Gleanings…from the Web

This edition's summary covers reports to the Virginia Birds listserv for the period from 23 January to 23 April 2004 , with reports divided into three periods of one month each. Individuals interested in subscribing to this listserv or reading its archives can find directions on the VSO web page (www.ecoventures-travel.com/vso). Inclusion in this column does not imply that a sighting has been accepted by VARCOM (the VSO's Records Committee), or verified in any other way. Nor does omission of a sighting from this column imply that a particular sighting was not credible or noteworthy.

Beginning with reports from 23 January – 22 February 2004 , a highlight of this period’s sightings was the largest influx of Razorbills in Virginia in about a decade. Sightings were from Chincoteague NWR on 2/13-14 (1) and from Fort Story , Virginia Beach on 2/15 (2), 2/16 (18), 2/19 (1) and 2/22 (1). Numbers in North Carolina off Cape Point in Buxton, however, were truly impressive, with about 4400 on 2/15. Another spectacle was the congregation throughout the period of tens of thousands of scoters at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT), making this the greatest gathering noted by Virginia birders in at least 60 years. On 2/5 a conservative count estimated 57,000 Surf Scoters and 7850 Black Scoters, as well as 34 White-winged Scoters, while the day before the number was estimated at 75,000 birds, including about 100 White-winged Scoters. Also at the CBBT during the period were Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider (maximum of six on both 1/31 and 2/21), King Eider on 1/24, 1/31, and 2/7 (1, 2, and 1 respectively), and Harlequin Duck (four on 1/24 and one each on 1/31, 2/5, 2/7, and 2/21). An Eared Grebe was seen at Craney Island , Portsmouth on 2/10 and 2/20, with a total of three birds present on 2/22. And Red-necked Grebes were reported from the following locations: Alexandria near the Washington Sailing Marina 1/25 (1), the CBBT 2/15 and 2/21 (1), Chincoteague NWR 2/19 (1-2), Grandview Beach near Hampton 2/20 (2), and Fort Story , Virginia Beach 2/21 and 2/22 (1 and 2 respectively).

Reports of unusual gulls were limited to two Iceland Gulls at the Prince William County Landfill 1/29 and one at Chincoteague NWR 2/19 in the company of a Glaucous Gull, and another Glaucous Gull earlier off Northampton Co. 2/15. Six White Pelicans were flybys at Rudee’s Inlet, Virginia Beach 2/13, and three were seen passing at Craney Island on 2/22. There were single reports of a Ross’ Goose in Amherst Co. 2/15-16, a county record, and of a Greater White-fronted Goose in King William Co. 2/21. A diminutive Richardson’s Canada Goose was seen both at Airlie in Fauquier Co. 1/24 and at Neabasco Creek in Prince William Co. 2/2. There were inland reports of a single Snow Goose both at George Washington Birthplace, Westmoreland Co. 1/26 and in King George Co. 2/21, while a single inland Red-throated Loon was seen at Kerr Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co. 1/24.

After the winter invasion of Common Redpolls late last year, there was only a single report of one bird this period in Loudoun Co. at a feeder on 2/4. Purple Finches continued to be widespread, with a peak count reported of 50 birds in South Boston, Halifax Co., and Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to be seen at Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke Co. The small group of Snow Buntings at Kerr Reservoir, Mecklenburg Co. in early to mid January, numbering up to five individuals, was seen again 1/24 and 2/7, while at Craney Island a group numbering about 23-25 was seen 1/23, 1/29 and 1/31. Single individuals were also reported from Rockingham Co. 2/3 and Highland Co. 2/8. Pine Siskins were seen in Highland Co.1/25 and 2/8 (1), 1/30 (10-12), and 2/15 (about 30), as well as in Charlottesville 1/26 (6) and Buchanan Co. (2/12), while Lapland Longspurs were noted in Westmoreland Co. 1/26 (3), Augusta Co. 1/27 (10+), 1/29 (41+), and 2/2 (2), and Rockingham Co. 2/4 (3).

