Gleanings…from the Web

This edition's summary covers reports to the Virginia Birds listserv for the period from June 1 st to August 27 th. Individuals interested in subscribing to this listserv or reading its archives can find directions on the VSO web page (www.vabirds.org). Inclusion in this column does not imply that the 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.

Only a single sighting of a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher has been reported this summer, at Manassas National Battlefield Park in Prince William Co. (6/9). There have been a number of reports of Mississippi Kites, however, although fewer than last summer. Most have been sighted in Greensville, Brunswick , and Southampton Counties , with the high count being between 10-18 in one day, and dates ranging from 6/10 to 7/20. There was also a Swallow-tailed Kite present in western Fauquier Co. from about 8/1 to 8/11. Other notable raptor sightings included a single Merlin at Cape Charles, Northampton Co. (6/11), a Peregrine at Chincoteague NWR., Accomack Co. (7/28), and an immature Golden Eagle in Highland Co. (weekend of 7/6).

A Gray Kingbird put in a brief appearance in southern Northampton Co. (6/2), and Eurasian Collared-Doves showed up there as well, with four individuals seen at three locations on 8/18. A single individual was also seen in Fauquier Co. a week earlier (8/12). Also in Fauquier Co., Dickcissels were found at two locations (6/15, 22), with at least three individuals at one spot, and up to 6-10 individuals were present in Culpeper Co. (6/16-7/27). After a number of searches, a Bachman's Sparrow was located in southeast Brunswick Co. (6/29), and four Henslow's Sparrows were found on the grounds of the Radford Arsenal, Pulaski Co. (7/1). A Selaphorushummingbird was present at a feeder at Kiptopeke S.P in Northampton Co. on 8/26, a Swainson's Warbler was heard on the Greensville/Southampton Co. line 6/29, and a Black-billed Cuckoo was noted at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax Co. on 8/22.

Expeditions to the higher elevations of the state produced many of the expected species, but a flock of approximately 50-60 Red Crossbills on 6/8 was a real treat. Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen in Highland Co. both the weekend of 6/1&2 (one) and between 7/4-7 (five), but evidence of breeding has yet to be found. Magnolia Warblers were found to have increased considerable in numbers over recent years at the lower elevation of Mount Rogers at the Grindstone campground (weekend of 6/29-30), and Mourning Warblers were found reliably in Highland County at Paddy Knob (7/4-7), as well as an individual at Locust Springs (6/8 or 9). Winter Wrens, Hermit Thrushes, and Purple Finches were all seen both in Highland County (7/4-7) and at Mount Rogers (6/29-30), and singing Brown Creepers were at both Mount Rogers (6/29-30) and Shenandoah National Park along the Limberlost Trail (6/1). Among Flycatchers, there were at least three Alders at the base of Whitetop Mountain (7/1) as well as one at Mount Rogers (6/29-30), an Olive-sided at Paddy Knob in Highland Co. (7/4-7) as well as one in Fairfax Co. (6/7), and several Leasts in Highland Co. along with one at Whitetop Station (6/29-30). Finally, a single female Evening Grosbeak at a feeder in Annandale was certainly out of place for this time of year.

Turning now to waterbirds, five Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were flybys along the Nansemond River in Suffolk Co. on 8/11. A female King Eider was at Chincoteague NWR. from 6/19-21, and a Tundra Swan on the Potomac River in Arlington on 8/14 showed no obvious evidence of being an escapee. An adult Pied-billed Grebe was seen with three young at Hog Island, Surry Co. (7/14), and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks were found at a pond in Fauquier Co. on both 6/22 and 7/13.

A Red-necked Stint was reported from Craney Island in Portsmouth (8/17), and an adult Curlew Sandpiper was spotted at Chincoteague NWR. (7/28). Breeding by Upland Sandpipers in Fauquier Co. was confirmed with the observation of young (7/14), and eight individuals were seen there on 7/20. Another three birds were at Hog Island, Surry Co on 8/24, with one earlier on 8/18. Reports of Wilson's Phalaropes came from both Chincoteague NWR. (two different indivduals on 8/7 and 8/11) and Hunting Creek, Fairfax Co. (two on 8/17 and 4 on 8/22), single juvenile Baird's Sandpipers were noted at both Cape Charles, Northampton Co. (8/15-16) and Loudoun Co. (8/19), and American Avocets were located both at Huntley Meadows in Fairfax Co. (one on 6/30) and at Cape Charles, Northampton Co. (two on 8/27).

Anhingas continue to be present in the southeast, with three seen in Greensville and Southampton Counties on 6/29. Inland on the Piedmont a Sandhill Crane at Swoope in Augusta Co. was a nice find (7/23-28), and a Glossy Ibis at Staunton River State Park in Halifax Co. (8/18) was also noteworthy. Going to the most westerly reaches of the state, a Great White Heron on 8/7, and two Black Terns and four Bonaparte's Gulls on 8/13, all at South Holston Lake in Washington Co., were significant finds.

Turning finally back to the coast, the environs of the Potomac , and just inland from there, a King Rail was present at a farm pond near Manassas Battlefield National Park, Prince William Co. 8/21-25, and a Black Rail was at Huntley Meadows, Fairfax Co. from 6/10 through the 7/4. A White-faced Ibis stayed two days at Chincoteague NWR. 6/1-2, and White Ibises were seen at both Manassas Battlefield National Park (one juvenile 6/28 and 7/1) and at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, Northampton Co. (two adults and two juveniles 7/28). Finally, Least Bittern sightings away from the coast included at least one at Henricus Park in Chesterfield Co. on 6/6 where nest building was observed 5/28, with an immature seen there 7/6, a total of eleven at Dyke Marsh on 7/15 including three immatures at two locations, and one at Neabsco Creek in Prince William Co.

Gene Sattler