Ross's Goose

This rare Ross's Goose was at Hog Island Wildlife Management Area, in Surry County, during the Williamsburg Bird Club's Christmas Bird Count on Dec 20th. Even with a distant view, the small body, small, rounded, unstained head, short neck and small, triangular bill, with no "grin patch," are evident. Only the main road was open, not the side trails.

Brian Taber

Baywatch Cetaceans

Pods of dolphins have been a daily sight at the baywatch. Ocassionally the dolphins will completely jump out of the water, as pictured below. The regular dolphin show had a whale guest star yesterday: a possible humpback whale. The whale surfaced twice as it headed south towards the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT). At least three individuals were seen foraging along the islands of the CBBT later that day.

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin breaching. Photo taken November 28, 2015 from the CVWO baywatch by Katie Rittenhouse

Gray Kingbird continued

The gray kingbird, a rarity from Florida and further south, remained on Magotha Road into Monday. Which provided the opportunity for more people to see this rare bird after a rainy Sunday.

Gray Kingbird on Magotha Road. Photo take November 21, 2015 by Ellison Orcutt.

Gray Kingbird on Magotha Road. Photo taken November 23, 2015 by Brian Taber.

Gray Kingbird

A gray kingbird was found yesterday on Magotha Road by Fenton Day and Ellison Orcutt. The bird was perched on the telephone wires catching small insects. As of this morning, the bird was still on Magotha Road.

Gray kingbird on Magotha Road. Photo taken by Zak Poulton on November 22, 2015.

2015 Monarch Butterfly Summary

The monarch butterfly biologist, Angela Zappalla, finished the 2015 season last week with a total of 345 butterflies tagged. One uncommon butterfly that Angela spotted was a long tailed skipper.The monarch biologist performs daily point count surveys at the Kiptopeke hawk watch platform. Angela's high count was around thirty butterflies in three hours during the peak of the migration.

Monarch butterflies and buckeye butterflies on golden rod during the migration peak. Taken by Katie Rittenhouse on October 8, 2015.

Franklin's Gulls

A strong storm in the Midwest and Great Lakes region this past Wednesday pushed large amounts of Franklin's Gulls to the eastern half of the continent. An article on Ebird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/frgu2015/) describes the fallout and includes several links, such as a map of recent sightings. Franklin's Gulls have been identified along the Virginia coast on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT), Island 1 on the CBBT, the pier at Kiptopeke State Park, and at Rudee Inlet.

Franklin's Gull by Island 1 on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; November 13,2015. Photo by Ned Brinkley

~Katie Rittenhouse

Ash-throated Flycatcher

An Ash-throated Flycatcher was identified by Eli Gross at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch yesterday. The flycatcher, a rare visitor from the west, spent ten minutes perching on objects around the platform before flying away.

Ash-throated Flycatcher found on November 8, 2015 at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch. Photo by Brian Taber

~Katie Rittenhouse

Oregon Junco

A Dark-eyed Junco Oregon form was found at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch feeders on October 16, 2015. More recently, on November 5, 2015; an Evening Grosbeak flew over the hawkwatch while calling. Both birds are rare on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

An Oregon Junco at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch feeders on October 16, 2015. Photo by Ned Brinkley

~Katie Rittenhouse

Black Scoter

Most scoters detected on the baywatch are at least one mile out in the bay. Although, there are exceptions to this general flight line. One black scoter has been an exception for the past week. One individual has been seen foraging by the pound nets every morning. There were even two spotted only 50 ft from the beach the one day.

A close black scoter foraging by the pound nets. Photo by Katie Rittenhouse

~Katie Rittenhouse

Tundra Swans at Baywatch

Migration activity has greatly increased at the baywatch. A seasonal high count of 327 Northern Gannets were detected on Sunday, migrating south towards the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Migration activity has also increased for waterfowl; now totaling 17 species. The three tundra swans pictured below were floating and vocalizing in front of the baywatch today.

One of three Tundra Swans at that baywatch this morning. Photo by Katie Rittenhouse

~Katie Rittenhouse

Baywatch Report

Below is a quick rundown of what Katie the Baywatcher has been seeing.

"The Baywatch started on October 3rd, delayed by the hurricane that threatened to come up from the south. The weather pushed some Parasitic Jaegers into the bay and there was one detected on the first and second day of the count. Terns were abundant in the beginning of the count, and have been replaced by waterfowl. Black Scoters and Surf Scoters are the most abundant. Canada Geese, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, and scaup have also been identified thus far. Common Loons are also becoming more prevalent."