Western vagrants included the following. The Clay-colored Sparrow first seen at Julie Metz Wetlands in Prince William Co. 12/27 was seen as late as 2/14, while a Harris’ Sparrow there since 12/28 was seen through 2/22. Brewer’s Blackbirds were seen at their usual haunts at a dairy farm in Nokesville, Prince William Co. 1/23 and 1/24 (up to about 12), as well as in Cupeper Co. 1/30 (6) and King William Co. 1/31 (4). A Selasphorus hummingbird showed up at a Norfolk feeder 1/27, and a Common Raven in Caroline Co. on the Middle Peninsula was a good distance from the mountains.

A very unusual wintering record was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak that showed up at a feeder in Bedford Co. in late December and remained. And also noteworthy was an Indigo Bunting in Charles City Co. 1/28 that stayed several days. There was one record of an Orange-crowned Warbler, visiting a suet feeder in Norfolk in late January off and on, and in addition to the regular occurrence of Eurasian Collared-Doves in southern Northampton Co., two were seen 2/21 in Westomoreland Co. near the Potomac River Fisheries Commission in Colonial Beach.

Concluding with raptors, Rough-legged Hawks have made a strong showing. The largest numbers seen were in Northern Virginia , with Loudoun Co. being a hot spot. Starting 2/1 up to eight individuals were being seen, and a maximum of 20 were seen 2/15. Five to six Rough-leggeds were also seen in Orange Co. 2/15, four were in Culpeper Co. 2/16, two were at Occoquan Bay NWR, Prince William Co. 2/21, and single individuals were reported from Fairfax Co. 1/29, Frederick Co. 2/2, and Charlottesville 2/4. In Highland Co. five were seen on 1/30, 13 on 1/31, and 14 on 2/8. And on the Eastern Shore single individuals were noted at Saxis Marsh in Accomack Co. 2/8 and at the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR in Northampton Co. 2/15. Short-eared Owls were also numerous. Large numbers were again found in Loudoun Co., with five to six or more on several occasions from 2/14 to 2/22, although a maximum of seven were also seen in western Augusta Co. 2/8. Other reports included one each in Culpeper and Orange Cos. 1/30 and four or more later in Culpeper Co. 2/11, two in Frederick Co. 2/2, one at Saxis Marsh 2/14, and one at the Chincoteague causeway 2/19. A Long-eared Owl was found being mobbed by crows in Fauquier Co. 1/26, and an Osprey along the Colonial Parkway in Williamsburg 1/24 and 1/26 was a first January record. Three Golden Eagles were seen in Highland Co. both 1/31 and 2/8, and an immature was also found in King William Co. 1/31. Merlin reports came from the following locations: the CBBT 1/24 and 2/21, Loudoun Co. 2/1, Occoquan Bay NWR in Prince William Co. 2/7, and Chincoteague NWR the weekend of 2/13-15, while Peregrine Falcons were seen in southern Northampton Co. 1/31, Richmond 2/4 (a pair at last year’s nest site, Craney Island 2/6, the CBBT 2/7, and the Coleman Memorial Bridge nest site on the York River between and York and Gloucester Cos. 2/19. Barn Owl sightings were made in Prince William Co. 1/31, Loudoun Co. 2/1, and Culpeper Co. 2/4 (2), while single Loggerhead Shrikes were spotted at Blandy Experimental Farm in Clarke Co. 1/26 and in Highland Co. 1/31.

