American Flamingo!

 Birders and non-birders alike have been astounded at seeing American Flamingos in the eastern United States following the passage of remnants of Hurricane Idalia in early September. Apparently swept up in the storm on the Yucatan peninsula, they have been reported from several states and this one appeared at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge yesterday.

Photo by Brian Taber

Here's Something You Don't See Every Day!

 ...in fact, I'll bet few of us ever have...none for me...

Wow and wow...Jim Easton found and photographed another amazing local sight in James City County on August 21st. This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail looked at first to be a very rare bilateral gynandromorph, containing both male and female characteristics. The condition is most frequently seen in organisms that show marked differences between males and females. Eastern Tiger females in their yellow form show more blue in the hindwing than males which are yellow, but females can also occur in a dark form, as in this photo. So...it looked like half male and half dark female. 

But...wait a minute...there's a small blue spot on the forewing on the yellow side, which is shown in yellow females, but not males. The yellow side hindwing is missing.

So...it's apparently a female showing both yellow and dark forms...quite remarkable.

Thanks to local colleague Ken Lorenzen for forwarding the term "bilateral same-sex mosaic morph"!

An "event" in mitosis during early development is the cause of such conditions.

Brian Taber

Another Florida Red-shouldered??

 This adult bird with a strikingly gray head has been of interest to local birders recently. I saw it yesterday at Greensprings Interpretive Trail in James City County, after being alerted by Jim Easton a few days earlier. It appears from eBird that Terry Moore also photographed it last month. It resembles the "Florida" type extimus.

Besides the head color, the dark feather shafts on the breast are quite thin, unlike the usually heavier, even sometimes blotchy look of our more usual sub-species lineatus. There are other, quite subtle, features to compare and we are evaluating. But...searching for photos and other information in eBird has been tough, as many Red-shouldereds are entered, of both types, with no photos or details.

There are few reports of "Florida" birds north of that state.

These photos are by Jim Easton.

The post below shows what I think is also a "Florida" type that was photographed this spring at nearby York River State Park.

Brian Taber

Pollinator Week

 

As we head into Pollinator Week, we appreciate all that pollinators do. Flies, bats, birds, bees, butterflies, wasps and many other organisms do the daily work of pollination, keeping our world so lush. But they do feel the combined pressures of habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The Observatory conducts regular surveys of butterflies throughout coastal Virginia and manages butterfly gardens, such as the one pictured here at Jamestown Marina.

This Pearl Crescent made a brief appearance today at the marina garden, on Mountain Mint flowers, in a rare sunny moment in the midst of a very rainy spell of several days.

Brian Taber

Florida Red-shouldered?!

 

These images, taken by Deborah Humphries at York River State Park on May 5th,  appear to show an adult "Florida" Red-shouldered Hawk, a sub-species that I don't think has been recorded in Virginia. There are records of this sub-species in eBird from Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, in April and May, so rare wandering does occur. It normally stays within the Florida peninsula, unlike other Red-shouldereds which often migrate long distances.

Unlike the richly-colored Red-shouldereds we see in Virginia, "Floridas" or extimus are extremely pale above and below and are strikingly whitish on the head, as seen here. Another interesting feature is the shortish tail, apparently still growing in, probably indicating a different molting pattern for this southern sub-species.

The color pattern looks just right to me for extimus, which I've seen, so not an abnormally pale individual of our usual Virginia birds. Comments are welcome and may be sent to taberzz@aol.com.

Brian Taber

New Marina Garden

 In October 2017, the Observatory was allowed to restore an overgrown garden at Jamestown Marina. The partners were the then new Billsburg Brewery and James City County. The garden was a magnet for visitors and also for butterflies and other pollinators. It produced 60 species of butterflies, several of which were rare and two that were not previously recorded in our area, Eufala Skipper and Zarucco Duskying.

We always knew that development would eventually happen at the valuable site and since it was becoming more imminent, we moved the garden just across the entrance road in March and April. The new spot is longer and with few paver paths, so the total amount of vegetation for wildlife is greater. It borders the new shoreline of Powhatan Creek established by the County and is next to the woodlands and wetlands, so an excellent location. There are more than 100 plants of more than 40 species. Volunteers will continue to do butterfly surveys there.

Brian Taber

Hybrid Gulls

 

Years ago, Lesser Black-backed Gulls were rare in Virginia and now they are quite regular throughout the year. In eBird there is now even a pull-down menu choice for the hybrid Herring Gull X Lesser Black-backed Gull, as that interbreeding is known to occur. The two species are commonly found together. While it would take DNA analysis for actual proof, providing eBird records for this and other suspected hybrid types does help to increase our awareness and understanding of interbreeding among species.

