Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 19, 2026

North-northeast winds continued today and brought another good day of migration to the Eastern Shore. At Sunset Beach, totals of 49 species and 4463 individuals were counted.

Today featured another nice blend of landbird and waterbird migrants, though reorientation morning flight was slower given the low overnight migration. The vast majority of this morning’s reverse migrants were 321 northbound Yellow-rumped Warblers, with a sprinkle of six Cape May and two each Blackpoll Warbler and Northern Parula mixed in. High House Finch numbers continue to move north over the refuge, today totaling 140. Forward migrant passerines were moving in solid numbers including 318 Blue Jays, 96 Fish Crows, 119 Red-winged Blackbirds, and 178 Brown-headed Cowbirds. Tree Swallows were streaming south high all morning with a total of 2729 counted before their swirling movements became incomprehensible.

Waterbirds were on the slower side today at Sunset, and most of the scoters moving today were extremely distant in bad shimmer rendering the majority unidentifiable. An exception was a relatively close flock of six White-winged Scoters moving north that put down on the water for a couple minutes out past the pylons, a good count of this uncommon sea duck for this early in the season. Three Brant also made a nice close pass as they worked their way up the bay. Three Northern Gannets appeared for the first time this season, a juvenile in close and two adults way out in the shimmer.

Brant

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch was slower today but still recorded a solid flight of 235 raptors. It was another good day for Cooper’s Hawks totaling 107, beating out the 80 Sharp-shinned. Fourteen Northern Harriers were also nice. Nine Pine Siskins included a flock of seven dropping in to the shrubs bordering the platform. A bizarre highlight was a Western Cattle Egret that came in low from the south between the t-pole and the platform just over the field, zipping over the north tree line and out of sight! Cattle Egrets are scarce migrants on the Eastern Shore, and only a few are seen each fall these days.

Northern Harrier

Strong north-northeasterlies continue tomorrow, and a strong liftoff of nocturnal migrants tonight across the northeast should make for an exciting day tomorrow.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261019

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 18, 2026

Strong north-northeast winds following the passage of the major cold front were excellent conditions for nocturnal and diurnal migrants alike on the Eastern Shore, and both of our counts had exciting flights with skies full of migrants and a few surprises. Totals of 79 species and 3052 individuals were counted.

The day's major excitement came at 9:22 am when hawk counter Sage Church made the call that a Swainson’s Hawk had just passed the hawkwatch moving south, and just six minutes later it appeared out to the east of Sunset Beach! This light juvenile individual was later seen moving back north towards the end of the count. The Swainson’s made no fewer than four passes at the hawkwatch today including an excellent view moving back north at 3:30 pm, suggesting this bird could still be around tomorrow.  

Swainson's Hawk

Waterbirds had a strong at Sunset Beach showing including three first-of-seasons for the count; seven Brant, eleven Northern Shovelers, and one American Wigeon. Double-crested Cormorants were streaming by in flocks throughout the morning totaling 291. Shorebirds displayed some nice late season diversity including three Black-bellied Plovers, two Greater and one Lesser Yellowlegs and 43 Dunlin, a good count for this site.

Common Loon

Dunlin

Wood Ducks

Landbird diversity was also excellent, including both a Yellow-billed and a sneaky Black-billed Cuckoo moving north. A steady northbound stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers totaled 809, with a few other typical late-season warblers mixed in. A few large flocks of House Finches out to the east totaled 192. Other passerine diversity included 45 Fish Crows, an American Pipit, two Eastern Meadowlarks, two Pine Siskins, and seven first-of-season Rusty Blackbirds. 

Pine Siskin

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch saw an amazing flight for mid-October of 1039 raptors, an impressive total well past peak migration for the site. This flight was heavily dominated by Accipitrines with Sharp-shinned Hawks taking a commanding lead of 511, many of which moved through in the early hours of the morning, and Cooper’s Hawks had their best day of the season with 328 counted, ranking in the top five flights of this species in the history of the hawkwatch.

Strong northeast winds continue tonight, and many of today’s arrivals will be able to depart. Morning flight will probably be a bit slower tomorrow, though it could be another good day at the hawkwatch with the continuing northerlies. The rest of the week's forecast will depend heavily on the track of an offshore low pressure system moving towards the Carolinas. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261018

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 17, 2026

Cold wind and rain defined today on the Eastern Shore, though conditions were still countable at Sunset Beach where totals of 22 individuals and 169 individuals were counted.

