Virginia Birds Fall 2010: Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 1

Virginia Birds

A quarterly journal of ornithological sightings in the Commonwealth published by the Virginia Society of Ornithology

Volume 7, Number 2 Fall Records August –November 2010 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 2

Editors’ Notes The fall brought some very interesting hummingbird visitors to the Commonwealth, including an Allen’s in the Southeast, a Black-chinned in the West, and the leucistic Ruby-throated featured in our cover photo. The East Region enjoyed strong shorebird and warbler showings and an amazing observation of 11 Wood Storks. The annual fall migration count from one location in the Southwest tallied 70 migrant species, 1,940 birds, in a two month period. Reports from the Coastal Region included observations from the two hawk watches and several significant passerine flights, as well as the presence of a Bell’s Vireo, a Northern Wheateater, and a possible Greenland subspecies Dun - lin. Boreal irruptives were noted from several regions perhaps indicating an interesting winter to come.

Good Birding

Linda and Alan

CORRECTION: In the spring 2010 issue of Virginia Birds (Volume 6, No.4) the photograph of a California Gull at First Landing was incorrectly credited. The photo was taken by Andrew Baldelli. We apologize to him for the error.

On the Cover: A highly unusual hummingbird, thought to be a leucistic Ruby-throated, was in Rockbridge County from 12 to 14 September. Photograph by Steve Richards Publisher Editors Virginia Society of Ornithology Linda Fields Alan Schreck Printed on recycled paper [email protected] Regional Editors Fred Atwood Lenny Bankester Arun Bose (Guest Editor) Adam D’Onofrio Wendy Ealding Tim Hodge Clyde Kessler Lynda Mahorn Roger Mayhorn Bill Williams

VSO Officers VSO Board of Directors President : Andrew Dolby, Fredericksburg Terms Expire 2012 Past President : Rexanne Bruno, Lynchburg Susan Brown, Parksley (Eastern Shore); Shirley Devan, Vice President : Joe Coleman Williamsburg; Keith Carson, Highland County Secretary : Alyce Quinn, Roanoke Terms Expire 2013 Treasurer: Sue Thrasher, Lynchburg Elisa Enders, Portsmith; David Hannah, Charlottesville; Raven Editor: Wes Brown, Parksley Larry Meade, Vienna Newsletter Editors : Linda Fields & Alan Schreck, Arlington Terms Expire 2014 Membership Secretary : Thelma Dalmas, Evington Tiffany Corsell0, King George County; Mark Fink, Far - mville; Jerry Thornhill, Elk Garden 2 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 3 s r o t i d E l a n o i g e R o t e u D s t r c g r a n e u o u p A D M J e 5 5 5 5 R 1 1 1 1 ) ) ) y ) v l a o b u e J N M F – – – – n r g c a u u e J ( A M D ( ( r ( e r n g e m o t n s i l n m r l a i a e u p S S F W S

Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 3 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 4

Winter Reporting Period Dec 2009–Feb 2010 Sep (CK, NH, RM). Early November Terms and Abbreviations found rafts of American Coots in vari - North ous parts of the Region, with 1000 Species name in bold first time men - Arlington, Culpepper, Fairfax, Fauquier, recorded in Prince William on 7 Nov (EM) tioned ( RARITIES bold and all caps) Loudoun, Madison, Prince William, and 2 ,500 seen in Fairfax 5 Nov (DL). County names are in italics Rappahannock, and Stafford Couunties Ruddy Ducks arrived at the expected Abbreviations: and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, time in mid-November, when up to 2000 ad. (ads.) – adult(s) Falls Church Manassas and Manassas were spotted at , BBS – breeding bird survey Park. Fairfax 20 Nov (BJ). One report noted CBC – Christmas Bird Count Cr. – Creek 190 Blue-winged Teal at Belle Haven Editor — Lenny Bankester Picnic Area in Fairfax 27 Sep (JB). The et al. – and others 4113 33rd St S. fide – vouched by high count for Canada Geese was 1200 Arlington, VA 22206 in Fauquier 26 Nov (DL). Though this FOS — First of Season [email protected] count is well above average for the Ft. – Fort species, it is not a record high count for Hwy. – Highway he record breaking heat of sum - this time of year. An impromptu hawk I. – Island(s), Isle(s) mer continued into the fall with watch at C. F. Smith was very productive imm. (imms.) – immature(s) great heat stress evident on vege - Jct. – Junction with an Osprey , four Bald Eagles , a tation throughout North Virginia. The juv. (juvs.) – juvenile(s) T Northern Harrier , two Sharp-shinned heat was punctuated by a couple of L. – Lake Hawks , a Merlin , and a Cooper’s storms with heavy winds that knocked MAPS – Monitoring Avian Hawk observed. An estimated 100 down 100 trees in one Arlington County Productivity and Survivorship Broad-winged Hawks were seen from neighborhood alone. The long term ef - there 17 Sep (VK, DF). Merlins were also m.ob. – many/multiple observers fect of the extreme weather on bird pop - reported in Fairfax , Loudoun , Prince Mt. – Mountain, Mount ulations is as yet unclear. In spite of the William , and Stafford 29 Sep –-24 Oct (PT, NWR – National Wildlife Refuge weather Northern Virginia birders re - ph. – photographed (by + initials) GHo, DL , PN ). American Kestrels ported 212 species during this period. were reported throughout Northern Vir - Pt. – Point ginia. The high count for the species was R. – River : C. F. Smith (Fort C. F. Abbreviations five in Rectortown, Fauquier 27 Nov Res. – Reservoir Smith Park , Arlington ); Huntley (Huntley Rte. – Route (EM). Two observers found Mississippi Meadows Park, Fairfax ; Occoquan (Oc - SF – State Forest Kites in Fairfax and Prince William 15 Aug coquan Bay NWR, Prince William); Sky and 25 Aug (LM, CL), with the high SP – State Park Meadows (, count being three at Kings Park , Fairfax . VARCOM – Virginia Avian Records Fauquier ). Committee The high count for Wild Turkeys was 29, seen off Loyalty Road , Loudoun 1 Sep VDGIF – Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries GADWALLS—SANDPIPERS (GHo). Four Sora were spotted at Hunt - ley Meadows Park , Fairfax 6 Sep (HG). VSO – Virginia Society of Ornithology A pair of Gadwalls and two Pied-billed Short-billed Dowitchers were reported Grebes were seen at Roaches Run 24 on 22 & 28 Aug (EM). A few reports of v.t. – video taped (by + initials) WMA – Wildlife Management Area Oct (VK) . The high count for Pied-billed Least Sandpipers found the birds scat -  Grebes also came from the Potomac tered throughout Arlington , Culpeper , and – VARCOM Review List Bird River, with 30 spotted at Dyke Marsh in Fairfax , with the high count being 40 at † – written details submitted Fairfax (LB). Black-crowned Night- Huntley14 Aug–6 Sep (SH, EM, NVBC). * – specimen collected Herons were spotted in Alexandria, Fair - Huntley Meadows was also the location Submissions fax , and Prince William 27 Aug – 21 Nov of a sighting of four Western Sand - Send reports and photographs to the (R&CY, ADri, DL). Yellow-crowned pipers 10 Aug (PWB). Pectoral Sand - Regional Editors. Photographs should Night-Herons were also found along pipers were seen in both Culpeper and be the highest electronic quality possi - the Potomac, with sightings at Dainger - Fairfax counties 14 Aug and 15 Sep (EM, ble. Send with release form, which field Island , Alexandria and Occoquan 1 CK). can be found on the VSO web site: Aug and 11 Sep (EM, DE). Little Blue www.virginiabirds.net Articles for consideration can be sent Herons were reported in Alexandria, TERNS—CATBIRDS Fairfax , and Prince William 12 Aug – 15 to [email protected] Eight Black Terns were an uncommon 4 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 5

