Raptorthon

Today, April 7, 2010, College Creek Hawkwatch participated in the "Spring Raptorthon," an event sponsored by the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA), to raise funds and also awareness, of the need for raptor conservation. We send our hawkwatch data daily to the HMANA electronic database at Hawkcount.org. HMANA also publishes periodic reports on the status of raptors across the continent, using such data. It is a great organization.

The Observatory is sending a donation to HMANA for the Raptorthon and we are also asking those of you who are concerned about raptor conservation to send a donation on behalf of our efforts today. If you would like to help, please send a check, in any amount, made payable to HMANA, to me at 103 Exeter Court, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185, by April 20, 2010.

Thanks for your support of our raptors!

As for our day today...temperatures were near record highs, in the 90s F. and the skies were very hazy across the river... but we managed 5 species...6 Turkey Vultures, 2 Ospreys, 2 Bald Eagles, a Northern Harrier and an American Kestrel. The extreme heat is expected to break tomorrow night and we expect the good hawk flights to resume with a new weather system!

Pictured are Bill Williams and Shirley Devan, wearing Observatory gear!

Brian Taber

1,000th Bird at College Creek

Our 2nd Merlin of the College Creek Hawkwatch season just missed being the 1,000th bird of the season, which was...not surprisingly...a Turkey Vulture. Bill Williams had just left and so missed the champagne celebration! The sky was very hazy and the flight was modest...12 Turkey Vultures, 4 Ospreys, 2 Northern Harriers, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, an American Kestrel and a Merlin.

We always track the date of the 1,000th bird to see how the migration season is progressing. That date for 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was April 13th, May 13th (latest), April 2nd (earliest), April 11th and April 19th respectively...so we are ahead of the usual pace.

Brian Taber

Tagged Vulture and Pine Elfin

There were two unusual observations at College Creek Hawkwatch today. This tagged Black Vulture was nearby, along the river, feasting on a snapping turtle...we'll try to find out more about it...and...a seldom-seen, very small, very early season butterfly, an Eastern Pine Elfin, appeared right at our feet.

And, though quite distant, a bird that was likely a Boat-tailed Grackle, crossed the river headed north. Last May, we recorded our first of that species and wondered if they are pioneering in our area.

Brian Taber

No Foolin!

April Fool's Day turned out to be an excellent flight day...the 3rd best daily total in our 14 seasons....139. Light southeast winds and temperatures over 70 F pushed 30 Ospreys, 6 Black Vultures, 2 Bald Eagles, 5 Northern Harriers, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 3 American Kestrels, a Cooper's Hawk and 89 Turkey Vultures across the river and mostly right overhead! The flight lasted about 3 hours.

We also saw our first Caspian Tern of the season and heard our first Yellow-throated Warbler today. Hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants and Tree Swallows were also moving north.

I don't know which old ship this is....but it was headed upriver past us toward Jamestown.

Brian Taber

College Creek Hawkwatch March Total

In typical March fashion, the flights and weather were wildly up-and-down. After an excellent start to the month, the last 7 days saw only 80 birds tallied...64 of those today, on March 31st! The March total of 643 compares to March totals of 690, 495 and 730 for 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively.

The season total of 786 is a little ahead of the usual pace.

Today, we saw 2 Northern Harriers, 2 American Kestrels and 8 Ospreys, in addition to the 52 Turkey Vultures that struggled across the river in the strong northwest wind. The wind is forecast to be much less tomorrow, with temperatures near 80 F. so a strong flight is predicted.

We also saw our first Purple Martin cross the river today.

Brian Taber

Wasp Nests and GPS

Gary Driscole and I canoed and hiked Dragon Run today, in King and Queen County, cleaning wasp nests from Prothonotary Warbler nest boxes, adding a box and re-locating some others. Gary also set the GPS points for all 11 boxes. Last season, 6 of the 10 boxes hosted Prothonotaries.

The project is a joint effort of the Observatory, Friends of Dragon Run and the Historic Rivers Chapter of Master Naturalists. For more information about the pristine river, there is a Friends of Dragon Run link on the links section of this website.

Brian Taber

Red-shouldereds and Rough-wingeds at College Creek Hawkwatch

Fred Blystone and Alice and Sig Kopinitz (photo) were on hand today at the College Creek Hawkwatch for our first Red-shouldered Hawks of the season....two immature birds only one minute apart....low and right overhead! The species breeds around here, but we usually also see a few crossing the river in migration each season at the hawkwatch...totals for the past 6 years are only 1, 3, 6, 6, 2 and 5, so it's always exciting.

The weather was warm and the flight was decent...45 birds of 7 species.

We also saw our first Northern Rough-winged Swallows today.