The Sunset Beach count site is reasonably sheltered from due north winds coming down the peninsula, and conditions were reasonable for most of the count before the rain picked up. More passerines were moving than expected, most of which were taking the shrub highway north in the rainy conditions. Gray Catbirds saw a bit of a resurgence in numbers totaling 31, often with several of the morning’s 11 White-throated Sparrows mixed in. There was still a bit of warbler diversity with 35 Yellow-rumped, seven Cape May, three Palm, two Blackpoll, two Northern Parula, and singles of Pine, Black-throated Green, and American Redstart counted. A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk briefly landed on one of the picnic area grills as it attempted hunting on the rainy day.

Red-shouldered Hawk

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch was largely rained out, though a few raptors were counted on and off from the morning through the mid-afternoon. Osprey dominated the rainy raptor numbers totaling 25, followed by nine Merlin and eight Cooper’s Hawk. A strong crowd of attendees braved the weather for the World Migratory Bird Day at Kiptopeke State Park festival, where CVWO Vice President Nancy Barnhart presented a talk alongside other Eastern Shore conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy while bird walks were lead around the park.

Rain is projected to clear out this evening while north winds roar all night. A significant flight of migrants is anticipated tonight in the wake of the strong cold front, and tomorrow should be an active day of migration in the cold wind.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261017

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 16, 2026

Moderate southwest winds combined with overcast skies made for a slower morning than the past couple days, lacking the strong southbound movements of passerines and raptors. Totals of 34 species and 652 individuals were counted at Sunset Beach.

Warblers were flying all around this morning at Sunset Beach, lacking much in the way of directionality in their movements as evidenced by comparable numbers of northbound and southbound Yellow-rumped Warblers, 186 and 181 respectively. Other warblers included seven Palm, three Blackpoll, two Black-and-white, one Northern Parula, and four Cape May Warblers, one of which dropped into the wax myrtle bushes and gave good views for a while as it foraged.

Cape May Warbler

The biggest surprise of the morning came when the continuing Hudsonian Godwit that has been frequenting the beaches around Kiptopeke State Park made a fast low pass over the parking lot and down to the beach! The godwit did not hang around and could not be re-found elsewhere along the beaches today. Not much else was moving at Sunset, though it was nice to see a late Baltimore Oriole moving north in with Yellow-rumps. Low numbers of waterfowl included eight Green-winged Teal mixed in with a southbound flock of scoters. Three of the morning’s six Peregrine Falcons were departing across the bay from farther north on the peninsula, perhaps jumping off from near the fishing pier.

Things were likewise fairly slow at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch with the exception of Peregrine Falcons, which accounted for 48 of the day’s 133 raptors. Osprey were moving a bit as well, totaling 32. A few non-raptor highlights included two Northern Rough-winged Swallows and a Yellow-breasted Chat.

Though temperatures soared to the upper 70’s this afternoon when the sun came out, tomorrow will be a shock to the system after a strong cold front moves in overnight bringing howling north winds, plunging temperatures, and rain. Tomorrow will likely be a weather day for one or both of our counts depending on how miserable the conditions truly are. We should hopefully see a surge of migration following the front after the rain clears out on Sunday.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261016

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 15, 2026

Winds spiked just after sunrise at Sunset Beach bringing howling northeast gusts after a calm night of active migration. The high winds seemed to subdue songbirds in morning flight, though plenty of other birds were blasting over including waterbirds and raptors. Totals of 57 species and 3826 individuals were counted at Sunset Beach.

The strong tailwind seemed to drift the southbound flightline overhead to the western bay shore. Yellow-rumped Warblers were streaming steadily south totaling 1504 south and 201 north. Few other warblers were in the mix, the runner up being 13 Blackpoll Warblers of which most were northbound. Typically northeasterly winds mean a more easterly flightline given that birds in morning flight tend to tack into the wind, though today a fair number of reorienting migrants were also on the overhead flightline as they battled the winds.

Waterfowl movements were fairly slow today, though were highlighted by the season’s first Greater Scaup. Other waterbirds were moving in much greater numbers, including a nice later season push of southbound White Ibis totaling 333, and Double-crested Cormorants moving steadily as well with 153. Small flocks of Great Blue Herons were moving over very high as well tallying 58. The hen Common Eider also continued by the northern pound nets. A Common Nighthawk up over the campground at sunrise was a late surprise.