sight at the Belle Haven Marina , Fairfax , ful of reports found Swainson’s 1000 also in Arlington 29 Sep (TB) and 14 Sep (AD). Though typically uncom - Thrushes throughout the region 11 Sep 1200 in Prince William 12 Oct (DL) . The mon in the Region, twenty Caspian –9 Oct (PF, MAK, MRi, PN). Two fall migration brought through a healthy Terns were observed at Hunting Creek , Veeries were seen at Leesylvania State collection of American Redstarts ; 15 Alexandria . Two Bonaparte’s Gulls were Park , Prince William 11 Sep (MRi). A were spotted in one day in Fairfax 12 Sep at Mason Neck State Park , Fairfax 6 Nov Gray-cheeked Thrush was reported at (R&CY) . A scattering of reports found (SBo). Rock Pigeon numbers peaked at , Prince William 9 Bay-breasted Warblers moving through 280 in one report from Fairfax 4 Nov Oct (EM). Six Blue-gray Gnatcatchers the area, as well, with sightings in Fairfax, (CK). Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were seen at Cameron Station, Ben Bren - Loudoun , and Prince William (FA, MAK). began their seasonal migration on time, man Park , Alexandria 31 Aug (R&CY). Black-and-White Warblers are fairly with the last one reported from Loudoun Gray Catbirds were widely reported. uncommon transients in Northern Vir - 12 Sept (GHo). A handful of reports The high count for the species was ginia, but they were spotted in five differ - found Yellow-bellied Flycatchers de - twenty-eight at Bles Park, Loudoun 25 Sep ent counties this season 29 Aug–27 Sep parting seasonally from the Region 11 – (KP). (SB, WB, MRa, MRi, PN) . Peak migration 20 Sep (NF, GD, MAK). The high count found Blackburnian Warblers heading for the species was three . The Northern WAXWINGS—SISKINS south, with a scattering of reports from Virginia Bird Club submitted the only Large flocks of Cedar Waxwings were Fauquier , Loudoun, and Prince William 11– seasonal report of Black-billed Cuck - spotted in various parts of the Region. 18 Sep (SB, JC, GD). A high count of oos in the Region from an outing at Sky The Northern Virginia Bird Club spotted five Black-throated Blue Warblers was Meadows State Park , Fauquier 2 Oct. 100 at Sky Meadows, 300 were seen in reported from Bles Park in Loudoun 12 Chimney Swifts were sighted in abun - Loudoun 23 Oct (JC) ; and the high count Sept (MAK). Black-throated Green dance throughout Northern Virginia, for the season was 400 at Occoquan Bay Warblers were right on time for their fall with the high count of 1000 seen in Ar - NWR , Prince William 20 Nov (MRi). Blue departure and abundantly reported. Ob - lington Village, Arlington 23 Sep (SB). Grosbeaks made their seasonal depar - servations were submitted from Alexan - Common Raven were reported not only ture with multiple reports throughout the dria, Arlington , Fairfax , Fauquier , Loudoun , in the more familiar locale of Shenan - area 14 Aug –15 Sep (EM, BJ, RM, PN). Manassas Park , and Prince William 6 Sep– doah National Park 13 Nov (SB), but also Transient Rose-breasted Grosbeaks 2 Oct (SB, CK, EM, KP, MRi, R&CY). further afield in Alexandria (R&CY) and were widely reported as they flew though The high count for one day was ten indi - Loudoun. A Barn Owl was seen at Man - during the fall migration 11 –26 Sep viduals (R&CY). A Blue-winged War - assas National Battlefield , Prince William (R&CY, PR, P&JW, SBa, MRi, PN) . Lin - bler was seen at Leesylvania State Park in 27 Oct (SBu). Pileated Woodpecker coln’s Sparrows were somewhat more Prince William 5 Sep (MAK). Transient were common throughout the Region, common than usual, with the species Canada Warblers made scattered ap - with reports coming in from Alexandria, being reported in Alexandria , Arlington , pearances throughout the Region, with Arlington , Fairfax City , Loudoun , Prince Fairfax , Fauquier , Loudoun , and Prince reports coming in from Loudoun , Manas - William , Rappahannock , and Stafford . The William 2 Oct-28 Nov (TJ, PP, BJ, SBa, sas , Prince William , and Stafford 28 Aug-16 high count was seven at Occoquan 24 KP, MRi). Vesper Sparrows were found Sep (GD, MAK, PN). Blue-headed Nov (RM). Brown Creepers were sur - in both Fairfax and Prince William 2 Oct Vireos continued to be both uncommon prisingly well-represented this season. & 20 Oct (RM, LW). Twelve Savannah and widespread. Reports of this bird Reports came in from Alexandria, Fairfax , Sparrows were observed at Occoquanin, came in from Alexandria, Arlington , Fauquier , Loudoun , Rappahannock , Stafford 2 Prince William 23 Oct (MW). Dark-eyed Fauquier , Loudoun , and Prince William 2 Oct–20 Nov (EM, MR, SBa, LM, PN). Juncos arrived in the mountains in full Oct–1 Nov though no one reported see - The high count for one day was seven in - force, with 140 spotted on Dark Hollow ing more than three in a day (EM, JBo, dividuals in Fairfax 7 Nov (MR). Red- Falls Trail in , NVBC, GJ, GD). Four Yellow-throated breasted Nuthatches appeared to be Madison 1 Nov (DVP). A Lapland Vireos were observed at C. F. Phelps more common than is typical, with ob - Longspur was reported in Reston, Fair - WMA , Fauquier 5 Sep (PK). Three servations reported in six locations: fax 1 Nov (GH). A Palm Warbler and Northern Waterthrushes were seen at Alexandria, Arlington , Fairfax , Fauquier , two Common Yellowthroats were seen Huntley 6 Sep (HG). Prairie Warblers Loudoun , and Prince William . The high in Arlington 16 Oct (NVBC). Song Spar - were reported in Alexandria, Fairfax , and count for the species was seven 10 Nov rows were also abundant with 20 re - Loudoun 11 Sep –16 Sep (R&CY, KP), (FA). October brought an abundance of ported during an outing in Arlington 16 with the high count being six at River - Ruby-crowned Kinglets as they settled Oct (NVBC). Brown-headed Cowbirds bend Park in Fairfax (R&CY). Two no - in for the winter. The high count this fall continue to be highly visible in Northern table sightings of the increasingly rare for kinglets was 25 seen at Bles Park in Virginia. A flock of 200 was seen in Ar - Rusty Blackbird occurred, 56 birds on Ashburn, Loudoun 11 Oct (WB). A hand - lington , 24 Oct, and the highest count was 18 Oct (DM) and eight birds on 27 Nov Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 5 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 6

(DJM). A Summer Tanager was seen in Gerco Hoogeweg (GHo), Ben Jesup, Loudoun 26 Sep (JS). Wide reports of Gail Johnson, Thomas Jones, Phil Editor — Clyde Kessler, Tennessee Warblers found the species Kenny, Val Kitchens, Mary Alice P.O. Box 3612 traveling south 11 Sep–9 Oct (DB, GD, Koeneke, Claire Kuskens, David Larsen, Radford, VA 24141 EM, MRi). Peak abundance was noted at Rachel London, Candice Lowther, Larry [email protected] Riverbend Park , Fairfax, where 16 were Meade, DJ Manalo, Elton Morel, Paul seen 19 Sep (PR). Small flocks of Chest - Nasca, Northern Virginia Bird Club, Abbreviations : Claytor (Claytor Lake, nut-sided Warblers were observed Paul Pisano, David Vander Pluym, Pulaski ); Gala (Gala Wetlands, Botetourt ) throughout September (SB, HB, MAK, Kevin Pyle, Marshall Rawson, Marc EM). Baltimore Orioles left Northern Ribaudo (MRi), Peter Ross, James Spitz - Three Cackling Geese were seen with a Virginia on time, with the last ones re - nas, Louis Warren, Michael Webster, large flock of Canada Geese at ported 6 Sep (MRi). A Purple Finch was Paul and Joan Woodward, R. and C. Riverview Park in Radford 23 Oct (CK). sighted battling House Finches for space Young At Gala , there reports of 34 Wood at a feeder at C.F. Smith, with a Pine Ducks 18 Aug and 75 on 27 Sep (BK). Siskin found feeding on the ground One American Wigeon was seen flying nearby 22 Oct (VK). with Mallards at Riverview Park , Radford West 23 Oct . A male Northern Shoveler was This Region includes the Shenandoah Contributors: Frederick Atwood, Scott also observed there the same day (CK). Valley, south to the New River Valley, and Baron, Jacob Barkett, Len Bisson, Justin Blue-winged Teal were reported from is part of Virginia’s Mountains and Val - Bosler(JBo), P.W. Boyd, Debra Breton, Greenfield Lake , Botetourt six on 28 Aug leys physiographic region. It is comprised William Brown, Thomas Brooks, Scott (KD) and 15 on 17 Sep (MF) and from of the counties of (from North to South) Bush(SBu), Joe Coleman, Greg Davis, Riverview Park in Radford seven on 19 Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, Gerald Dewey (GDe), Art Drauglis, Sep and four on 25 Sep (CK). One Buf - Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Ann Driscoll (ADri), David Engelen, flehead was observed 20 Oct in the Bath, Rockbridge, Botetourt, Alleghany, David Farner, Nicholas Flanders, Peter Fishersville area of Augusta (AL). In Craig, Giles, Roanoke, Montgomery and Frechtel, Harry Glasgow, Glen Hawley, Greenville, Augusta 36 Turkeys provided Pulaski. a new county peak count (TF). A Red- throated Loon , rarely reported in the Region, was seen flying north at Claytor 23 Oct (MM) and 65 Common Loons were there 24 Nov (MB & SB). Forty Pied-billed Grebes were tallied 18 Nov, the same day as a CLARK’S/WEST - ERN GREBE  was seen flying at Claytor Lake (MM ). Thirty Great Blue Herons and 8 Great Egrets were tallied at Gala 18 Aug (BK ). Three Great Egrets were also reported at Lyndhurst , Augusta 18 Oct (DP).