In the above photos, the 3rd bird from the right in front is a suspected Herring X Lesser because the mantle color is clearly intermediate between Herring and Lesser. It stands out as markedly different. It's head is tucked and legs are hidden, but there is so much variability in those features, that if shown, it wouldn't really add much. What's very lucky here is to have the various species side-by-side, because, as we know, lighting and angles can distort colors. A bird like this all by itself would be nearly impossible to judge.

The top shot shows part of a group of 22 Lessers and dozens of Herrings I saw together in southeastern Virginia in late February. There are few Virginia records in eBird for this suspected hybrid, some without photos or details, though birders should be aware of such possibilities and document as much as possible, to add to our knowledge.

Brian Taber

Juncos With Wingbars

"Slate-colored" Dark-eyed Juncos very rarely can show white wingbars, so 4 juncos together at my feeder this week in James City County showing wingbars was a noteworthy event. 

The top 3 photos show the same bird white wingbars on both greater and median coverts, some pale edging on tertials and overall pale gray plumage with contrasting dark loral area that's most evident in the 3rd photo down. In the images with the bill closed, the bill appears larger than those of the other juncos.

The 4th photo down shows another with 2 wingbars, but is a different bird from the other with 2 wingbars, due to its weaker wingbars, presence of a large amount of brown in the primaries, a pale brown back and crown and interestingly, a more convex-appearing gray border on the lower breast, with even darker markings below a slightly paler throat. "Oregon" Dark-eyed Juncos show a more convex lower border there as well, often with very dark shades.

The 5th photo down shows a bird with several white tips to just the greater coverts and white edging to the tertials, overall pale gray plumage with a darker loral area and faintly streaked brownish back.

The 6th photo down is of a very striking bird with a dark-streaked brown back contrasting with blue-gray head, whitish tertial edges and a broad white wingbar on the greater coverts.

The "White-winged" sub-species of Dark-eyed out west looks very similar to the birds shown here, as seen in many eBird reports from Colorado...some show bolder wingbars, others quite faint and there's variable bill color. Photo images change, of course, with different lighting, including bright snowy backgrounds, making the gray tones appear variable. Some show grayer bills, others pinkish. There are 3 white outer tail feathers in "White-winged" and usually just 2 in "Slate-colored," a feature which can't easily be checked unless the bird is in-hand or there's a very lucky photo.

"White-winged" can stray eastward, as 2 were banded and examined closely for tail feathers and other features on Oct 24, 2020 in Pennsylvania, as seen in eBird.

Comments welcome at taberzz@aol.com.

Brian Taber

 

Crazy Sparrow

 This bird has been seen in January several times by local birders near Jamestown. The head looks very much like a White-throated Sparrow, with white throat, white crown stripe, black lateral crown stripe and broad white supercilium. Song can show white throat. There is no yellow on the supraloral, as for White-throated, but on one side it appears buffy. The broad white crown stripe also resembles that of a White-crowned Sparrow. The forehead shows both black and brown. The lower mandible shows a slight, but interesting angle. The bill appears bicolored, gray above, pinkish below.  But the underparts are streaked like a Song Sparrow, a species which shows wide variation in striping pattern and brownish coloration. In this case, there's blackish streaking on the breast and rufous streaking on the flanks.   

The cheek shows some whitish and there is some gray there, too. Interestingly, the tertials are edged in white, not a typical feature of Song or White-throated, though shown in some White-crowneds. There are small white tips to the greater coverts, though not obvious wingbars.

Many species can show unusual white in their plumage, but the broad white crown stripe and black lateral crown stripe are especially intriguing as they are not features of Song. If a hybrid, it might then be of species of different genera, rare, but not unheard of. There is also the possibility of grandparent genes also being expressed.

Photos by Deborah Humphries.

I'm interested in any comments, please send to me at taberzz@aol.com.

Brian Taber

MacGillivray's Warbler

 This rarity, a western bird, has enchanted many birders in recent days near Harrisonburg. The photo, showing all diagnostic features well, is by Bill Williams from December 7th.

Brian Taber

Tropical Kingbird

Another rare southern kingbird?! This Tropical Kingbird, a first State record, was found at Oyster on the Eastern Shore on Oct 19. It's diagnostic vocalizations were recorded by CVWO's Kiptopeke hawkwatcher Andrew Rapp...the photo here from Oct 21 is by Nancy Barnhart. The heavy-billed structure is similar to the Gray Kingbird on the previous post, though Tropical is brightly yellow underneath.

Brian Taber

Gray Kingbird

 This Gray Kingbird, a rare visitor from the south, was found near Kiptopeke on Oct 18...note the heavy bill, dark mask and long notched tail...and...another one was found a few days later not far away! Photo Brian Taber

Rufous Hummingbird

 This rare and colorful western hummer frequented the feeders at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch on Oct 10...the broad outer tail feathers were seen well and are unlike those of the similar Allen's Hummingbird.

