gull, the state s first documented for that age, was at 40 th St., Virginia Beach for the LCCBC (ph. BW, ph. BAn); it was subsequently seen at that site 9 Jan (GH). There were 307 Lesser Blackbacked Gulls at Back Bay (172 )/ False Cape (135) 24 Mar (BA, KM, SD). A tardy Royal Tern was at Back Bay 15 Dec (DH, SD); two were on the LCCBC as were 2 Black Skimmers. Alcids Finches A Dovekie was off Chinc. 1 Jan (EEd). The mid-atlantic s Razorbill show did not go undetected in the Region evidenced by one off the CBBT 26 Dec; nine on the CCCBC; one on the BBCBC; five on the LCCBC; two off Back Bay 28 Jan (EE et al.); then four off Back Bay 15 Feb (BA). Peak counts for Eurasian Collared-Doves were eight at the junction of Rt. 600 and Townsend Rd., Northampton 3 Dec (RBr, SS) and fivefor the BBCBC. A cooperative WHITE- WINGED DOVE was at Chinc. Page 18 Virginia Birds Volume 8 Number 3