Eleven Green Herons were present at Gala 18 Aug (BK). A new Augusta fall peak count of 20 Green Herons was set 1 Aug (AL). A somewhat late Green Heron was observed on the New R . in Radford 5 Nov (CK). Black-crowned Night-Heron observations included one in Waynesboro 5 Aug (EC), three along the Luray Hawksbill Greenway , Page 5 Sep (PK) and three at Bisset Park in Rad - ford 19 Sept (CK). White Ibis is a rare and irregular visitors to the Mountains Immature White Ibis in Montgomery. The species is a rare and irregular visi - and Valley so an immature bird pho - tographed at the Virginia Tech Duck tor to the Mountains and Valley area. Photograph by Doug Pfeiffer. 6 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 7

HUMMINGBIRD  visited feeders 8–10 Nov Pulaski furnishing a first local record and possibly the first adult male reported in the state. A rather late singing Whip-poor-will was heard 2 Oct at Poverty Hollow , Montgomery (RM). At least 455 Chimney Swifts emerged from a chimney of a building at Virginia Tech, Montgomery on 3 Oct (CK). Four Red- headed Woodpeckers were seen 13 through 24 Sep in Blacksburg Montgomery (JW). An Olive-sided Flycatcher was found 17 Sep near Prices Fork , Mont - gomery (JW). A Loggerhead Shrike was at Swoope , Augusta 9 Oct (AL). The species was also observed in a few loca - tions near Dublin during Nov with two found along a Pulaski farm road 21 Nov (AK & CK). A Philadelphia Vireo was seen on Mill Mountain , Roanoke 5 Sep (KD & MS) and one was also located in Prices Fork , Montgomery 21 Sep (JW). Purple Martins were last seen in Rad - ford 9 Aug (CK). Small numbers of Bank Swallows were at Riverview Park in Radford throughout Aug and early Sep with a peak of six on 15 Aug (CK). These This adult male Black-chinned Hummingbird visited feeders in Pulaski for sightings were likely of migrant birds three days in November. Photograph by Mark Mullins since there had been none observed dur - ing nesting season. were Pond, Montgomery 24 Aug was interesting & MS) and nineteen were found on 27 Cliff Swallows last observed in Radford on 19 Aug (p. DPf). Raptor reports included a Aug. (KD, BK, & MS). A Least Sand - (CK). New Augusta peak counts were set Northern Harrier in Blacksburg’s Her - piper was at the Virginia Tech Duck - for both kinglet species on 14 Oct, with itage Park , Montgomery 8 Sept (NS), a pond , Montgomery 29 Aug (CK). Wilson’s 31 Golden-crowned and 72 Ruby- Merlin observed at the foot of Poor Snipe was observed at Greenfield Lake , crowned (AL). A Marsh Wren was ob - Mountain , Roanoke 5 Oct (CB & EB) and Botetourt 11 Nov (AB). Eurasian Col - served at Gala, Botetourt BK. A Sedge a another seen at NRV Commerce Park , lared Doves  were observed in small Wren was found in Blacksburg , Mont - Pulaski 13 Nov (AB) , and a Peregrine numbers throughout the period in the gomery 25 Sep (RM). Forty Gray Catbirds Falcon observed downstream of Claytor New River Valley, with a peak of 35 tal - and 10 Brown Thrashers were tallied Dam , Pulaski 21 Nov (BA). Three Soras lied in Belspring , Pulaski 30 Nov (SB). near Prices Fork , Montgomery 27 Sep (JW). were scoped at Greenfield Lake , Botetourt Fifteen were Yellow-billed Cuckoos An adult was feeding 11 Sept (BK ); Soras persisted there counted near Prices Fork , Montgomery 5 Cedar Waxwing young in a nest, McCormick’s Mill , Au - through at least 17 Sep with one ob - Sep (JW), while three were reported gusta 15 Sept. (JK) . An served on that date (SL & PO). Three along the , Augusta 28 Orange-crowned Warbler was found 27 Sep near Prices Semipalmated Plovers were located at Sep (AL). An immature Selasphorus hum - Fork , Montgomery (JW), one was also in the Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant 19 mingbird visiting feeders in Pulaski for a Wildwood Park in Radford, 31 Oct (CK) Aug (KD, MA, MS) and six Solitary couple of weeks in Oct was banded and and another was at Whitethorne , Mont - Sandpipers were observed there 19 Aug identified as a Rufous Hummingbird gomery 11 Nov (RM). A (KD & MS). The observation of a Soli - on 24 Oct by Bruce Peterjohn (MM). A Nashville War - was found at Gala 27 Sep (BK) and tary Sandpiper on 6 Nov in Fishersville stayed bler Ruby-throated Hummingbird one was reported the same day near Augusta (AL) set a new local late fall mi - for most of Nov in Lyndhurst , Augusta Prices Fork , Montgomery (JW). A new local gration date. One Sanderling was found furnishing a third Nov county record peak count of 165 at the Roanoke Sewage Treatment Plant (AL) . A beautiful leucistic Ruby-throat Yellow-rumped War - blers was tallied 14 Oct Augusta (AL). 27 Aug. (KD, BK, & MS); eight Western was observed 12–14 Sep in Rockbridge One Connecticut Warbler was seen Sandpipers were there on 19 Aug. (KD (WR, p. SR ). A BLACK-CHINNED Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 7 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 8

near Prices Fork , Montgomery 2 Oct (JW). Mark Mullins , Pam Ogden, Dan P.O. Box 8807, A Wilson’s Warbler was found on the Perkuchin , Doug Pfeiffer (DPf) , Mike Richmond, VA 23225 Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke Mountain , Purdy (MP) , Steve Richards ,Wendy [email protected] Roanoke 29 Aug (KD) and one was near Richards , Mike Smith , Nils Steika , John Prices Fork 8 Sep (JW). Another Wilson’s Willson uring the 2010 fall season 229 was observed eating a katydid 20 Sep species were reported in the along the Huckleberry Trail near the New Northern Neck and the Middle River Valley Mall in Christiansburg , Mont - PDeninsula. Eleven Wood Storks in the Caledon Natural Area was a tremendous gomery (RC). Over 40 Eastern Towhees Central Albemarle, Amherst, Bedford, were at Pandapas Pond 19 Oct (TD). At find. Other highlights included an excel - Campbell, Caroline, Fluvanna, lent showing of shorebirds (26 species) Gala a Lincoln’s Sparrow was seen 27 Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Louisa, Sep (BK) and six were reported there on and warblers (28 species), Hudsonian Nelson, Orange, Powhatan, 10 Oct (WT). One Lincoln’s Sparrow was Godwit and Mourning Warbler being the Spotsylvania and Counties; and the found in Blacksburg , Montgomery 17 Oct pick of those observations. Also note - cities of Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, worthy was a Rufous Hummingbird. (CK). A Lapland Longspur was ob - and Lynchburg. served 15 Nov with a flock of Horned Abbreviations : Beaverdam (Beaverdam in a field near the NRV Airport , Larks Park/Reservoir , Gloucester ); Birthplace Pulaski (AK & CK). Ten Scarlet Tan - Editor — Tim Hodge, 5134 Cub (George Washington’s Birthplace Na - were tallied 28 Sep in the Prices agers Creek Road, Roseland, VA 22967, tional Monument, Westmoreland ); Elsing Fork area , Montgomery (JW). Summer [email protected] Green (private farm near Lanesville, is a rather uncommon migrant Tanager King William) ; Hughlett (Hughlett Point in the Region but there were four reports No report NAP, Northumberland) ; K. G. Ponds this fall in the New River Valley: one bird (Route 3 ponds , King George ), Mother - in Prices Fork , 31 Aug (JW); a Montgomery shead (tract of Rapp. R. NWR , West - female on the Huckleberry Trail , Mont - moreland ); The Pocket (a bend in the gomery 11 Sep (DM); one heard making its Pamunkey River in the Pamunkey chicky-tucky-tuck calls by the New River East Reservation, King William) ; Rapp. R. in Radford, 3 Oct (CK); and a female The Northern Neck, composed of King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, NWR. (Rappahannock R. Valley Na - photographed at Claytor 11 Oct (MM). tional Wildlife Refuge); WSP (West - Eight were Northumberland, and Lancaster Coun - Rose-breasted Grosbeaks moreland State Park, Westmoreland) ; found 28 Sep near Prices Fork , ties, is bordered by the Rappahannock Mont - Zoar (Zoar State Forest, King William ) gomery (JW). Three Blue Grosbeaks were and Potomac Rivers. The Middle Penin - found at the sewage treatment plant 27 sula includes King William, King and WATERFOWL—GREBES Aug (KD, BK & MS) and two females or Queen, Essex, Middlesex, Gloucester, Twenty-five species of waterfowl were and Mathews Counties and is bordered young males were in Radford’s Wildwood reported including 5 Cackling Geese , by the Rappahannock and Pamunkey/ Park 3 Oct. (CK). Eighteen Bobolinks King George 13 Nov, (FA) ; 3,455 Canada York Rivers. The Mattaponi River is the were present at Gala 27 Sept (BK), and Geese there 13 Nov, (FA) ;. and 10 Mute boundary between King William and two were located there on 10 Oct (WT). Swans at Beaverdam Nov 25 (GH, RH). Two Red Crossbills were perched in an King and Queen and it joins with the Pa - Tundra Swans were first reported for the oak tree by the Duck Pond at Virginia munkey River to form the York River in season on 13 Nov with 81 in King George West Point. Even though the northern Tech , Montgomery (3 Oct (CK). Two were (FA). Wood Ducks appeared to be more also found at Fenwick Mines , Craig 13 and eastern shorelines of the Northern abundant than last fall with a high count Nov (BH). Neck overlook the Maryland waters of of 110 in King William 12 Sept (FA) . The About 120 American Goldfinches the Potomac River those Maryland birds high count reported for last fall was 18 at are reported here since they are not re - were tallied at Gala 9 Oct (WT). Beaverdam . A count of 120 Gadwall ported anywhere else. was respectable King George 13 Nov (FA). Contributors : Bob Abraham , Mary Only 3 Blue-winged Teal were re - Ann Bentley , Stan Bentley , Allen Boyn - EDITOR—Fred Atwood, ported, two in King William on 12 Sept. ton , Carol Burroughs , Ed Burroughs , Flint Hill School, 10409 (FA) and two at Beaverdam (GH&RH). Ray Callahan , Elaine Carwile , Kent Academic Drive, American Black Ducks were scarce Davis , Tom Davis , Tish Folsom , Mary Oakton, VA 22124 with a high count of nine at Elsing Green Foster , Bill Hunley , Alan Kessler , Clyde [email protected] 12 Sept (FA). Other waterfowl high Kessler , Barry Kinzie , Allen Larner , counts included : 250 Mallard , Westmore - Sissy Logan, Don Mackler , Ryan Mays , GUEST EDITOR -Arun Bose, land 7 Nov (FA) ; 40 American Wigeons