Katie Rittenhouse, Baywatch Extraordinaire

In addition to the annual hawkwatch, Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory also funds an annual baywatch program to monitor the migration status of many different waterbirds. This year, Katie Rittenhouse is the hired watcher and she's been doing a marvelous job, sitting out there day after day keeping track of the birds she sees. Katie has also served as the hawkwatcher in previous years but decided to try something different this year.

Pictured above is Katie Rittenhouse, our baywatcher as she scans for waterbirds.

The Mantis and the Monarch

Our monarch biologist, Angela Zappalla has been taking some very neat photos lately and I thought I would share on the blog.

Apparently the Monarch's less than tasty reputation didn't deter this mantis from having an afternoon snack.

Festival Weekend II

Above is our Monarch Biologist, demonstrating the tagging techiniques she performs every day.

Festival Weekend

By: Graham Scarbrough

CVWO got to help celebrate the Birding Festival this past weekend by giving various presentations which included one on raptor migration and another on Monarch Butterfly migration. Hawkwatch intern Graham Scarbrough, Hawkwatcher Eli Gross, and CVWO President Brian Taber tag-teamed the raptor presentation and Monarch Biologist Angela provided a tagging demonstration of a Monarch Butterfly. It was another successful festival and fun was had by all on up on the platform.

Pictured above is Hawkwatch Intern Graham Scarbrough as he talks about raptor migration.
 

Crisis Averted

By: Graham Scarbrough

As many people already know, hurricane Jaoquin had us coastal dwellers quite nervous as it arose in the south. Luckily, it changed course allowing us to breath a sigh of relief. For about four days however, we were socked in by rain and winds, causing the raptor flight to slow almost to a stop. This caused a sort of bottling effect and on the day that the skies cleared (10/5), we had quite a flight. Our total number was 4330, with Sharp-shinned Hawks taking the largest piece of the pie. Merlins also had a nice flight of over 300. We had one visitor that was particularly interesting: a tail-less Cooper's Hawk. We did get a good picture of it as it passed over the platform and I hope to get a copy to post soon. The following day (10/7) was not too shabby either with over 2000 birds total. The peregrines have not made a large push yet but we hope that will change soon.

A Winged Wizard

By: Graham Scarbrough

One of the treats offered by hours upon hours spent on the observation platform is the occasional brief, intimate look into the lives of the wildlife that surrounds it. Of course, seeing 390 Merlins pass overhead in a single day is exhilarating; but for myself, it is the more personal experiences that hold a special place in my memory. I can try to describe what it was like seeing a Peregrine Falcon stoop across the sky and miss snatching a Merlin by a matter of inches as it back-flipped, allowing the larger falcon to pass just underneath. I can attempt to articulate how a Merlin displayed its athletic ability by plucking a Tree Swallow right out of the air, or how another Merlin possessed an almost puzzled look as sat on a nearby pole and picked at the aluminum band around its leg. But I know all of that would be useless. The only way to fully appreciate those experiences is to have been there and seen them with ones own eyes.
I love the modern camera as much as the next person but I must admit: I often find myself remembering the picture more readily than the memory itself. Some of my most cherished memories are only in my mind and I believe that is not a coincidence. What makes those memories so valuable to me is that they, and the feelings associated with them, remained uncaptured by video or a photograph. Whether they were moments of awe inspired by nature, or moments filled with a most profound sense of love, or friendship, they will always be in me. Not possessed by me, but filling me, and the few others fortunate enough to share in such a moment.

"All conservation of wildness is self-defeating, for to cherish we must see and fondle, and when enough have seen and fondled, there is no wilderness left to cherish." - Aldo Leopold


I did my best, but I don't think a million pictures could have done this bird justice. Merlin with band on its right leg. Photo courtesy Eli Gross.

The pictures you've all been waiting for...

A Zone-tailed Hawk made its way past the hawkwatch platform on September 23rd and we were fortunate enough to have a guest with an adequate camera to capture some great photos. The bird came right over the platform, floated nicely for a few seconds, and continued southward. The same bird was seen twice on the 24th from the platform. It came by again heading south, and a few hours later came back, this time approaching from the south before going into a very high soar and disappearing from view. Check out the photos below for a nice look. The photos were taken on the 23rd at the first sighting by platform visitor, Charlie Boykin. This is expected to be the first documented state record of a Zone-tailed Hawk in Virginia, so it's kind of a big deal.

Zone-tailed Hawk passing over the platform. Photo courtesy Charlie Boykin.



Zone-tailed Hawk checking out the hawkwatch platform. Photo courtesy Charlie Boykin.