The northeast winds brought an excellent flight of 909 raptors to the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, highlighted by a very strong movement of 303 Cooper’s Hawks. This is the sixth highest day record for Cooper’s Hawks at this site. Sharp-shinned Hawks put up a respectable fight but took home a rare loss to their larger cousins with a total of 239. Merlins took third for the day with 119. A total of 152 was also a good day for Great Blue Herons at the hawkwatch. After a weeklong absence, an adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird was a nice surprise, as males typically migrate before females and immature hummingbirds.

Southwest winds and warm temperatures return tomorrow before a major weather shift over the weekend bringing cold, strong wind, and rain chances. Pre-frontal days like tomorrow are sometimes slow, though on occasion the southwesterlies trigger interesting movements ahead of the arriving front.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261015

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 14, 2026

Southwest winds brought a very active southbound flight today at Sunset Beach, and good numbers of raptors were moving into the light winds at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch. Totals of 49 species and 5317 individuals were counted.

Passerines were streaming into the wind all morning, heavily dominated by 3260 southbound Yellow-rumped Warblers. The flight picked up very quickly out to the east over the refuge and highway and continued throughout the first hour, trailing off in the second hour. As Yellow-rumped numbers slowed, warbler diversity picked up, and other species including 13 Blackpoll, 11 Cape May, five Northern Parula, four Black-and-white, two Black-throated Blue, and singles of American Redstart and Palm were also predominately southbound. Blue Jays and House Finches also featured prominently in the southbound movement, totaling 753 and 230 respectively. Woodpecker numbers were subdued overall, with 20 Northern Flickers being the most numerous.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Peregrine Falcon

The Chesapeake Bay also produced southbound migrants, the most numerous of which were 122 Black Scoters, a good count for this site. Surf Scoters totaled 20, and two Northern Pintail were the only other ducks counted. A Common Eider was a nice surprise bobbing in the waves to the north of the count site, possibly the same individual found in Cape Charles several days prior. The early eider was nicely juxtaposed with the now record late Mississippi Kite that appeared out to the east in the fourth hour as it kettled up with seven Broad-winged Hawks and other raptor miscellanea. Audrey’s detection of the kite later on at the Kiptopeke Royal Farms suggests that it once again declined to set off across the bay.

Black and Surf Scoters

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a good flight totaling 443 raptors. The southerly element to the winds kept birds lower for the first part of the day before the flightline shifted east in the afternoon. Accipitrine hawks ruled the count, with 141 Sharp-shinned and 119 Cooper’s Hawks.  The Hudsonian Godwit continued today on the beach on both the south and north side of the fishing pier.

Southwest winds tonight shift more northerly by dawn and will be out of the northeast throughout the day under overcast skies, which should make for a hopefully interesting morning flight and good day at the hawkwatch.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261014

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 13, 2026

Light northwest winds overnight brought a significant flight of migrants to the Eastern Shore. Diversity and numbers alike were strong today, and totals of 69 species and 3276 individuals were counted.

The light winds made for a hectic start to the morning, and warblers were swirling overhead calling high as they descended from high, making counting a challenge. The typical overhead northbound flightline slowly materialized throughout the flight as birds gained their bearings. Yellow-rumped Warblers were the exception as is typical, and 508 were southbound throughout the day in small groups and only 208 were northbound with the other warblers, mostly in the first two hours. Northern Parulas made a solid later season push with 126, alongside more modest numbers of 40 Cape May, 27 Palm, and 19 Blackpoll Warblers.

Other diversity at Sunset was also quite good, including 32 Ruby and nine Golden-crowned Kinglets, the best numbers for the season so far. Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to trickle north with five, and Blue Jays were a constant presence totaling 952 southbound. Woodpeckers had a good showing today with 164 Northern Flickers, 26 Red-bellied Woodpeckers, six Red-headed Woodpeckers, four Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and a high-flying Downy Woodpecker moving south. The season’s first six Surf Scoters were counted, all in a single southbound flock. Three Dickcissels was also a good count.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a nice flight today as well, including a solid later season push of 48 Osprey. The lingering Mississippi Kite miraculously continued as well.  A few non-raptor highlights included the largest Blue Jay flight of the season so far with 1314 southbound individuals counted. A Dickcissel dropping in to the gap was also a treat.

We always expect the unexpected on the Eastern Shore, but nobody anticipated a Hudsonian Godwit hanging out on the Kiptopeke SP Beach! This juvenile may well have never seen humans before, and it seemed perfectly content to feast on mole crabs within just a couple feet of observers. The clear, calm conditions are not typically associated with an offshore migrant like this away from regular stopover sites, and it seems possible this individual came in off the ocean yesterday with the strong easterly winds.