8 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 9

King George ; 20 Northern Shovelers Els - birds were seen again on 28 Sept (JB, RG, Sept (GH, RH). A single Stilt Sandpiper ing Green 14 Nov (FA, TC) ; 80 North - JH, ML, RO). The last report of Osprey was at Caledon Natural Area 23 Sept ern Pintails Elsing Green 14 Nov (FA, was of one at New Point Comfort Pre - (ML, RO). Three Buff-breasted Sand - TC); 110 Green-winged Teals Westmore - serve 19 Oct (GH, RH). A tremendous pipers were observed with two at Leed - land 17 Oct, (FA) ; 4 Canvasbacks King count of 40 Bald Eagles (four adults) stown 29 Aug (FA) and one at Hughlett 8 George 13 Nov ; one Redhead King George was reported at K. G. Ponds (TC ). Single Sept (TS). 13 Nov; and 2238 Ring-necked Ducks Northern Harriers were widely re - King George 13 Nov (all FA). Two Greater ported with a high count of four 19 Nov TERNS—VIREOS There were no unusual gulls but King Scaup were at Beaverdam 16 Nov at Bethel Beach (GH, RH). The only re - George counts of 15 21 Nov (GH&RH) and 6 Lesser Scaup were in port of Broad-winged Hawk was from Bonaparte’s King George 13 Nov (FA). Other water - Birthplace 10 Oct (TC). There were two (SH, EM), and 4500 Laughing 13 Nov (FA) were decent. Of the six expected fowl reports were of 15 Surf Scoters reports of Merlin , one from Gloucester Bethel Beach 19 Nov (NAP, GH, RH) ; 10 Sept (JS, NT) and another from Rich - tern species recorded, 255 Least Terns were notable at Bethel Beach 13 Aug 60 Buffleheads King George 21 Nov (EM, mond 21 Nov. There were 2 Peregrines (GH, RH). A single SH) ; one Common Goldeneye K. G. reported with one at Caledon Natural Short-eared Owl was observed at Mothershead on 9, 10 Ponds 21 Nov (EM, SF, SH) ; 25 Hooded Area 28 Sept (JB, RG, JH) and one at the and 13 Nov (FA). A Mergansers K. G. Ponds Nov 21 (EM, Robert Norris Bridge in Lancaster 23 Nov. Common in Gloucester Co. 22 Sep SF, SH) ; one Red-breasted Merganser Bethel Beach continues to be a great lo - Nighthawk (GH RH) furnished the only report of 13 Nov (A McG, Gloucester Co.); and cation for Clapper Rails with 15 on 19 the species for the Region. The last re - 675 Ruddy Ducks King George 7 Nov Oct (GH, RH). Single Virginia Rails port of (FA). The high count for Wild Turkeys were found at Bethel Beach, Mathews Ruby-throated Hummingbird was 5 Oct Gloucester (GH RH). A was 35 Rapp. R. NWR. Mothershead (TC) and Richmond 21 Nov (FA). Soras Ru - was first Unit 13 Nov (FA) . Only 4 Northern were recorded from Westmoreland 29 Aug fous/Allen’s Hummingbird reported on 1 Nov (FP). Identity was Bobwhites were reported from two lo - and 17 Oct and King William 12 Sept cations this season (FA, SF). Loons were (FA). An impressive count of 1285 confirmed on 11 Nov as a hatch year fe - male when the scarce with only 7 Common Loons re - American Coot was made at The Pocket Rufous Hummingbird bird was trapped and banded. It contin - ported from five locations. Pied-billed on 14 Nov (FA, TC) . A good variety of ued to be observed until at least 13 Nov Grebes were found throughout the Re - shorebirds were reported with 26 species (FP) . were gion with a high count of 41 at Beaver - observed in the Region. American Red-headed Woodpeckers widely reported with a high count of six dam 24 Oct. (GH, RH). Three Northern Golden Plovers were regular from mid - King and Queen 21 Nov (FA). The earliest Gannets were seen in Gloucester from the October through early November at Virginia Institute for Marine Sciences K.G. Ponds. They peaked in number with report of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was from King George 4 Oct (TC). A beach 13 Nov (A McG). Brown Peli - a flock of 21 on 21 Oct (TC). Willets Yellow- was a good find at cans numbered 25 at Bethel Beach NAP, were seen bay-side in August and Sep - bellied Flycatcher Mathews (GH, RH). The high count for tember with reports from Mathews and Beaverdam 21 Oct (GH & RH). At Bethel Beach 2500 were Double-crested Cormorants was 212 Hughlett (GH, RH, BR). A single Up - Tree Swallows tallied 19 Oct (GH, RH) . The first at Bethel Beach NAP, Mathews 19 Oct land Sandpiper was a great find at Red- (GH, RH). Bethel Beach, Mathews 19 Oct (GH, RH), breasted Nuthatch was reported from King George on 15 Sep ; the species contin - as was a well observed Hudsonian God - ued to be reported there throughout the HERONS—SANDPIPERS wit at K.G. Ponds 17 –18 Oct (FA, TC). There were two reports of fall season (TC). The high count for the American Marbled Godwit was observed at Bethel Bittern , one from Richmond 21 Nov (FA ) Beach with single birds on 13 Aug, and species was five at New Point Comfort, and one from Hughlett 20 Aug (TS). 26 Sep (GH, RH), two on 19 Nov (GH, Mathews 15 Sept (GH, RH) and at Hick - Eight heron and egret species were found ory Hollow, Lancaster 11 Nov (TC). The RH) and 20 Nov (RAS). Two Ruddy in the Region : 56 at Elsing season’s first Brown Creeper was ob - Great Egrets Turnstones were a good inland find in Green 12 Sep (FA ); 5 Little Blue King George 7 Nov (FA). The only report served on 4 Oct in King George . (TC). All Beaverdam 13 Aug (GH&RH ); five expected wren species were Herons of Western Sandpiper was from Bethel 2 Tricolored Herons Bethel Beach, Beach, Mathews with three on 4 Sept recorded. A late House Wren was seen Mathews 13 Aug (GH&RH) ; 2 at WSP 7 Nov (TB). The first of the sea - Black- (GH, RH). Five White-rumped Sand - and 1 son was recorded at crowned Night-Herons Yellow- pipers were in King George 17 Nov (FA, Winter Wren Elsing Green 23 Beaverdam 2 Oct (GH & RH). A crowned Night-Heron TC). This season 4 Baird’s Sandpipers Sedge Sep ; and Cattle Egret Elsing Green 8 were reported, two in King George 29 Aug Wren was at Haven Beach, Mathews 21 Nov (FA). Perhaps the best report of the (FA) ; one at North Haven Beach, Mathews Nov (JS) and a Marsh Wren was seen on season was of 11 Wood Storks at Cale - 11 Sept (TC) ; and one at Beaverdam 27 the same date in Richmond (FA). Sixteen don Natural Area on 18 Sept (JTB); three Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was a good Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 9 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 10