Kiptopeke Hummers

We've enjoyed the company of several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds so far this season. They visit the feeders throughout the day and can often be seen chasing each other around the platform. Recent visitor, Jessica Ausura captured this great photo of three of them the a few days ago. Stay tuned for a photo taken by another visitor of the Zone-tailed Hawk that passed over the platform yesterday and twice today (9/24)!

Three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, photo credit: Jessica Ausura.

Migration Week!

We kicked off International Hawk Migration Week with a great Merlin flight on Monday (9/21). We had a total of 389 Merlins for the day and over 700 total raptors. The majority of the flight was low and fast right over the treetops in the afternoon, which made for a very fun day for Eli and Graham up on the platform.

Thanks to Hawk Migration Association of America, where we send our hawkwatch data, we are celebrating Hawk Migration Week.

Cooper's Hawk

Recently we had a young Cooper's Hawk stop at a "T" pole near the platform. For those new to raptor identification we were able to identify this birds age based on its plumage and eye color as well. Notice the overall two tone color scheme of this bird. It is brown and white, with brown streaking on the breast. An adult bird is characterized by an orange breast with horizontal barring. The backside of an adult bird is also a more of a slate color than a brown as in the juvenile. Also notice the color of this birds eye. The iris is yellow whereas in an adult bird, the iris is typically orange or red. Although there is not much for scale in this photo, the Cooper's is bigger than its cousin the Sharp-shinned Hawk. This can also be an indicator when distinguishing between the two.

A spark of migration, perhaps?

The raptors are beginning to move in larger numbers out here on the Eastern Shore. Decent numbers of Broad-winged Hawks were spotted kettling on their journey south. However, kestrels took the day with a high of 59. We nearly broke 200 total birds on the 15th and it looks as though the conditions will improve as the week continues, assuming the forecast can be trusted. We have already surpassed our previous high of 193 birds. Today, at 2:30 p.m. we are sitting at 195. On a separate, but related note, Eli spotted a pair of Mississippi Kites soaring past the platform heading south on the 13th. Hopefully the counts will just keep getting bigger and better!

A Fishy Visitor

An Osprey recently appeared at the platform and he packed a lunch! Eli and Graham were fortunate enough to photograph it before it decided to take its lunch to-go. The photo was taken with a camera phone through a spotting scope. So far this season, Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, and even a pair of Mississippi Kites have all passed the platform. The passerine movement has been decent as well. No huge numbers of raptors have been reported yet but we hope for that to change within the next few weeks!

Pictured above is one of our avian visitors, the Osprey.

Meet CVWO's New Fall Staff, Part II

Meet Graham Scarbrough. Graham got the raptor bug from trapping and banding hawks and falcons with his dear old dad back in Missouri. He will be our Hawkwatch Intern/Educator for the months of September and October. He can be found on the platform or in the woods nearby, taking "neature" walks with various groups, talking about all the neat things that nature has to offer. If you get the chance, come meet him at the hawkwatch site and he'll be happy to talk about bird migration, the geographical significance of the area, and how CVWO and Kiptopeke State Park work together to make it the best migration hotspot it can be, for the birds and the people!

Pictured above is Graham Scarbrough, our Hawkwatch Intern/Educator

Meet CVWO's New Fall Staff!

Meet Eli Gross. Eli is our Hawkwatcher this year and he travelled all the way from San Francisco, CA to be here, witnessing one of the greatest concentrations of migrating raptors in the country. Eli has volunteered his time at various hawk watches over the past several years and his identification skills are very valued here, as many of the birds are just small silhouettes as they pass over the platform. He arrived at the beginning of September and will be here nearly every day until the end of November. If you get the chance, come out and see him at the platform!

This is Eli Gross, our hawkwatching fiend!

Young Red-shouldered Hawk

This is one of two very noisy young Red-shouldered Hawks, hatched a few weeks ago, constantly begging for food from its parents, in my yard here in James City County. Their nest was in the yard next door and was begun in February. The youngsters will soon be on their own.
Brian Taber

Seven year old female Prothonotary Warbler returns to Northwest River Park

by Guest Blogger Shirley Devan

Monitoring Prothonotary Warblers at Northwest River Park in Chesapeake is well underway with a high occupancy rate in the 100 boxes spread around this bald cypress-lined river.

Since mid-April, volunteer licensed bander Shirley Devan has captured 16 female Prothonotary Warblers – 9 recaputured females banded in prior years or earlier this year and 7 newly banded birds.

May 5 excitement came at box 4 where we recaptured “Chelsea," a seven year old female Prothonotary Warbler. This female was originally banded as a second year bird June 14, 2009 at box 5 by either Renee Hudgins or John Young. Most likely she hatched at Northwest River Park in 2008. She is 7 years old this year – remarkable longevity for a neotropical migrant.