Hudsonian Godwit

Hudsonian Godwit

Monarch CVWO-Sage

Southwest winds return tomorrow along with warmer temperatures, and migration will surely slow as a result. These winds could keep birds from today in place, or bring in more unexpected visitors.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261013

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 12, 2026

Winds were roaring out of the northwest this morning, but southwesterlies all night stifled overnight migration and made for a slow morning. Totals of 24 species and 209 individuals were counted. 

Despite the strong northwesterlies, the lack of overnight liftoff made for very light morning flight overall for the date. Most birds were northbound into the wind as expected, including the majority of the day’s 51 Yellow-rumped Warblers, nine Blackpoll Warblers, four Northern Parulas and one Cape May Warbler. An Eastern Meadowlark was also nice to see moving north, the second sighting this season. A few raptors were moving around including 12 Cooper’s Hawks and 10 Osprey. Five Great Blue Herons were seen moving south high up.

Blackpoll Warbler

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch was likewise slow with 74 raptors counted, and 18 Sharp-shinned Hawks being the most numerous species followed closely by 14 Cooper’s. A high flock of 45 scoters far out to the east of the count site over the seaside was a first-of-season for any of the three scoter species.

Up in Cape Charles, two early north Atlantic waterbird species have frequented the harbor over the past two days, a Common Eider and up to two Great Cormorants. Both of these species are scarce away from their usual wintering areas around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel islands at the mouth of the bay. The strong easterlies may have brought them farther up the bay yesterday, and it will be interesting to see how long they hang around.

Great Cormorant

Tomorrow holds much more promise following a strong liftoff tonight and light northwesterlies overnight and into the morning. Tomorrow could be one of the last days of some modest warbler diversity in morning flight before the truly staggering Yellow-rumped Warblers drown out the others. Hawkwatching will probably also be good given the lighter winds and clearer skies.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261012

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 11, 2026

Strong east-southeast winds and light rain associated with the passing remnants of Hurricane Isaias made for a slow morning at Sunset Beach. Things picked up a bit at the hawkwatch later on with another good showing of Peregrine Falcons. Totals of 14 species and 55 individuals were counted.

Having had a very dry season so far, today’s 45-minute rain delay for the count was a first for 2026. Though the Eastern Shore did not get much rainfall in total from the tropical system, the strong winds and blowing rain made for challenging counting conditions to start. The flight was quite subdued by the adverse weather overall, and very little was moving over the Chesapeake Bay. The few highlights were unsurprisingly waterbirds, including one Short-billed Dowitcher, three Dunlin, and four Northern Pintail. Huge clouds of Tree Swallows were swarming around the area and were frequently harassed by Merlins making for impressive spectacles.

Northern Pintails

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a better go of things for most of the day before rain to the north shut down the raptor activity. Peregrine Falcons had another good day totaling 29, though few other raptors were on the move. Four Northern Rough-winged and three Barn Swallows were nice to see for the date, bringing a touch of diversity to the scores of Trees. Continuing the streak of successful Monarch tracking, the sixteenth tracked monarch of the season, CVWO-Baxter, was captured, tagged, and released by Monarch specialist Audrey Anderson! You can follow along with all of our tagged Monarch journeys using the Project Monarch app.

Fairly strong southwest winds tomorrow switch to northwest by the afternoon, calming down by the evening. Though migration will probably be generally slow, southwesterlies sometimes have interesting potential for bay watching and could always bring something surprising up the shore.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261011

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 9, 2026

There was a good liftoff of nocturnal migrants last night with light northeasterly winds. The lack of stronger winds made for an interesting morning flight consisting of many high birds moving all over the sky in both directions, and many backlit warblers out to the east. Despite the challenging flight, there was good diversity and solid numbers, with 67 species and 2809 individuals counted at Sunset Beach.

Today marked the arrival of high Yellow-rumped Warbler numbers on the Eastern Shore, a true harbinger of late fall and winter. Most of the Yellow-rumps were high southbound birds with the calm winds totaling 422, though there were still 160 in typical northbound morning flight. Other warbler numbers were fairly diminished by comparison, though 41 Cape May, 32 Northern Parula, and 26 Blackpoll Warblers were respectable totals amid a frustrating 213 warbler sp., largely high backlit birds in the east.