count from King George 29 Aug (FA). In Farkas, Ron Gutberlet, George & Rose - WATERFOWL —RAPTORS King William 4 Veery, one Gray-cheeked marie Harris , Susan Haskew, John Thirty-seven Wood Ducks in the Elk Thrush and 6 Swainson’s Thrushes Hubbell, Mikey Lutmerding, Andrew Garden area of Russell 7 Nov was a high were observed on 12 Sept . McGann, Elton Morel, Rob Ostrowski, number for that area (JT). A few North - Fawn Palmer, Bruce Richardson, Tom WARBLERS—FINCHES ern Shovelers were discovered at RRL 5 Saunders, James Shelton, Joshua Stone, Nov (SB). A FOS Common Loon was It was a good warbler season with 28 Nicole Trimmer. species of warblers observed. Species observed at SHL 9 Sep (WC) and four more were on SHL at Washington included Blue-winged , King George 28 County Park 27 Nov (RB). An Aug(TC) ; Tennessee King George 15 & Eared Southwest in breeding plumage was found 17 Sep (TC) ; Orange Crowned Glouces - Grebe Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, on SHL 30 Aug (WC) and another one ter 19 Oct (GH, RH) ; Nashville , Floyd, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, was seen 24 Oct, as the species returned Northern Parula,Yellow, Chestnut- Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and for its 17th consecutive year of wintering sided Warbler, Magnolia, Cape May, Wythe Counties. there (RK). Three were Black-throated Blue, Yellow- Horned Grebes also on SHL 4 Nov (WC). The unusual rumped, Black-throated Green , Yel - sighting of a was reported low-throated, Pine, Prairie , Palm, EDITORS – Roger and Lynda May - Least Bittern at RRL 20 Aug (WC). Five Bay-breasted, Black-and-White, horn, HC 67 Box 44A, Pilgrims Great Egrets were found foraging in the New River at American Redstart, Prothonotary, Knob, VA 24634 Fries , Grayson 4 Aug (M & BD). Thirteen Worm-eating, Ovenbird , Northern [email protected] Great Egrets were discovered on Reed Waterthrush , Louisiana Waterthrush Crk ., Wythe 30 Aug (SB). are not Leedstown 13 Aug ( FA) ; Kentucky , Ospreys outhwest Virginia had a less than common in Buchanan , so it was unusual Mourning King William 12 Sept 12 average amount of precipitation that two were observed on the Levisa R. (FA), Common Yellowthroat , and for the four month period. August near the Virginia - Kentucky state line Hooded Warbler . Sparrow highlights and September had eight days of rain near the end of Aug (CT), and a third included 2 Grasshopper Sparrows King S each, October and November seven days was observed flying down the Levisa R. Georg e 17 Oct (FA) and a single report of rain each, and November also had at Vansant 2 Oct (R&L M). Three Bald of Nelson’s Sparrow Guinea Marsh , three days of snow. The average temper - Gloucester 26 Sep (NT, JS). Not always Eagles , 2 ads. and 1 juv. were observed atures for the period were 76 F in August, from Clifton Farms Rd ., Russell 14 Aug seen, Seaside Sparrow was observed at 74 F in September, 58 F in October and (TH). An imm. Bald Eagle was observed Hughlett on 11 Aug (BR), at Bethel 50 F in November. Interesting observa - Beach, Mathews 13 & 17 Aug and 4 & 26 at SHL 16 Aug and an adult was found in tions for the period included Eared the same area 20 Aug (WC). On 22 Aug Sep (GH, RH) and at Maryus , Gloucester Grebes returning to South Holston Lake 4 Sept (LB, MB). The only report of an ad. Bald Eagle was seen at Short Gap for the 17th winter and a Least Bittern in near the Tazewell - Buchanan county line. Fox Sparrow was in King William on 21 Wythe. Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and a (DR). Two ad. Bald Eagles on SHL , were Nov (FA). Lincoln’s Sparrow was a Mississippi Kite were observed during good find at Leedstown on 17 Oct. observed at the recently built eagle nest the Mendota Hawk Watch in Russell. A that has been used during the last two (FA). There were also 4 Lapland Bald Eagle was also in Tazewell and a breeding seasons (BL). An ad. Bald Eagle Longspurs there on 13 Nov (FA). Peregrine Falcon flew by an area in Dick - was sighted over the Little River , Russell There were a few reports of Rusty enson. Sora Rails were observed in 16 Aug (TH). A juv . Golden Eagle was Blackbirds ; one in Westmoreland 7 Nov, Grayson in September and October and three in King George 13 Nov (also re - observed hunting along Clifton Farms in Dickenson in October. Other interest - Rd in Russell 16 Aug (TH). Golden Eagles ported at Motherhead the same day), 23 ing species for the period included: Log - in King William 14 Nov, and one in King have been observed in Russell during gerhead Shrike, Wilson’s Warbler, every month of the year except Jul (TH). and Queen (FA). Purple Finches were Connecticut Warbler, Western Tanager, widely reported. one in King George 4 The Mendota Hawk Watch was con - Lark Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, and ducted at the Mendota fire tower on Oct (TC) was the first reported and five Rusty Blackbird. was the high count , also from King Clinch Mt., Russell from 29 Aug through 5 Oct by Tom Hunter. Perhaps the most George , 13 Nov (FA). Pine Siskins put Abbreviations: BP (Breaks Interstate in an appearance with a high count of interesting day was 4 Sep when an imm. Park, Dickenson ); Compton (Compton Golden Eagle flew by followed forty-five 12 King George 3 Nov (TC). Mt., Buchanan) ; FOS (first of the sea - minutes later by an imm . MISSISSIPPI son ); RRL (Rural Retreat Lake , Wythe ); : Fred Atwood, Scott  (TH). During the count period Contributors SHL (South Holston Lake , Washington ) KITE Baron, Lee & Meredith Bell, Jim at the hawk watch 8,164 raptors were Brighton, Tiffany Corsello, Sandra counted: 32 Ospreys, 40 Bald Eagles, 7 10 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 11

don , Washington 1 Oct (RMi). A Yellow- lows for the 2010 breeding season (RM). bellied Flycatcher was discovered on Compton 3 Sep (RM). This furnished WARBLERS—FINCHES only the second report for Buchanan An ad. male Golden-winged Warbler (RM). A Loggerhead Shrike was on made an appearance at the annual War - Clifton Farms Rd ., Russell , a location bler Day on Compton Mt ., Buchanan 14 known to have nesting shrikes 14 Aug Sep (RM). Arriving fall migrants in - (TH) . Another loggerhead was observed cluded: 2 Magnolia Warblers Compton at Burkes Garden , Tazewell 19 Oct. (MS). 28 Aug (RM) ; one Cape May Warbler at A Red-breasted Nuthatch came to a a farm near Galax , Grayson 10 Sep (MD) ;. feeder in Woodlawn , Carroll 5 Oct (B&R a female Blackburnian Warbler at a P) and one was observed the next day at yard stream on Compton 25 Aug (RM) ; a feeder on Compton (RM). A FOS and Palm Warblers feeding in a yard in Brown Creeper was reported at Wood - the Breaks community 25 Sep (DR). A lawn , Carroll 16 Oct (BP). A Marsh male Blackpoll Warbler in breeding Wren appeared at a farm pond in Grayson plumage was observed at Hidden Valley 5 Oct (MD) and both Gray-cheeked Lake , Washington 28 Aug (GC). A male Wilson’s Warbler on Compton and Swainson’s Thrushes were found and female Cerulean Warbler came to a Mountain, Buchanan County. Photo - on the same farm 10 Sep (MD). First ob - yard on Compton 26 Aug (RM). A servations of migrating graph by Roger Mahorn Gray-cheeked Swainson’s Warbler was heard singing Thrushes were near Lebanon , Russell 21 in the BP 1 Sep (DR, ER), a late date for Sep (J&J T) and in Breaks, Buchanan 1 , 71 that species in the area. A melanistic Northern Harriers Sharp-shinned Oct (DR). New late dates for Swainson’s Hawks , 49 Cooper’s Hawks , 9 Red- Ovenbird came to a yard stream on Thrush and in Buchanan , 7,896 Wood Thrush Compton 10 Sep (ph. RM). An early mi - shouldered Hawks Broad- were established when a Wood Thrush , 8 , grating Northern Waterthrush was winged Hawks Red-tailed Hawks was observed on Compton 16 Oct, and a 3 Golden Eagles, 22 , found dead after striking a window in American Kestrels Swainson’s came to a yard stream 19 Oct 13 , 3 2 un - Lebanon , Russell 28 Aug (RC). A Con - Merlins Peregrine Falcons, (RM). The Buchanan County Bird Club’s known accipiters, 2 unknown falcons, 6 necticut Warbler appeared near a trail 68 nest boxes on three bluebird trails unknown raptors and 1 Mississippi Kite. on a farm near Galax 10 Oct (MD). A fledged 245 , 16 Another Golden Eagle was seen from Eastern Bluebirds Car - Wilson’s Warbler dropped down to and 60 Mountain Rd . Russell 19 Nov (TH). A olina Chickadees Tree Swal - bathe in a yard stream on Compton 31 Peregrine Falcon was found in Dickenson near the Buchanan - Dickenson line in the Breaks community 4 Nov (DR).

RAILS —THRUSHES Soras were on a farm pond near Galax , Grayson , one on 27 Sep and another on 19 Oct (BD). A Sora was discovered feeding around the edge of John Flanna - gan Reservoir , Dickenson 19 Oct (R&L M). This is the first reported sighting of the species in that area (RM). Gull and tern observations at SHL included: 7 Bonaparte’s Gulls 6 Nov (WC);one Herring Gull 20 Aug (WC) ; and at Spring Crk . 3 Caspian Terns 31 Jul (RC) and one 13 Sep (WC) ; one Forster’s Tern 27 Jul (RC) and 11 Black Terns 3 Sep (WC). On a Baywood farm near Galax , Grayson 1,230 Common Nighthawks were observed the evening A melanistic Ovenbird observed at a yard stream on Compton Mountain, of 25 Aug (BD). A late Ruby-throated Buchanan County. Photograph by Roger Mahorn Hummingbird was at a feeder in Abing - Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 11 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 12

Aug (ph. RM) , another was at a home in the Breaks community , Buchanan 25 Sep (DR); another Wilson’s had been found in that area earlier in the fall (DR). The annual Fall Migration Count took place again at a home on Compton from 20 Aug to 20 Oct. Seventy migrating species were recorded with 1,940 birds counted. Twenty-seven of the species were war - blers with 702 individual warblers counted. The warblers counted in de - scending order of abundance were : Ten - nessee Warbler (187), Yellow-rumped (136) , Magnolia (47), Cape May (42), Yellow-throated (42), Black-throated Green (37), Chestnut-sided (36) , Black - burnian (26), American Redstart (23), Bay-breasted (21), Worm-eating (18), Hooded (15), Black-and-White (12) , Palm (12), Common Yellowthroat (7), Northern Parula (6), Yellow-breasted Chat (6), Blue-winged (5) , Blackpoll (4), Black-throated Blue (4), Kentucky (4) , Cerulean (3), Pine (3) , Ovenbird (3), Nashville (1), Golden-wing ed (1) and Wilson’s (1) (RM) . Transient Summer Tanager was first observed on Comp - ton, Buchanan 9 Sep (RM) and a new late date for Scarlet Tanager in Buchanan was established 16 Oct when a male was found also on Compton (RM). A WESTERN TANAGER  discovered at Guest Mt . provided the third observa - tion for Wise 29 Aug (RP). A Vesper Sparrow was found on Cemetery Rd ., Evening Grosbeak on Compton Mountain, Buchanan County. Photograph by Dickenson 4 Nov (DR). A LARK SPAR - Roger Mahorn ROW was discovered in Rocky Hollow near Troutdale , Grayson 2 Aug (AB, GK). came to a feeder on Compton in Contributors: Stan Bentley, Rob Biller, A LE CONTE’S SPARROW was ob - Buchanan 30 Nov (RM). Five Rusty Allen Boynton, Wallace Coffey, Gary served in a field in Breaks 27 Sep (DR). Blackbirds were at a feeder on Compton Cooper, Rack Cross, Bill Dunson, Mar - First seasonal observations of Lincoln’s 1 Nov (RM), a single bird was found near garet Dunson, Margaret & Bill Dunson, Sparrows were in a field near Galax , SHL 1 Nov (MS) and sixteen came to a Tom Hunter, Rick Knight, Gale Kue - Grayson 30 Sep (MD) and at a yard stream feeder in Breaks 15 Nov (DR). Purple bler, Bill Lawson, Richard Lewis, Roger on Compton 12 Oct (RM) where a FOS Finch arrivals were noted at a home in Mayhorn, Roger & Lynda Mayhorn, Ray Fox Sparrow also appeared 18 Nov Independence , Grayson 29 Oct (SJR) and Minor (RMi), Richard Peake, Bob (RM). The FOS White-throated Spar - at a feeder in Breaks, Buchanan 3 Oct Perkins, Rena Perkins (R Per), Bob & row for Buchanan was observed 3 Oct at (DR). Pine Siskin arrivals were noted at Rena Perkins, David Raines, Ernest a home in Breaks (DR), and the first ones feeders in a Lebanon , Russell 1 Nov (JT) , Raines, Scott Jackon-Ricketts, Mike for Carroll were at a home in Woodlawn in Compton, Buchanan 4 Nov (RM) and Sanders, Cheryl Thompson, Jerry 2 Nov (BP). A FOS Dark-eyed Junco in Washington 2 Nov (MS). More than 20 Thornhill came to a yard on Compton 3 Oct (RM), Purple Finches and 20 Pine Siskins and the first one for Carroll was at a back - appeared in a yard in Lebanon , Russell 4 yard feeder in Woodlawn 22 Oct (RPer). Nov (TH). A female EVENING GROSBEAK