Brian Taber

Cooper's Hawks at College Creek Hawkwatch

Yesterday, March 9th, we recorded our first Cooper's Hawks of the season, with 2 birds...and today we broke our daily record for Cooper's with 8 more. The record had been 7. Another Cooper's was sitting in a tree near the hawkwatch when I arrived and so not counted, since it wasn't seen crossing the river. They are clearly on the move in this area. As a comparison, our entire season totals for Cooper's over 13 previous seasons has ranged from 2-41, though the second highest was only 25. Totals for 2008 and 2009 were 9 and 13 respectively.

Today's flight was very exciting, with 60 of the 71 birds coming in less than one hour, as the sun broke through heavy overcast. It clouded up again and the flight ended as abruptly as it started.

Today's totals: 52 Turkey Vultures, 2 Ospreys, 3 Bald Eagles, 1 Northern Harrier, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 8 Cooper's Hawks and a Red-tailed Hawk.

Seven species is good diversity for the early season.

Thanks to Shirley Devan today for her help in finding birds!

Last evening, waterfowl migration was heavy, too, with 1,000+ Canada Geese and 100+ Tundra Swans over my yard here in Williamsburg at dusk.

Also, at the hawkwatch today was an early Royal Tern.

Brian Taber

Good Day at College Creek Hawkwatch

There are few 100+ bird days at the hawkwatch, so today's 95 was very good, especially for the early season: 4 Black Vultures, 78 Turkey Vultures, 1 Osprey, 1 Bald Eagle, 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 7 Red-tailed Hawks...the daily Red-tailed record is 9.

Recent bright sun and moderate winds have produced excellent conditions for migration. Over the past several days, we have seen Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, Bonaparte's Gulls, Forster's Terns, Tree Swallows, Greater Yellowlegs, Fish Crows, lots of blackbird and gull flocks....and our first butterfly today, a Sleepy Orange.

The March total is 210 with only 5 days of coverage...the season total is 353.

Brian Taber

Glaucous Gull

This gorgeous 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was on the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth today, at a location not open to the public.

Brian Taber

College Creek Hawkwatch Underway

The 14th consecutive season of the hawkwatch began on February 12th. This is the only regular late winter/spring hawkwatch in Virginia. It's located on the Colonial Parkway, on the James River, 3 miles southeast of Williamsburg. Birds are counted as they cross the river. The February total of 138 on 9 days of coverage is pretty typical for the early season.....125 Turkey Vultures, 3 Black Vultures, 3 Bald Eagles, 6 Red-tailed Hawks and an early American Kestrel. Bald Eagles are seen daily, though usually fishing and are not counted unless they display migratory behavior. The weather has included high winds and snow. March will see better weather, many more birds and greater species diversity.

We usually find our first Osprey in the last 10 days of February, but didn't this year.

Results will be posted on the Hawkcount.org site and regular updates will appear on this Blog and on the VA List Serve.

Vistors are welcome. Please contact me for more information about the site.

Brian Taber

Varied Thrush, Herndon, Feb 15, 2010

Brian Taber

Common, but....

....on a sunny, snowy day pretty handsome!

Brian Taber

Rusty Blackbird Blitz

Here are some of the 38 Rusty Blackbirds found on Feb 5, 2010, during the Blitz surveys at Greensprings Trail in James City County...for more info on the Blitz and the population troubles of this species, see the article on VA eBird. CVWO is a co-sponsor of the effort.

Brian Taber

American Pipits, Feb 1, 2010

The Colonial Parkway, along the James River at College Creek, near Williamsburg, is a reliable place to find American Pipits after a snowstorm.

Brian Taber

Snow/Sleet Storm Jan 30, 2010

Birds had a tough time finding food, during the 7 inch snow/sleet storm here in Williamsburg, including the female Northern Cardinal, above, who was reduced to eating Oregon Grape Holly flowers.

Brian Taber

Seaside Hawkwatch

Since our new Seaside Hawkwatch is on a part of Eastern Shore of VA National Wildlife Refuge not open to the public, here are some views looking, from the top, east,west,south and north. It's located in a saltmarsh about 3 miles east of Kiptopeke. Hawks moving down the east side of the peninsula are not visible from the Kiptopeke hawkwatch. A report comparing the two sites for fall 2009 is being prepared.

Brian Taber

Find the Cowbird!

...blackbird flock, Northampton County, Nov 30, 2009.

Brian Taber

Snow Bunting

This bird was at the Kiptopeke pier, November 16, 2009.

Brian Taber

Saltmarsh Sparrow

On November 15, 2009, just after the November 10-14th nor'easter, this tired bird was at Eastern Shore of VA National Widlife Refuge.

Brian Taber

More on the Staunton Sand-Plover

To go along with the comments below saying "definately" Greater, additional comments by Martin Garner, posted on the VA List Serve, indicate "slam dunk" Mongolian!

Black Tern, James River

This was one of a flock of 20+ birds feeding along the James River shoreline recently in Portsmouth.

Brian Taber

Staunton Sand-Plover

Distant view of the Sand-Plover. Erik Hirschfeld, co-author of a sand-plover identification paper in April 2000 BRITISH BIRDS, who was shown photos, said (e-mail was posted on the VA List Serve) it was "definately" a Greater Sand-Plover.