Brian Taber

Kiptopeke Hawkwatch

 Please welcome our Hawkwatcher Jason Bojczyk, on the left, and Monarch biologist and Assistant Hawkwatcher Andrew Rapp. Both are experienced in a variety of bird work. They will be at the hawkwatch daily, weather permitting, through November. Visitors are always welcome!

Brian Taber

photo by Shirley Devan

Gulf Fritillary

 This Gulf Fritillary, a more southern species, was seen and photographed on July 5th and 9th by Deborah Humphries at our Jamestown Marina butterfly garden. Particularly exciting is the behavior...it's a female and appears to be laying eggs on Passionflower Vine. Eggs would be a first for the Williamsburg area for this species. Local volunteers have seen Gulfs only 3 times previously here, in late July, August and October.

Brian Taber  

White-winged Tern

 This White-winged Tern, an extremely rare find on the East Coast, was way, way, way off course, normally breeding in eastern Europe and wintering in Africa, Asia and Australia. Nancy Barnhart took this photo as she and husband Ken enjoyed the experience at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on May 10th during a strong coastal weather system that produced wind gusts of 40+ m.p.h.!

Brian Taber

Communications Specialist

 The Observatory welcomes Sarah O'Reilly as our first Communications Specialist! She began last month and will help us share information about our programs and wildlife conservation more widely. She's an active birder, environmentalist and photographer. She has experience with social media posts, graphics and promotional materials from her work with James City County's Department of Parks and Recreation.

Brian Taber

American Bittern

 Usually a quite shy species, this American Bittern has been very cooperative recently for visitors to the Greensprings Trail in James City County, where it is rare. Found throughout North America, they very slowly stalk prey in wetlands and will "freeze" straight up to blend in with vertical vegetation as shown here today. The bill is very substantial and effective.

Brian Taber

Little Gull

 Not just a very small gull, it's actually called a Little Gull...very rare in Virginia. Even in this distant photo by Nancy Barnhart, the strikingly black underwings

can be seen, a feature that sets adults apart from all other gulls. She saw it on March 15 in Norfolk where it has been seen for a few days. She was also able to marvel at its acrobatic, energetic flight style, as it associated with Bonaparte's Gulls. A breeder of the far, far north, breeding adults develop a solid black head.

Brian Taber

College Creek Hawkwatch

Sometimes exciting non-hawks fly right over the Hawkwatch, like these American White Pelicans today! On hand were Bill Williams, Nancy Barnhart, me and Deborah Humphries, who took the photo.

Brian Taber

College Creek Hawkwatch

 The Observatory's late winter and spring hawkwatch on the shore of the James River near Williamsburg began it's 26th season today. There were south winds and a decent early-season flight of 62, mainly Turkey Vultures as expected. Other species were Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Black Vulture. After March, the flights become more diverse, with fewer Turkey Vultures. The photo shows two of today's migrants crossing the river, with the challenging backlighting characteristic of this season. Regular volunteers Bill Williams and Nancy Barnhart were also on hand. Data can be found at Hawkcount.org.

Brian Taber

Ipswich Sparrow

 This "Ipswich" Savannah Sparrow is the very pale sub-species that breeds on an island off Nova Scotia and winters along the mid-Atlantic coast in small numbers. The very gray overall color contrasts with the typical brown of the other two Savannahs next to it. The gray tones blend well with the usual sandy habitat. They are often found at Grandview Beach in Hampton and other coastal sites. This one was seen on Feb 3rd at a Portsmouth site closed to the public.

Brian Taber

Northern Lapwing

 This Northern Lapwing, a very rare visitor from Europe, was found yesterday in a rural area with large open agricultural fields in Virginia Beach near Back Bay. The word went out quickly and a number of us lucky birders were able to see it. Even at some distance the photo shows the delicate iridescent colors on the wings and back and the elegant, wispy crest. It was feeding with dozens of Killdeer and several Black-bellied Plovers. There are some other records further north this winter on the east coast, indicating some kind of out-of-range movement.

Brian Taber

Butterfly Garden Season Ends

The Observatory manages butterfly gardens at Kiptopeke State Park and at Jamestown Marina/Billsburg Brewery, which is pictured here. By mid-December most blooming plants have finished, though at the Marina Garden, Golden Alexander and Obediant Plant are still blooming as of Dec 17th. The dead vegetation is left in place until March, to harbor winter sparrows and finches.