Non-warblers provided the bulk of today's diversity. A light flight of five northbound Red-breasted Nuthatches was nice to see in an off year for the species. Likewise, a second early Pine Siskin passed overhead this morning, perhaps hinting at larger numbers yet to come. Two northbound Dickcissels were well-heard at different points in the morning. The season’s first American Pipit was also heard well as it moved over. Strong Blue Jay numbers continue, today totaling 367. Southbound blackbird flocks were also a fixture of the morning, consisting of 230 Red-winged, 197 Brown-headed Cowbird, and 38 Common Grackle. Waterbirds were represented by four northbound Wood Ducks and a southbound Common Loon.

Common Loon

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Things were slow to start today at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, though by the late afternoon and evening an excellent flight of Peregrine Falcons was underway. Incredibly, Peregrines were the most numerous raptor counted today reaching 144, one of the best counts for the species at the hawkwatch in recent years! Remarkably, the continuing Mississippi Kite was also seen, quickly approaching the latest report for this species in Virginia.

Light easterly winds will likely make for a slower morning flight, though we are getting to the time of year when lighter winds can make for great southbound landbird flights. Tomorrow may be another interesting day at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch as well.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261008

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 8, 2026

Stronger southwesterly winds came in overnight, stalling out overnight migration and bringing somewhat warmer temperatures to the area today. Sunset Beach morning flight was slow, with totals of 21 species and 153 individuals were counted.

Not much was moving this morning at Sunset Beach on the steady southwesterlies. The slight trickle was primarily southbound into the wind, with Yellow-rumped being the most numerous with 18. There were a few raptors moving into the wind, including a migrating juvenile tundra type Peregrine Falcon. Other falcons were clearly finding something to eat around the area on the windy day, and both a Peregrine and a Merlin were seen eating unidentified passerines on the wing while floating into the wind.

Tundra Peregrine Falcon

Raptors continued on the move at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch. Birds were lower on the southerly winds, and falcons had a decent little push in the afternoon. One notable sighting at the hawkwatch was a very late Orchard Oriole in the shrubs around the platform and checking out the hummingbird feeder, typically one of the earliest migrants to depart the area and not expected past early September. Twenty-two American White Pelicans were also spotted out to the seaside as they drifted north, always an unexpected surprise on any given day on the Eastern Shore but fairly regular in later fall.

Orchard Oriole

Northerly winds return overnight, which should hopefully bring a good flight of nocturnal migrants to the area tomorrow. Winds are forecasted to remain light out of the northeast with cloud cover throughout the day, which should make for good hawkwatching.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261007

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 7, 2026

Light easterly winds and clear skies made for a somewhat slower morning at Sunset Beach, though as always there were still some birds on the move including a few more first-of-seasons. Totals of 45 species and 1608 individuals were counted.

Today featured the expected blend of light morning flight and forward migration associated with a calm day following a significant flight two nights ago, with generally diminished numbers and diversity compared to yesterday. Both nocturnal and diurnal migrants were moving in both directions as birds milled around the tip of the peninsula on very light winds. The most numerous migrant counted was Blue Jay, totaling 571 southbound and 228 northbound individuals as flocks streamed by towards the tip of the peninsula while others reversed course. There was a modest flight of 90 Northern Flickers as well, 75 of which were southbound. Yellow-rumped Warblers were primarily southbound, with 119 south and 24 northbound. By contrast, 44 of the day’s 50 Northern Parulas were northbound. First-of-seasons for the count were represented by six northbound Eastern Meadowlarks and a northbound calling Pine Siskin.

Eastern Meadowlark

Magnolia Warbler

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a solid flight, similar to yesterday but slower overall, totaling 477 raptors. There were more pockets of low birds today for a bit of change of pace. In keeping with previous days, Sharp-shinned Hawks led the flight with 164, followed by 111 American Kestrels, and 107 Cooper’s Hawks. Of note, the hawkwatch cracked a thousand Blue Jays, totaling 1095.

Cooper's Hawk

Blue Jays

5 new Monarchs were captured released with BlūMorpho transmitters today. These new additions are CVWO-Sabrina, CVWO-Tammy, CVWO-Kristen, CVWO-Aharon, and CVWO-Ariella. CVWO-NonnieWayOut was deployed yesterday making 6 total active monarchs on the shore. Favorable Northeast winds are predicted Friday so this Monarch posse may utilize these conditions to move south and cross the bay. In the meantime, CVWO-Stephen has made significant progress and is now South of Raleigh, NC. His journey now totals 287 km in a direct line from Kiptopeke State Park.