Brian Taber

Staunton Sand-Plover

Observers in pouring rain on Sept 8.

Brian Taber

Unusual Gull

This gull was relocated after 2 weeks...here are 9 more images.

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull

Unusual Gull, flying over Lesser Black-backed

Counts start at Kiptopeke and Seaside Hawkwatches

Hi all,

Yesterday saw the beginning of another hawk migration season at Kiptopeke State Park, home to CVWO's main hawk count . This fall a second site on the ocean side of the peninsula will have coverage most days (Seaside Hawk Watch). So far the migration has been greatly dominated by Ospreys including 142 on the opening day at the state park with just a smattering of other birds noted.

Regular updates on the hawk counts will be posted to the VA List Serve and all hawkcount data is entered at the Hawkcount.org site.

Calvin Brennan

Unusual Gull Pic 2

Unusual Gull

This gull, an adult or near-adult, next to a great Black-backed, is the size of a Herring Gull, has pinkish legs, a very dark mantle, appears to have a dark line through the eye and has some dark markings or perhaps even debris on the bill.

If you would like to send comments about it to Taberzz@aol.com please do.

The location is not being disclosed at this time.

Brian Taber

Annual Butterfly Count

Yesterday, on July 19th, the Observatory held its 11th consecutive summer butterfly count at the tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore (using the count circle for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count). The final results are not taillied yet, but here is a picture of a rarity we found...one of 7 Juniper Hairstreaks in just the Kiptopeke section....and a photo of count compiler Lyn Davidson addressing the great turnout.

Brian Taber

Roseate Spoonbill near Waynesboro, June 18, 2009

Brian Taber

Franklin's Gull

Franklin's Gull at Jamestown Ferry

A "second summer" Franklin's Gull was at the Jamestown Ferry today, June 12, 2009. Though not perfect images, the pictures show upperwing and underwing patterns and the large white eye crescents which join behind the eye.

Brian Taber

College Creek Hawkwatch 09 Season Ends

College Creek Hawkwatch has completed its 13th consecutive season. The site, located on the James River, 3 miles east of Williamsburg, is the only regular late winter and spring hawkwatch in Virginia. The four regular volunteers, Tom Armour, Fred Blystone, Bill Williams and I, covered 143.5 hours over 75 days from February 9th to May 26th. We were on pace for a new season record, but the flights really died after early May and we finished with a total of 1620, just short of the record 1666 set in 2007.

We shared information as the season progressed with many visitors and on the VA List Serve and on this General Blog.

Complete daily information is entered on the Hawkcount.org website of the Hawk Migration Association of North America, though anyone who wants additional details may contact me directly at Taberzz@aol.com.

Some of the season highlights include a new record 47 Northern Harriers (old record was 41), a record-tying 6 Merlins, a species quite scarce in spring migration, 33 American Kestrels, which is up from the very low totals of 12, 18, 10 and 15 from the past 4 years, a Northern Goshawk on March 21 and a Mississippi Kite on May 7th.

We also recorded our highest-ever daily total, 190, on March 20th.

Some non-hawk highlights, in addition to many great swallow flights, include nearly 1400 Tundra Swans on March 11th, an American White Pelican on March 18th and our first Boat-tailed Grackles onMay 24th.

Brian Taber

Prothonotary Warbler Project, Dragon Run

Several boxes had chicks as of May 27, 2009!

Prothonotary Warbler Project, Dragon Run

Gary Driscole checks Prothonotary Warbler box on the Dragon Run, May 27, 2009.

Boat-tailed Grackles at College Creek Hawkwatch

Today, May 24, 2009, 2 male Boat-tailed Grackles were seen from the hawkwatch. One bird flew south across the river to Hog Island Wildlife Management Area. This is the first record for the species at this site and is unusually far inland. A pair was found together at Hog Island on April 26th, during the annual Spring Count of the Williamsburg Bird Club. A male was recorded a few miles away at Jamestown 2 years ago and a few birds have been regular breeders for years to the east, on the York River, along the Colonial Parkway, near Yorktown.

The hawk and vulture flights have dropped off dramatically during the past 2 weeks and the season will end in a few days.

Brian Taber

Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Richmond, 5-21-09

Brian Taber

Mississippi Kite & Peregrine at College Creek

Today, May 7, 2009, a small weather window unexpectedly opened up in the long stretch of rainy weather for several days and for just 2 hours, Fred Blystone, Bill Williams and I watched as big birds took advantage and crossed the river on very strong, but warm southwest winds and some sunshine. Our first Mississippi Kite, an adult and our first Peregrine, sped by...species number 14 and 15 for the season.... along with a new daily record of 21 Bald Eagles, all immatures. The other big birds which were able to handle the strong winds during this remarkable and exciting period were 2 Cooper's Hawks, a Northern Harrier and 24 Turkey Vultures.

We also passed 1500 birds today for only the 3rd time in 13 years.

Brian Taber