The Marina Garden has a small table and 3 benches, including a kid-friendly low one. The hummingbird feeder in the photo will remain out for most of the winter at the Marina as hummingbirds are possible. The gardens produced a wide variety of species in 2021, including a very rare Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper at the Marina. Caterpillars for Black Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Monarch and Variegated Fritillary were found in 2021. Visitors enjoyed the garden daily.

Brian Taber

Kiptopeke Hawkwatch Ends Season

 Hey birders,

Somehow it's the end of November. That northwest wind is chilly and I had to dig deep to find my winter gloves, goofy hat and extra hoodies. I'm not sure where the time went; It seems like only yesterday when I was welcomed to the Eastern Shore by John and Martina with accompanying tall thunder clouds, a warm bay to swim in and tanagers and orioles and flycatchers and lots and lots of warblers.

Then the raptors came …and what an unforgettable experience. I'm so glad I was able to share so many with the fabulous birders and visitors up on the hawkwatch platform. Each one of you helped me through the long, long days, spotted birds out in the blue, brought me sweet potato biscuits, shared fabulous stories, even shared local IPAs…and accepted me into the Kiptopeke family.

And the raptors kept coming. Smashing overhead at a hundred miles an hour. Gliding on stiff wings several kilometers above us. Rising up on thermals. Each day different…not really knowing what to expect.

Now the last few raptors are passing me; the occasional red-tail, a red-shoulder, of course a Harrier not following the rules…. Bald Eagles are setting up breeding territories; A red-shouldered hawk screams at the marauding crow flock; and I'm sure that male Peregrine must need a break from another pigeon meal. The last of the big robin and blackbird flocks are almost gone.

I don't think I can pick out one memory …more a kaleidoscope of images that blur from one to another, spanning the season; those Merlins dashing through the book ends; the kids holding the binoculars the "wrong way"; another Swainson's Hawk; screaming "Golden Eagle" as the first of the season soars above flat top; 1200 hawks in a day, learning that binoculars can be a fashion accessory …and the peaceful solitude first thing in the morning as a gray ghost flaps over.

Well I'm off to carry on the bird evangelism elsewhere. Off to do bird surveys near Flagstaff, AZ and Las Vegas, NV.  Please don't take Kiptopeke for granted. Tell your friends; bring those kids with the young eyes; consider volunteering on the platform; contact the State Park System and let them know how important the hawkwatch is; and more than anything, enjoy those hawks!  If you want to say hi or stay in contact, my email is birdidiot@gmail.com. I'm going to be leading a couple of bird tours to Veracruz next fall; one is full but …. Just contact me.

Final tally at the end of the season:  total raptors 19,350

Osprey 4,039

Bald Eagle 797 a new season record

Golden Eagle 8

Northern Harrier 673

Sharp-shinned Hawk 4,260

Cooper's Hawk 1,412

Northern Goshawk 1 

Broad-winged Hawk  1,336

Red-tailed Hawk 508

Red-shouldered Hawk 97

Swainson's Hawk 3

American Kestrel 4,098

Merlin 1,395

Peregrine 670

Mississippi Kite 4

Happy birding,

Steve Dougill

(Photo is with the coveted Wild Turkey Trophy for the Kiptopeke Challenge Special Venue!)

Monarch Migration Program

 Monarch migration and Monarch tagging is underway on the eastern shore of Virginia. As of 11/10, I have tagged 415 Monarchs for their migration to Mexico. Most have been tagged in Kiptopeke State Park, with a few being tagged in the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. In these locations, Monarchs have been feeding on narrowleaf sunflowers, blue mistflower, and goldenrod species. The best location for tagging and finding Monarchs has been in Kiptopeke State Park within the Sunday Fields. Unfortunately, the Sunday Fields are also home to Monarch predators, I have seen four praying mantis’s feeding on Monarchs, one which was tagged previously that day. I only have a couple weeks left in my two months stay here on the Eastern Shore and I hope to see and tag many more Monarchs!

Allison Sheldon

CVWO Monarch Biologist

Heermann's Gull

This 1st cycle Heermann's Gull was found at the Hopewell Marina on October 27th by Allen Bryan. I was lucky to see it late that day, resting alone on a log on the far shore, often with its head tucked. Many others later photographed it as close as the parking lot. The closer photo is by  Deborah Humphries on  October 31st.  In August, a Herrmann's in similar plumage was photographed at the Jamestown Ferry, about 30 miles down the James River from Hopewell...possibly the same bird?

In 2021, Heermann's were recorded in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, New Jersey and Rhode Island...an amazing array of observations, which included adult, 1st cycle and 2nd cycle birds. Heermann's normal U. S. range is the west coast.

On November 4th, a winter plumaged adult Heermann's was photographed in Virginia Beach, where an adult was recorded on May 11 as Virginia's 2nd record...could it be the same bird?

Brian Taber