Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 12-13, 2025
Yesterday’s conditions were not conducive to counting due to the passing nor’easter bringing heavy wind and steady rain to the Eastern Shore. Rain and winds cut the Sunset Beach Morning Flight Count short yesterday with just two birds counted in an hour, a Peregrine Falcon and a Black Skimmer moving south out over the bay. The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch did not fare much better in the countable windows throughout the day with only a few migratory raptors passing through. The most numerous species were Peregrine Falcons with seven counted.
Conditions at Sunset Beach were much better this morning, though still windy and damp with strong 23 mph north winds and steady drizzle. Overnight migration was negligible, and barely and land birds were moving. Rough conditions on the bay combined with the wind made for a nice morning of bay watching. Totals of 27 species and 206 individuals were counted.
Passerines were incredibly slow, highlighted by a small northbound group of three Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Red-eyed Vireo. Drizzle, low light and haze made for subpar viewing conditions on the water initially, though conditions gradually improved throughout the morning. Scoters were on the move with four Surf, 34 Black, and 66 unidentified Surf/Black Scoters counted. A first cycle Bonaparte’s Gull was a nice first of season, and a light morph adult Parasitic Jaeger was an exciting bird later in the morning.
Despite the better counting conditions, the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had an even slower day today. Raptor totals were singles of Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, four Osprey, and three Merlin. Many more Yellow-rumped Warblers were hanging around the hawkwatch, with 73 southbound and 77 northbound.
Keep up with both of CVWO’s counts with our daily migration update on Facebook, Instagram, and the CVWO Blog:
https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog-1
Follow along with our counts live every morning on our Trektellen pages:
Sunset Beach Morning Flight: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20251013
Kiptopeke Hawkwatch: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/4022/20251013