For the period from 23 February – 23 March 2004 ,waterbirds provided many of the noteworthy sightings, especially along the coast. However, two piedmont lakes, Lake Anna on the Louisa/Spotsylvania Co. line, and Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co., yielded good sightings. Two different Pacific Loons were present, the one at Lake Anna observed between 2/24-3/14, and the one at Kerr Reservoir between 3/7-3/12, having been found there earlier in December and January. Farther west, nine Eared Grebes were found on South Holston Lake, Washington Co. 3/9, with a single bird also at Craney Island , Portsmouth 3/22. Red-necked Grebes were present at several locations (maximum numbers noted): Manassas 2/24-3/2 (1), Lake Anna 3/2-3/3 (2), South Holston Lake 3/7-3/9 (3), and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) the weekend of 3/20-21 (1), while Red-throated Loons were recorded at Lake Anna 3/2-3/12 (2), Kerr Reservoir 3/7-3/12 (1), and Northumberland Co. 3/21 (2). Several rare gulls showed up at their usual haunts. An adult California Gull was seen at both Neabsco Creek, Prince William Co. 2/23-3/13 and at Hunting Creek, Fairfax Co. 3/19-23, single Thayer’s Gulls were seen at Neabsco Creek 2/23, the Prince William Co. landfill 2/25, and Fort Story, Virginia Beach 3/22, a first winter Glaucous Gull, and occasional second individual were at the Prince William Co. landfill 2/25-3/14 as well as a second report from Hunting Creek 2/25, and a first winter Iceland Gull was found at Neabsco Creek 2/23, and at the Prince William Co. landfill 2/25-3/14. Two other interesting gulls were a two-headed individual (species not identified) seen at the CBBT 2/29 and a three-footed Herring Gull at the Prince William Co. landfill 3/1. Among diving ducks, there were Harlequins at the CBBT 2/29 (1), 3/3-4 (2), 3/20-21 (2), and 3/22 (4), Common Eiders there also 3/3-4 (3) and 3/22 (6), and Long-tailed Ducks were reported from the CBBT 2/29 (1), 3/3-4 (2), 3/20-21 (2), and 3/22 (3), as well as from Dyke Marsh, Fairfax Co. 3/14 (1) and Burke Lake, Fairfax Co. 3/21 (2). A Greater Shearwater was spotted from Chincoteague NWR, Accomack Co. the weekend of 3/21, and 15 White Ibises were at the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR 3/22. And moving inland again, a Great Cormorant on Kerr Reservoir 3/12 may be only the second piedmont record, and the first for the spring. A Ross’ Goose was in Fauquier Co. 2/29-3/1, single Eurasian Wigeons were found both in Fauquier Co. and Surry Co. 2/29, and a Snow Goose previously seen in King George Co. 2/21 was also there 2/24 and 3/2 (two individuals on last date).

Things were relatively quiet on the songbird front. Purple Finches continued around the state in good numbers, while single Common Redpolls were seen in Lynchburg 2/22-3/1, Hampton 2/27, and Spotsylvania Co. 3/13. About 50 Pine Siskins in McDowell, Highland Co. 2/27 was a high number, and the only other records were of single individuals in Amherst Co. 3/6 and Buchanan Co. 3/13 and 3/21. A Harris’ Sparrow found at Julie Metz Wetlands, Prince William Co. first in late December was seen there through 3/12, and a Selasphorus hummingbird in Roanoke Co. since September was reported as still present as of 3/13. Eight Brewer’s Blackbirds were at Lake Anna 3/6, and a Clay-colored Sparrow was reported from Northumberland Co. on the Northern Neck 3/21. In Bedford Co. the Rose-breasted Grosbeak that showed up at a feeder in late December remained until 2/28, and an apparent Ruby-throated Hummingbird was noted in Buchanan Co. 2/24. Single Orange-crowned Warblers were seen in both Hampton sporadically in February and at Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach 3/1.

Considering raptors lastly, Rough-legged Hawks were found in Highland Co. 3/28 (3), Burke’s Garden, Tazewell Co. 3/6 (1), and Fauquier Co. 3/11 (1), and Short eared Owls continued to be reported from Loudoun Co. through 3/13, with a maximum of eight on 2/24, as well as in Culpeper Co. 2/27 (10) and 3/2 (2) and Fairfax Co. 2/28 (1). After last period’s Fauquier Co. report, another Long-eared Owl was found, this one in Louisa Co. 3/7. Single Golden Eagles were found in Highland Co 2/28 and Burke’s Garden 3/6, a Merlin was seen at Craney Island 3/22, and a Peregrine Falcon was at the Rappahannock river Valley NWR in Richmond Co. on the Northern Neck 2/27, as well as a pair nesting in downtown Richmond, with eggs as of 3/23.