May 19 we banded Chelsea’s four nestlings and their photo is shown here.

These warblers have two clutches per season and the first clutch is hatching now in mid May

Happy Mother's Day!

May Membership Drive

Each May, at the height of bird migration, Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory conducts it's annual membership drive, so if you want to become a member to support wildlife programs...and receive regular reports...please visit the website membership button for more details.

Happy Earth Day!

This tiny, but exquisite Harvester butterfly, that just visited my yard in James City County, has the only carnivorous caterpillar in North America...they eat aphids....what a wonderful example of the diversity of life on our planet! Brian Taber

1,000th Bird at College Creek Hawkwatch

We track the passing of our 1,000th bird for the season at College Creek Hawkwatch, to see how our season is progressing, compared to our other seasons. Yesterday, we reached that mark at about the average time despite a cold winter and cold early spring...and not surprisingly, it was a Turkey Vulture, as they are at their peak movement now. We will begin seeing more Bald Eagles, Ospreys and hawks soon.
Brian Taber

"Oregon" Junco in James City County

This "Oregon" Junco, a western sub-species of Dark-eyed Junco, is rare in this area and was near College Creek on the Colonial Parkway in James City County late this afternoon. The convex lower border to the dark hood and extensive pinkish-brown flanks and sides of the breast show even in this poor image in low light through the car windshield. The back is quite brownish. Another western sub-species, "Pink-sided," is very similar, but has a much lighter-colored hood and a distinct black mark between the eye and bill. Interestingly, the foreground bird also appears to have a dark hood with a convex lower edge...too bad there aren't more images...it resembles another form, "Cassiars" or as the Sibley guide lists it, "Canadian Rocky Mountain" form...males have grayish sides and the hood. The background bird appears to be a classic "Slate-colored" with no hood and a straight margin of gray across the breast and flanks, contrasting with the whitish undersides. So...could there be 3 forms of Dark-eyed Junco shown? The larger photo, though poor quality, when enlarged, appears to show as many as 7 in this flock with hooded/brown-backed/buff-sided characteristics! For more info on this remarkable group of birds, see www.juncoproject.org
Brian Taber

Smith's Longspur

This Smith's Longspur, at Shenandoah Regional Airport in Augusta County, photographed here by Shirley Devan on Feb 25, represents a remarkable first record for Virginia. The bird was found 3 days ago and many birders have travelled to see it. A high arctic breeder, the species normally winters in the southern great plains.

Ross's Geese

These rare Ross's Geese, only a second local record, found initially on Feb 21 by Bill Williams, were still at Little Creek Reservoir here in James City County yesterday, along with more than 1,000 other water birds of more than a dozen species.
Brian Taber

Lincoln's Sparrow

This rare Lincoln's Sparrow today was not far from the spot where the Vesper Sparrow, pictured below, was yesterday. It was smaller than the Song Sparrows with it and the very obvious whitish eye-ring, slight crest, small bill, gray face and black streaking on the back show up well, even though the picture was shot through the car windshield. The pose doesn't show the extensive fine dark streaking that was below. Hundreds of sparrows are feeding along roads in this snowy area.

Vesper Sparrow

This rare-for-our-area Vesper Sparrow was among dozens of White-throated, Song, Savannah, Chipping and Fox sparrows, along a snowy road here in James City County yesterday. Following snowfalls, the hungry birds crowd up to feed on the few inches of exposed grass and dirt by the pavement, where plowing and melting has occurred.

Hermit Thrush

Despite frigid temperatures, this Hermit Thrush near Jamestown today found a sunny spot and some melted snow drinking water.

Flying Whale!

The Williamsburg Bird Club again sponsored a very successful boat trip off Virginia Beach, on January 25th, with calm seas and cool temperatures. Many thanks to Inge Curtis for allowing the spectacular photo of the Humpback Whale breaching. We saw at least 4 whales, at least 8 Harbor Seals, 2 Razorbills, about 30 Great Cormorants, several Harlequin Ducks, all 3 scoters, several Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an immature Glaucous Gull at very close range and more!

Brian Taber

Baywatch Waterbird Migration Survey

Eric Beck conducted our 2nd consecutive Baywatch Waterbird Migration Survey, from Oct 1 to Nov 30, sometimes braving very chilly winds on the bluff just north of Kiptopeke. The site, on State Natural Area Preserve land not open to the public, provides an amazing view of birds using the lower Chesapeake Bay. The goal of the survey is to document bird activity there.
Brian Taber