Southwest winds overnight should stall out most nocturnal migration, though if winds are light during the day a few raptors could be moving and flying lower. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261007

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 6, 2026

The cold front provided an incredible diversity of migrants on this crisp and clear October day, and the northerlies made for a high and challenging but fun raptor flight with a standout rarity. Totals of 91 species and 2506 individuals were counted at Sunset Beach.

This was a record-setting morning in terms of overall diversity at Sunset Beach with 91 species of migrants and a total of 100 species of birds including residents in five hours of counting! A little bit of just about everything was moving this morning. There were a handful of first-of-seasons for the count including two Ring-necked Ducks, seven Dunlin, five Golden-crowned Kinglets, one each of Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Song and Swamp Sparrow, two White-throated Sparrows, and four Dark-eyed Juncos. Seeing these winter arrivals alongside early season migrants like Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Northern Yellow Warbler emphasizes just how diverse early October is on the Eastern Shore.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Black-throated Green Warbler

White Ibis

Black-throated Blue Warbler

While no species was present in extraordinarily high numbers, several birds still had good flights including the first notable push of Red-bellied Woodpeckers, 12 southbound and 25 northbound of which were counted interspersed with a nice flight of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, totaling eight south and 25 north. Modest Blue Jay numbers continued with 245 mostly southbound. Northern Parulas continue to be the most numerous warbler with 108, closely trailed by 78 Yellow-rumped Warblers.  

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a very active day with a great flight of 1030 total raptors. For most of the day starting predawn the flight was punishingly high, and oftentimes raptors would simply materialize as specks into view while scanning the blue. American Kestrels totaled 349, and Sharp-shinned Hawks also showed strongly with 274. Cooper's Hawks were also numerous totaling 157. The major highlight came towards the end of the day at 5:15 when a dark immature Swainson’s Hawk was spotted high to the northwest of the platform! The Swainson’s circled for several minutes giving great views to all before setting its wings and tracking high to the south. Notably, Cape May Bird Observatory Hawkwatch recorded two Swainson’s Hawks today including one dark immature, so this could plausibly be the first of their two birds continuing on its way some 134 miles south and 6.5 hours later.

Swainson's Hawk

Monarch NonnieWayOut with transmitter

Light easterly winds tomorrow shifting southeast will probably make for a slower morning flight, though the conditions could still be good for a nice movement of raptors.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261006

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 5, 2026

North winds and high overcast skies accompanied an active day of visible migration on the Eastern Shore. New high counts were obtained for two passerine migrants at Sunset Beach and raptor movements built throughout the day at the hawkwatch. Totals of 67 species and 3516 individuals were counted.

The birds of the day today at Sunset Beach were iconic early October species. Gray Catbirds had a strong flight with 404 counted as they shot north through the shrubs. Even more notable was the flight of 147 Blackpoll Warblers. Blackpolls are champion offshore migrants, performing over-ocean flights from the mid-Atlantic coast to South America. This count is nearly triple historical peak counts at this site, and a mere 20 were counted in the entire 2025 season. The recent drizzly nights and northeast winds may have brought higher numbers of this species to shore in recent days. Several other warblers appeared in good numbers as well including 29 Common Yellowthroat, 27 American Redstart, 34 Cape May Warbler, and 78 Northern Parula.

Blackpoll Warbler

Other migrants had a strong showing at Sunset Beach as well, including a Gray-cheeked/Bicknell’s Thrush giving a high call early on, a good showing of nine Belted Kingfishers, an unusual wood-pewee showing a dark lower mandible, and the late lingering Mississippi Kite out over the refuge. Four Baltimore Orioles was a good count for the date, and eleven Indigo Buntings was the best count for the season so far.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had a nice flight including a classic evening falcon flight kicking into gear later in the day. American Kestrels were the most numerous overall species totaling 238, followed by 190 Merlin, and 45 Peregrine Falcons were also a good count. Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers have yet to fully materialize, and only 87 were counted today.

A cold front pushing through the area tonight seems poised to bring a slew of arrivals to the area tomorrow, though northeasterly winds will trim down the totals of overnight migrants before dawn. It should still be a very active if chilly morning at Sunset Beach, hopefully followed by a great raptor flight.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261005

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 3, 2026

Northeast winds and heavy overcast skies with the arriving cold front made for an active day of migration on the Eastern Shore. Warblers were moving in fair numbers with an uptick in diversity, and raptors and waterfowl showed strongly as well. Totals of 52 species and 537 individuals were counted at Sunset Beach.