12 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 13

Egret with a bicolored bill was at SVP 24 species in this under birded county . A Aug along with a Snowy Egret and 11 somewhat late yellow (Eastern) Hypo- South Central Little Blue Herons (AD). Eleven juve - chrysea Palm Warbler was at Dick Cross Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, nile White Ibis were seen at SRSP 22 3 Nov (AD). The Kerr Lake Fall Bird Halifax, Charlotte, Appomattox, Buck- Aug (PG). The exposed mudflats in the Count was held 17 Sep, and one of the ingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Prince upper reaches of the Staunton River at - highlights was a report of 12 warbler Edward, Nottoway, Dinwiddie, Lun- tracted a number of unusual migrant species, including a Worm-eating War - enburg, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and shorebird species in early September. bler at Dick Cross (PG, AD). A late Greensville Counties, and the cities of Highlights included a single Black-bel - Scarlet Tanager was at a backyard bird Danville, Emporia, and Martinsville. lied Plover at SVP 4 and 6 Sep, and as bath 26–27 Oct in South Boston, Halifax EDITOR Wendy Ealding, 1384 many as 6 American Golden Plovers at (JB) . Vesper and Lincoln’s were among Palmore Road, Powhatan, VA SRSP 12 Sep (PG) . A Whimbrel at SVP nine sparrow species at James River SP, 23139 on 4 and 6 Sep provided the fourth Pied - Buckingham 1 Nov (RB, PL, SS) . Well out - [email protected] mont record for the species (PG , AD, side of normal South Central Piedmont TT ). A Western Sandpiper was at SVP late dates, a female/immature male Blue Abbreviations: SVP (Staunton View 4 Sep and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper Grosbeak was at Amelia WMA, Amelia Park, Mecklenburg ); SRSP (Staunton was at SRSP 12 Sep (PG). The low water 24 Oct (WE, PE, MW) . There were sev - River State Park, Halifax ); Dick Cross conditions continued through Novem - eral interesting icterid reports this fall sea - (Dick Cross WMA, Mecklenburg ); Law - ber, when a late Least Sandpiper was son. Thirty Bobolinks were at SRSP 3 son’s Creek (Lawson’s Creek WMA, recorded at SRSP 28 Nov, along with 2 Oct (PG) ; this is somewhat late. A single Halifax ); Dunlin and 21 Wilson’s Snipe (PG). individual Rusty Blackbirds was at Bonaparte’s Gulls showed up a little SRSP 23 Oct (PG) and about 30 were ugust and September continued early with five reported from SRSP 23 seen feeding in a wet wooded area during hot and dry and October and Oct and a flock of 50 at the same loca - a Southside Bird Club trip to the River - November were warmer and tion 23 Oct (PG) . Any tern species is un - walk Trail in Danville 13 Nov (MF) . Indi - drier than average. The prolonged usual in the Piedmont; noteworthy were cations of the start of the “winter finch” A 5 Caspian Terns at SVP 6 Sep and 9 season included multiple reports of Pur - drought, that began in the summer, con - tinued to have an impact on the water Black Terns at SRSP 22 Aug (PG) . ple Finch from Lunenburg 22 Oct (SD), levels in the upper reaches of the South Boston, Halifax 10 Oct (JB) and 3 Staunton River, which was a hot spot for DOVES—SISKIN Nov (PG) . Pine Siskin reports included large numbers of post-breeding water - Two Eurasian Collared-Doves reap - seven at a feeder 30 Oct in Lunenburg birds and migrating shorebirds. peared in South Boston , Halifax 18 Aug (SD), 11 in Dinwiddie 3 Nov (AD) and (PG) after an absence of six weeks. five at a feeder 23 Nov in Eastern Buck - Common Raven is increasingly being ingham (ES, DS) DUCKS—TERNS found south and east of its traditional were reported in Blue-winged Teal range, with a report from Lawson’s Creek Jeff Blalock, Rexanne fairly large numbers at SVP with a count Contributors: 24 Oct and downtown South Boston , Bruno, Adam D’Onofrio, Sue of 21 on 28 Aug, and 22 on 6 Sep (PG). Halifax 22 Nov (PG). This latter report D’Onofrio, Wendy Ealding , Patty Elton, A group of 14 Redheads was at SRSP may be the same individual reported Mary Foster, Paul Glass , Peggy Lyons, 28 Nov (PG) . A covey of 5 Northern from this location in October 2009. Red- David Spears, Evan Spears, Susan Stan - Bobwhites was reported from Clarks- breasted Nuthatches , one of the suite ville, Mecklenburg 21 Oct (JB) and nine ton, Tina Trice, Mary Anna Wilcox of boreal irruptives, were seen at feeders were at Lawson’s Creek 25 Sep (PG) . in Pittsylvania 11 Oct (MF), South Boston, was seen in Lunenburg Northern Harrier Halifax 2 Nov (PG) and eastern Bucking - 1 Nov (one male) and 11 Nov (pair); per ham 19 Nov (DS) . Considered a rare tran - the observer the species has declined in sient, and one that is probably recent years in this county (SD). A rare under-reported in the region, a Gray- transient Merlin circled over a yard in cheeked Thrush was seen at Amelia South Boston, Halifax 9 Oct (PG) and a WMA, Amelia 3 Oct (WE) . A flyover was reported from Lawson’s Nashville foraged in holly bushes in a yard Creek 24 Oct (PG). A very large flock of Warbler in Lunenburg 12 Oct (AD, SD) . Somewhat 164 were counted as they Great Egrets late for the Piedmont, a headed to roost at SRSP 22 Aug (PG) Magnolia War - at Amelia WMA, Amelia 17 Oct and a relatively late single bird was at the bler (WE) may provide a first record for the same location 23 Oct (PG) . A Great Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 13 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 14

This Red-necked Phalarope, a rare visitor inland on the coastal plain, was photographed at Hog Island W.M.A. by Adam D'Onofrio

Richmond 1 Aug and remained until at least 5 Aug (SR, RAS, ph. JU, BS). Other imm. Little Blue Herons included one at Hog 23 Aug (NF, EE) and one in Charles City 13 Sep (AB). Reports of Cattle Black-bellied Whistling Duck photographed at Swift Creek Reservoir from Egrets in the Region included a single Sunday Park in the Brandermill subdivision of Chesterfield. Photograph by bird at Crewes Channel, Henrico 1 Aug Pamela Smith (FD) and 8 Aug (AB) and late single birds area and were rewarded with interesting at Turkey Island Rd., Henrico 23 Oct (AD) sightings. and at Harrison Lake Fish Hatchery, Southeast The bird of the season was the hatch Charles City 24 Oct (AB). Two late Cattle Henrico, Charles City, Chesterfield, James year Allen’s Hummingbird in Chester. Egrets were at Drummond’s Field, James City, New Kent, Prince George, Sussex, Other rarities included Black-bellied City 29 Oct (DC). Two imm. Yellow- Surrey, Southampton, Isle of Wight, and Whistling-Duck, Ross’s Goose and Red- crowned Night-Herons were flyovers York Counties; and the cities of Rich - necked Phalarope. mond, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, and Petersburg. Abbreviations: Greensprings (Green - EDITOR — Adam D'Onofrio, 25118 springs Trail, James City), Hog (Hog Is - Smith Grove Road, Petersburg, VA land W.M.A., Surry ), J.R.P. (James River 23803 Park System, Richmond), Ragged Island [email protected] (Ragged Island W.M.A., Isle of Wight ). xtremely warm temperatures continued from the summer sea - WATERFOWL—SHOREBIRDS son and lingered into October. A BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING- BEoth August and September averaged DUCK  was photographed at Swift temperatures 4.2 degrees above normal. Creek Reservoir from Sunday Park in the October temperatures averaged 2.8 de - Brandermill subdivision, Chesterfield 30 grees above normal before becoming Aug (PS). A single ROSS’S GOOSE was more seasonal in November. Precipita - among 700 Snow Geese at Curles Neck tion for the period was, on average, nor - Farm, Henrico 14 Nov (RAS). An early mal due to high amounts of precipitation American Wigeon was in the southern in September which offset low amounts impoundment at Hog 29 Aug (AD, NF). for the other three months. A covey of 20 Northern Bobwhite was The birding highlight of the season was flushed at Zuni Pine Barrens, Isle of Wight good shorebirding at Hog Island in 16 Sep (NF). There were approximately Surry County during the months of Au - 147 Great Egrets and 13 Snowy Egrets gust and September. The water levels counted at Hog 22 Aug (AD). Two and grassy field conditions at Hog can Snowy Egrets were in Charles City 13 Sep vary from year to year. This year condi - (AB); another was at New Quarter Park, Little Blue Heron at Bryan Park, tions were good for a variety of shore - York 23 Oct (BW). An imm. Little Blue Richmond. Bob Schamerhorn photo birds and many birders got out to the Heron was discovered at Bryan Park, ( www.iPhotoBirds.com) 14 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 15

