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