Despite the northeast winds, the flight path for the majority of reorienting migrants was directly overhead, allowing for closer studies of warblers than is typical for days with this wind setup. A significant proportion of the flight consisted of more Appalachian type migrant warblers, including 39 Cape May, six Black-throated Green, four Tennessee, and singles of Chestnut-sided and Blackburnian Warbler. Other passerine diversity was fairly lacking, but two Eastern Wood-Pewees and an eastern Phoebe coming in off the bay were also counted.

Tennessee Warbler

Eastern Phoebe

Waterfowl had their best day yet with good diversity and numbers. Northern Pintail were the most numerous duck counted with several small flocks amounting to 61 in total. Blue-winged Teal tallied 25, and small numbers of American Wigeon mixed with pintail added up to 10. Two Lesser Scaup were also counted, on the earlier side for this diving duck. Sterna terns were on the move out over the bay consisting of 48 Forster’s and 43 Common, a good count for the latter species at this date. Raptors were consistently streaming over low under the clouds, highlighted by good counts of 61 American Kestrel and 14 Northern Harriers.

Raptor activity remained steady for most of the day at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch. Good totals of 287 American Kestrel, 214 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 119 Merlin, and 107 Cooper’s Hawk were obtained. Non raptors were also exciting with a clear highlight being a high flock of 16 American Golden-Plovers southbound out towards the bay. Fifty-six Great Blue Herons was a good count, as were the 90 Northern Pintail with 15 American Wigeon mixed in. Two Common Nighthawks passed over in the late afternoon, fairly late in the season for this species.

Tomorrow has interesting potential with a strong migrant liftoff tonight and chances of rain throughout the night into tomorrow. If rain holds off, it could be a good day at both Sunset Beach and the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261003

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 2, 2026

Southwest winds made for a slow night of nocturnal migration, and a slow morning flight. There were a fair number of waterbirds migrating out over the Chesapeake Bay along with a good early morning raptor liftoff. Totals of 37 species and 536 individuals were counted.

Most of the birds counted this morning were Forster’s Terns, which were shooting south in tight flocks low over the water totaling 130, with the largest flock being 70. A few other terns were also on the move including 23 Commons and 6 Sandwich. Three groups of Blue-winged Teal totaled 43, and one Green-winged Teal was heading north close in off the beach. American Kestrels had a nice liftoff with 38 counted. The Cooper’s to Sharp-shinned Hawk ratio was rather high, with eight coops and fourteen sharpies. Passerines were on the slower side overall. Cape May Warblers were the most abundant warbler species with 10. Blue Jays had another little push with 125 southbound and 36 northbound.

It was a somewhat slower day at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, but the southwest winds were keeping things low down giving good views throughout the day. American Kestrels had the best numbers totaling 127, and Sharp-shinned Hawks totaled 89. Peregrine Falcons had a good count with 21, many of which were adults coming in fairly low.

Merlin

Peregrine Falcon

Northern Harrier

In Monarch news, there are currently 3 active transmitting Monarchs. The newest addition, CVWO-BrianSoar, was released late this morning from the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, his last transmission for the day was off of US13 as he headed south of Kiptopeke State Park. CVWO-Connor released on 9/27 is still north of Roanoke Rapids, NC. CVWO-Stephen, released on 9/28 is now north of Lexington Park, MD after riding the Southwest winds north from Cape Charles. Three Monarchs in almost three different states! You can view live updates of these Monarch’s progress south to their wintering grounds on the Project Monarch app or website.

A cold front moves into the area tomorrow morning, bringing cooler temperatures and some chances for overnight rain. Depending on the rain, there could be good overnight migration, and northeast winds tomorrow will probably make for a good raptor flight. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261002

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 1, 2026

Happy October! The first day of the month was on the quieter side at Sunset Beach on light southwesterlies, though there were still a handful of warblers moving alongside some signs of the transition to the third quarter of fall migration. Totals of 44 species and 974 individuals were counted.

Southwesterly winds made for more forward migration than typical in nocturnal migrants, and even splits of northbound and southbound individuals were achieved for the day’s 30 Northern Flickers and 20 Northern Parulas. Early morning raptor liftoff was fairly strong following yesterday’s big flight, and 60 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 39 American Kestrels. A lingering Mississippi Kite appeared once again after a several day absence, marking one of few October records on the Eastern Shore.