were also reported from Charles City 13 1 Aug (SR, RAS). Reports of Common Sep (AB). A somewhat late Pectoral Ravens in the Richmond area have be - Sandpiper was found at Hog 14 Nov come expected as of late and this season (NF). Up to sixteen Stilt Sandpipers was no exception with two reports. A sin - were counted at Hog on two occasions, gle Common Raven was seen sitting on a 22 Aug (AD) and 14 Sep (FD). A single lamp post on the Bryan Park interchange, Stilt Sandpiper was at Shirley Plantation, Richmond 4 Aug (AB) Two Common Charles City 1 Aug (FD). A single Buff- Ravens were heard and then seen flying breasted Sandpiper , discovered at Hog over Dutch Gap Conservation Area, 22 Aug (ph.AD), was joined by others to Chesterfield 20 Nov (PB). Several reports produce a high count of 13 on 30 Aug of Red-breasted Nuthatches were ex - (ph.KK, m.obs). The last Buff-breasted pected in a predicted irruption year for Sandpiper report from Hog was one of a the species. A Sedge Wren was heard single bird in the southern impoundment calling from a marsh at Ragged Island 9 14 Sep (NF, EE, DB). Elsewhere, 2 Buff- Nov (NF). A predawn flyover of 61 breasted Sandpipers were noted in Charles Veerys were detected by flight calls at 13 Sep (AB). Two Greensprings 11 Sep (BW). Other thrush Allen's Hummingbird photographed City American Wood - were near Roxbury, Charles City 8 species detected by flight calls during at a feeder in Chester during a De - cocks Oct (BW). Two Wilson’s Phalaropes , predawn at Greensprings were 8 Gray- cember 26 snowstorm. The bird very uncommon inland on the coastal cheeked Thrushes 10 Oct, 1 Bicknell’s was originally observed and banded plain, were in the southern impoundment Thrush 10 Oct, 23 Swainson’s in November. Photograph by Julie Kac - at Hog 4 Sep (FD, GK, MAK). A single Thrushes 10 Oct and 15 Swainson’s marcik Red-necked Phalarope , also rare inland Thrushes 11 Sep (BW). A slightly early on the coastal plain, was seen in the Swainson’s Thrush was noted from Mor - at Ragged Island 29 Aug (NF). A juv. southern impoundment at Hog 11 Sep ris Creek, Charles City 4 Sep (NF). A m. White Ibis was photographed at a marsh (ph. AD, TT). Blue-winged Warbler , uncommon to in Henrico 1 Sep (PS). Another juv. was rare on the coastal plain, was at Green - noted in Charles City 13 Sep (AB) and a springs 5 Sep (BW). A hatch year f. third was near Roxbury, Charles City 21 TERNS—FINCHES An incredible count of 811 Caspian Nashville Warbler was encountered at Sep (BW) A Glossy Ibis was at Hog 25 Terns was made at Hog 23 Aug (BT). J.R.P. 14 Sep (DB, AB). An ad. m. Cape Aug (BW, NF, EE). A Sora was heard at This number is an apparent all time high May Warbler was beautifully pho - Hog 14 Sep (NF, EE). Another Sora was count for the state. Three tographed at a residential water feature in calling from a marsh on Morris Creek, Black Terns were at Hog 23 Aug (NF, EE). A Barn Richmond 22 Sep (BS). A latish f. Black- Charles City 4 Sep (NF). Two Common Owl was seen near Roxbury, Charles City throated Blue Warbler was found at Moorhens were also noted from this 7 Sep (BW). Two were Rockwood Park, Chesterfield 21 Oct (WE). same marsh. Another Common Whip-poor-wills singing simultaneously near Roxbury, A Blackburnian Warbler , a fairly rare Moorhen was discovered at Rockwood Charles City 7 Sep. One bird was still transient, was at the Reedy Creek section Park, Chesterfield 28 Oct (WE). Five singing at that location on 21 Sep (BW). of J.R.P. 28 Sep (PB). A Cerulean War - Black-bellied Plovers were seen at Hog A very late ad. m. Ruby-throated Hum - bler , very rarely detected in migration, 14 Nov (HRBC). Two molting ad. Amer - mingbird was seen in the Stratford Hills was reported from Bryan Park 1 Aug (SR, ican Golden-Plovers were found at Hog area of Richmond 17 Oct (AS). A Selas - RAS). A Wilson’s Warbler was at the 25 Aug (BW) and remained until at least nd hummingbird, first seen in a resi - 42 St. section of J.R.P. 9 Sep (PB). A 30 Aug (ph. KK, m.obs). A leucistic phorus dential yard in Chester, Chesterfield on 20 Canada Warbler was noted at the Wet - Killdeer at Hog 22 Aug was interesting Nov feeding on Mexican Sage (ph. JK), lands section of J.R.P. 8 Sep (AB). At (ph. AD). The only Upland Sandpiper was captured and banded by Bruce Peter - least six Nelson’s Sparrows and several report came from Hog 29 Aug (AB). john and David Holmes on 26 Nov and Seaside Sparrows were detected in veg - Three Sanderling , uncommon transients proved to be a hatch year f. etation along the James R. shoreline at west of the Chesapeake Bay, were noted ALLEN’S , establishing the Ragged Island 9 Nov (NF). An imm. at Hog 14 Sep (NF, EE). Two Western HUMMINGBIRD third state record. The bird was still pres - White-crowned Sparrow was at Main - Sandpipers were at Crewes Channel, ent in the same yard coming to various land Farm, James City 17 Oct (BW). A late Henrico 1 Aug (FD). Another Western m. Rose-breasted Grosbeak showed up Sandpiper was seen at Hog 14 Nov feeders at the end of the period (m.obs). An perched at a residential feeder in the Richmond (HRBC). Three White-rumped Sand - Olive-sided Flycatcher atop a dead snag was a good find and area 12 & 13 Nov (BSa). Twenty-one pipers were at Hog 29 Aug (AB, AD, NF, Blue Grosbeaks was a nice count near EE). Three White-rumped Sandpipers somewhat early at Bryan Park, Richmond Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 15 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 16

Roxbury, Charles City 7 Sep (BW). A call - ing Dickcissel was a flyover at Zuni Pine Barrens, Isle of Wight 28 Aug (NF). Rusty Blackbirds are a declining species so 36 at Greensprings 15 Nov (BW) was en - couraging. Three Rusty Blackbirds were near Roxbury, Charles City 14 Nov (BW). Lingering Baltimore Orioles included one in the Stratford Hills area of Rich - mond 1 Nov (AS), one male at a feeder in Ford’s Colony, James City 2&3 Nov (ph. GT) and another m. at a feeder in Gov - ernor’s Land, James City 28 Nov (ph. CO). Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were reported on several occasions in what ap - pears to be an irruption year for both species.

Contributors: Paul Bedell, Arun Bose, David Bryan, Dan Cristol, Fenton Day, Northern Goshawk photographed from the Kiptopeke Hawk Watch. Photo - Adam D’Onofrio, Wendy Ealding, Elisa graph by Steve Thornhill Enders, Nick Flanders, Hampton Roads Bird Club, Julie Kacmarcik, Karen winds that pushed 15–18 foot waves to - of the highest in North America. In ad - Kearney, Mary Alice Koeneke, Glenn wards coastal beaches. The annual rainfall dition to that work, the CCB initiated an Koppel, Carol O’Neil, Richmond total at Norfolk was ~6.0 inches above Ipswich Savannah Sparrow study, contin - Audubon Society, Sue Ridd, Betsy Saun - average as the report period ended. Dis - ued monitoring migrating Northern Saw- ders (BSa), Bob Schamerhorn, Pamela cerning eyes will detect among the fol - whet Owls, and extended its wintering Smith, Anita Storino, Gale Treiber, Tina lowing accounts impressive species marsh bird investigations designed to de - Trice, Jerry Uhlman, Bill Williams. diversity and abundance associated with lineate species and subspecies distribu - two significant passerine flights. The first tion, mercury loads, and site fidelity and on 8 October delivered in excess of habitat use throughout the Bay and sea - 10,000 wood warblers through the side marshes. Regular surveys of the forested bluff at the Sunset Beach Resort Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge/False Coastal in lower Northampton County. The sec - Cape State Park complex as well as Accomack and Northampton Coun - ond came 29 October on the back draft weekly counts at Craney Island added ties; Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel; of a massive frontal system that tracked even more depth to the report season. Pelagic area; and the cities of Chesa - across the continent 24–29 October. The Among the pedal-to-the-metal species peake, Hampton, Newport News, Kiptopeke Songbird Banding Station op - that revved up the Region were Ross’s Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suf - erated for a 48 th consecutive fall, 18 Au - Goose, Garganey, White-cheeked Pintail, folk, and Virginia Beach. gust–22 November, under the auspices Yellow Rail, Sandhill Crane, Long-billed of the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observa - Curlew, White-winged Dove, Ash- EDITOR — Bill Williams, Center tory and . Staff throated Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, for Conservation Biology, College banded 8,391 birds of 95 species during Bell’s Vireo, Cave Swallow, Northern of William and Mary, P.O. Box 13,072.45 net hours equating to 64 Wheatear, and Yellow-headed Blackbird. 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187 birds/100 net hours. For a second con - [email protected] secutive fall the Center for Conservation Abbreviations: AHY (after hatch year); Biology (CCB) at the College of William Back Bay (Back Bay NWR, Virginia urricane Earl was unique among and Mary/Virginia Commonwealth Uni - Beach); Cape Charles (town of Cape the season’s 12 Atlantic tropical versity manned a passerine banding proj - Charles, Northampton ); CBBT (Chesa - disturbances as the only one to ect on the Eastern Shore of Virginia peake Bay Bridge Tunnel s. of Northamp - sHuggest a threat to the Region. Dimin - National Wildlife Refuge, this year 31 Au - ton ); CCB (Center for Conservation ished by a cold front, its eye passed an gust–30 November. Researchers pro- Biology at the College of William & uneventful 85 miles east of the coast 3 cessed 11,683 birds in 6,874 hours. That Mary/Virginia Commonwealth Univer - September with 35–50 mph onshore station’s 170 birds/100 net hours was one sity); Chinc. (Chincoteague NWR, Acco -