Finally, for the period from 24 March – 23 April 2004 , winter birds lingered; Purple Finch numbers increased a bit as birds began moving north, and 52 in Orange Co. 4/13 was a good total. A single Red Crossbill was also seen in Orange Co. 4/2, while up to seven or more visited a feeder in Roanoke off and on from 4/1-4/16. Pine Siskins were seen in a few scattered locations, with the most consistent sightings coming from Buchanan Co. between 3/24-4/18 (high of 4) and Franklin Co. 3/25-4/18 (1), as well as in Loudoun Co. 4/10 (2) and Halifax Co. 4/21 (1). A single Red-breasted Nuthatch was in Louisa Co. 4/14-4/15, and a Rough-legged Hawk lingered until 3/29 in Augusta Co. Red-necked Grebes also lingered through most of the period, with records coming from Airlie Reservoir in Fauquier Co. 3/27-3/29, 4/2, and 4/9 (1), the Martinsville Reservoir 3/28 (1), Mason Neck NWR, Fairfax Co. 3/30 (4), Craney Island , Virginia Beach 4/1 (2), and Kerr Reservoir in Mecklenburg Co. 4/10 and 4/17 (1), while six Eared Grebes were at South Holston Lake, Washington Co. 4/9. A California Gull seen at Hunting Creek, Fairfax Co. earlier was seen again 3/27, while at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) Harlequin Ducks were still there 3/27 and 4/3 (3), 4/10 (5) and 4/15 (1). And Long-tailed Ducks were also at the CBBT 4/3, as well as at Beaverdam Reservoir in Loudoun Co. 3/27 (3), Smith Reservoir in Stafford Co. 3/27 (5), on the Northern Neck 3/27-3/28, and at Mason Neck S.P., Fairfax Co. 4/9 (1). Finally, a male Eurasian Wigeon first seen in Hampton Virginia 4/1 was present through 4/15.

A few notable migrant waterbird sightings took place, with a Black Rail at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax Co. 4/17-4/18, an Upland Sandpiper near Willis Wharf in Northampton Co. 4/18, a Sandhill Crane at Rural Retreat Lake, Wythe Co. 3/24-4/4, three American Avocets at Craney Island 4/17-4/1, three to four Black-necked Stilts off the Chincoteague NWR causeway 4/8 and another at Hog Island NWR, Northampton Co. 4/17, and White Ibises at Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach 4/1 (20) and at the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR (ESVNWR) 4/3 (13). A number of unusual inland records of waterbirds were also reported. A Glossy Ibis in Campbell Co. 4/14 was a first county record, as was a Cattle Egret in Buchanan Co. 4/13. In Fauquier Co. there was a Forester’s Tern 4/7, a Snowy Egret 4/9, and a Little Blue Heron 4/22, with another the same day in Prince William Co. Four Yellow-crowned Night Herons in Herndon, Fairfax Co. 4/18 were mating and nest building, and Black-crowned Night Herons showed up on 4/7 in Lynchburg (1), at Smith Mountain Lake on the Bedford/Franklin Co. line (2), and in Fauquier Co. (1), as well as two in Waynesboro 4/10 that had wintered. Caspian Terns were at both South Holston Lake (3) and in Chesterfield Co. (1) 4/9, four Surf Scoters were at Kerr Reservoir 4/11, and two American Bitterns were seen in Augusta Co. 4/22. Finally, a noticeable movement of Common Loons took place in mid April following 3 ½ days of rain: in the Martinsville area on 4/14 there were 95 on Beaver Creek Reservoir and 208 at Goose Point on the Patrick/Henry Co. line, while the next day in northern Fairfax Co. 79 were noted in transit, with another 149 counted passing Huntley Meadows on 4/16.

Considering passerines next, Brewer’s Blackbirds in the state lingered to 4/11 in Augusta Co. (4), a Selasphorus hummingbird in Roanoke Co. present since September stayed until 4/8, and a Dickcissel wintering in Cape Charles, Northampton Co. was reported most recently 4/3. Western Tanagers were seen both in Staunton at a feeder 3/27-3/29 and at Chippokes S.P., Surry Co. 4/1, while Eurasian Collard-Doves continue to frequent Route 6 in Northampton Co., with one sighted 4/3. Swainson’s Warblers had arrived at Dismal Swamp NWR 4/14 (3), with up to six reported through the rest of the period. Single Philadephia Vireos were reported both on the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Bedford/Amherst Co. line 4/19 and at Huntley Meadows 4/23, where a Mourning Warbler was also seen there that day.

Concluding with raptors, a White-tailed Kite was seen in Suffolk Co. 4/3, and a probable Mississippi Kite was glimpsed briefly at Huntley Meadows 4/23. Reports of single Peregrine Falcons came from Craney island 4/1, and both Henrico Co. and the CBBT 4/10, while a pair nesting in Richmond hatched chicks on 4/22. And single Merlins were seen 4/10 in both Henrico and Halifax Co.

Gene Sattler