Raptors were pushing south into the wind at the hawkwatch today, and Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels both had solid counts with 244 and 260 respectively. Birds were moving through low all day, including a few of the day’s 20 Peregrine Falcons. One of the more notable migratory movements today was the arrival of Blue Jays in numbers, totaling 158 southbound and 101 northbound at Sunset and 193 southbound and one northbound at the hawkwatch. Blue Jays are an irruptive boreal migrant, and numbers vary year-to-year based on acorn crops. Jays did not irrupt last year, and Sunset Beach counted only 43 the entire season. It will be interesting to track jay movements on the Eastern Shore this fall given few other boreal species are irrupting, though the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch did log its first Red-breasted Nuthatch of the season today.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Merlin

Winds are out of the south again tomorrow, bringing with them more warm temperatures. A large flight of migrants is not anticipated, though more raptors may continue to push on.  Tomorrow will be the last warmer day ahead of a cold front with rain chances tomorrow night through the weekend.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20260930

Eastern Shore Migration Update: September 30, 2026

Very light northwest winds and clearing skies made for an active morning of migration at Sunset Beach, with totals of 55 species and 1075 individuals counted.

It felt like a little bit of everything was moving today at Sunset Beach during the very calm conditions. Warblers did well for the calm conditions, and 89 Northern Parulas were most numerous. Six Northern Waterthrushes were the most counted in a little while. Yellow-rumped Warblers increased also with six, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets totaled four. A Dickcissel gave two distinctive flight calls as it moved south. Raptors were active as well highlighted by a solid flight of 64 Sharp-shinned Hawks. Four Yellow-billed Cuckoos were counted, the first that have been around in some time. The season’s first Wood Ducks were also counted, a southbound and northbound drake.

Osprey

Northern Flicker

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Northern Harrier

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch saw nearly nonstop action all day during an excellent flight of 1577 raptors with birds all over the sky. Some raptors were finding thermals and soaring up incredibly high, while others seemed to be contending more with the light southerly winds and were coming over throughout the day at treetop height. Sharp-shinned Hawks had their first big flight of the year totaling 770, and American Kestrels also showed strongly with 410. Northern Harriers were surprisingly in third place coming in at 93, and many gave excellent views over the platform. High Bald Eagles were a steady presence throughout and brought the day’s total to 50, a very good count for the site.

Radar indicates a strong local liftoff of nocturnal migrants tonight, though southwest winds will probably keep migration limited. If winds remain light through the day it could be a good day at the hawkwatch, though with diminished numbers as fewer raptors migrate into the headwind.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20260930

Eastern Shore Migration Update: September 29, 2026

Winds were almost completely calm today at Sunset Beach, and with little overnight wind drift, few migrants were exhibiting morning flight. There was a fair bit of activity around the count site throughout the morning under overcast skies. Uncommon migrant highlights included two Bay-breasted Warblers, one Nashville Warbler, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. A northbound Ruby-crowned Kinglet and two southbound Yellow-rumped Warblers were also counted, both sure signs that mid-fall is upon us.

It was an active day at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, with a high raptor flight highlighted by of the best count of Sharp-shinned Hawks this season to date, tallying  236. Northern Harriers also had a good flight with 23. Monarchs were the talk of the town today, and these butterflies were in fact the most abundant migratory species counted at either of our sites! The majority of Monarchs at Sunset Beach were northbound totaling 155 before the flight began to switch to southbound towards the end of the third hour with 21 counted. The hawkwatch had primarily southbound Monarchs, with 422 moving south and 24 moving north.

Gray Catbird

CVWO now has two Project Monarch trackers currently active! CVWO-Connor was released from Kiptopeke State Park on 9/27 and CVWO-Stephen was released on 9/28. Stephen is currently on the shore, after taking a brief spin south to the ESNWR and Sunset Beach, it headed north of Kiptopeke where it transmitted from Bulter’s Bluff Road this evening. Connor arrived across the bay last night and worked its way southwest throughout the day heading towards Roanoke Rapids, NC. You can view live updates of these Monarch’s progress south to their wintering grounds on the Project Monarch app or website.

Monarch

Light south winds are forecasted for tomorrow, which may slow down migration overall though some birds should continue to move into the wind provided it stays light. Temperatures are expected to build this week for a warm finish to September.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20260929