16 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 17

of origin will be at play with potentially Hawks ; 9 Northern Goshawks ; 116 the state’s fourth GARGANEY, this an Red-shouldered Hawks ; 964 Broad- ad. female at Chinc. 6 Sep (NB) , and a winged Hawks ; 857 Red-tailed WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL  Hawks ; 8 Golden Eagles ; 4002 Amer - (the state’s fifth) , also at Chinc. , 4 Sep ican Kestrels ; 1799 Merlins ; 751 Pere - (ph. JE) thru 21 Sep (fide JC). Whether grine Falcons ; 3 unidentified . Thirty- the latter subsequently emigrated to the eight percent (8878 birds) of the count North Carolina Outer Banks will be as total was recorded 4–13 Oct . The sea - speculative as its provenance, made all son’s highest volume flight day was 10 the more perplexing by one reported at Oct with 2045 raptors among which were Hatteras Village, NC the 3 rd week of May one-day high counts for Osprey (366), 2010. A female Common Eider and a Sharp-shinned Hawk ( 775), and Pere - female Harlequin Duck were off #4 grine Falcon ( 138). The Northern CBBT 19 Nov (BTk, DL, et al .); possibly Goshawks recorded were : two on 30 Oct the same Harlequin Duck was at #1 (ph. ST); one each on 2 & 8 Nov ; two on A proportionately small-bodied, CBBT 21 (AL, E&NL) & 22 Nov (ph. 20 Nov; and singles on 21, 22, and 25 BH) . A was at Craney 9 Nov (ZP, BC ). A light-morph small-billed, dull alternate plumaged Wild Turkey Rough- Sep (AM, RB, SD, BW) . A deceased legged Hawk was at Wallops Island, Ac - Dunlin at Chincoteague NWR was color-banded Common Loon found comack 7 Nov (SB , et al.). In addition to possibly the Greenland subspecies. near KSP had been banded as a juv. at the 8 KHW Golden Eagles (singles 15 & Photograph by Robert Young Three Lakes, Wisconsin14 Jul 2009 (fide 16 Oct; two on 22 Oct; singles on 1, 2, 7 & 9 Nov) (ZP) was one at Chinc. 29 Oct mack ); Craney (Craney Island Disposal HA) . Two Wilson’s-Storm Petrels were (JE) . A was flushed twice by Area, Portmouth); CVWO (Coastal Vir - off the CBBT Wise Point pull-off, Yellow Rail CCB researchers in a lower ginia Wildlife Observatory); Dismal (Dis - Northampton 3 Aug (DC). An American Northampton marsh 2 Oct (FS, CP, NBa, TJ, ZP) and mal Swamp NWR, Chesapeake/Suffolk); White Pelican was at Craney 19 Aug one was at Pond ESVNWR (Eastern Shore of Virginia (AB) ; two flew over ESVNWR 7 Nov Common Moorhen Drain, Northampton 15 Nov (HA) . A “wa - NWR, Northampton ); False Cape (False (AD, SB, PG, TT) . A Great Cormorant terfowl farm” near the Pine Grove Cape SP, Virginia Beach); FINWR (Fish - was at Sunset Beach 13 Nov (BW, MB) . Campground, Chincoteague, Accomack ermans Island NWR, Northampton ); Through the mid-1990s Cattle Egrets was believed to be the source for one to Grandview (Grandview Nature Preserve, were common fall transients, especially in 2 detected at Chinc. 12, Hampton); KHW (Kiptopeke Hawk s. Northampton , where groups of 100+ Sandhill Cranes 13 (FM) , & 16 Sep (JE), and 21 Nov (AL, Watch at KSP); KSP (Kiptopeke SP , were seen daily traversing to and from E&NL). Elsewhere, 2 at the KHW 10, 12 Northampton ); Sunset Beach (Sunset FINWR nocturnal roosts. Thus 25 at & 13 Nov (ZP, HA, MB, BT, BW) re - Beach Resort, Northampton ) Back Bay 31 Aug (NF) , 60 at Chinc. 10 Sep (NB), and one at Back Bay as late as mained in lower Northampton through at 24 Nov (DH, SDa, CH, PH) were note - least 29 Nov (RK) . WATERFOWL—CRANES worthy. A juv. Yellow-crowned Night- A was frequenting a pond Snow Goose Heron was feeding on crickets on near Magotha Road , Northampton 7 Aug SHOREBIRDS—OWLS FINWR 14 Oct (ph. BW) ; one to five Several Eastern Shore Birding and (GK, MAK) . Ross’s Geese were re - were regularly noted at the Old Domin - Wildlife Festival participants were treated ported at Chinc. by m.obs 15 Oct (JE) ion University Sailing Center, Norfolk 26 to 1,600+ at s. thru 26 Nov with a peak count of three Black-bellied Plovers Oct thru 29 Nov (NF) well past the Wreck (600)/n. Ship Shoal (~1,000) is - on 14 (ph. R&CY ) & 26 Nov (JE) . Re - species’ normal 10 Oct late date . A flock lands, Northampton 8 Oct (HA). Ameri - ports of Ross’s Goose X Snow Goose of 428 White Ibis at ESVNWR 22 Sep reports spanning the hybrids, all from Chinc. were: one 14 can Golden-Plover (CB ) tied the state’s previous peak count season and Region included two at Sher - Nov (ph. R&CY) ; two on 19 Nov (JF, set 23 Sep 2009 at Bull’s Landing, wood Gate, Arlington Road, Northampton AL, E&NL) ; and three on 26 Nov (JE) . th Northampton (ZP) . The 34 consecutive 29 Aug (NB); one there 6 Sep (NB); one Male Eurasian Wigeon sightings in - KHW, now a CVWO project, tallied at Craney 9 Sep (RB, SD, AM, BW) ; one cluded one to three at Chinc. 15 Oct-26 22,871 diurnal raptors in 797.25 hours to seven at Chinc. 7-25 Sep (JE, NB, SB, Nov (JE) and one at Craney 18 & 29 Nov over a remarkable 88 of 91 possible LM ); one in Cobb Island Bay, (ph. BW, SD, AM, BT). The peak re - Northamp - count days 1 Sep–30 Nov. Species totals ton 9 Oct (KG) ; and one at Bull’s Land - ported Blue-winged Teal count was were : 3348 Ospreys ; 437 Bald Eagles ; ing, 21 Nov (NB) . One of 2 1178 at Back Bay 24 Sep (DH) . Four Northampton 838 Northern Harriers ; 6978 Sharp- Piping Plovers at Grandview 22 Aug Northern Shovelers were at Craney 12 shinned Hawks ; 2761 Cooper’s (EE, NF) was color banded with a brood Aug (RB, SD, AM, BT, BW) . Questions Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 17 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 18

marker combination that indicated the 2 Sep (RB, SD, AM) ; four off Arlington ginia Beach 15 Oct thru 30 Nov (DS). bird was hatched in either 2009 or 2010 Road at Sherwood Gate, Northampton 4 Another was feeding at Mexican Sage at most likely at Whitefish Point, Michigan Sep (MB, BW) & 7 Sep (CB, ZP) ; one at a different Virginia Beach site 21 Nov (fide AH) . The peak reported Black- Chinc. 7 Sep (NB) & 16 Sep (JE) ; then (RH) the same day one was at the KHW necked Stilt count was 10 at Craney 19 five there 25 Sep (ABo, ABr) with two re - hummingbird feeder (ph. ZP). That Aug (RB, SD, AM, BT, BW); one was at maining 26 Sep (SB, AD, LM, TT) . feeder attracted a Selasphorus Chinc. 16 Sep (JE) . Craney also had the Among Long-billed Dowitcher reports rufous/sasin hummingbird 26 Oct (CB, highest number of American Avocets were one at Back Bay 25 Sep (EE) , 11 at SE, JR) . Very surprising was a Yellow- reported with 72 there 19 Aug (RB, SD, Chinc. 13 Nov (R&CY) and one there 20 bellied Sapsucker at Weyanoke Sanctu - AM, BT, BW). Other reports included Nov (AL, E&NL) . Five Wilson’s Snipe ary, Norfolk 13 Sep (AB) , 17 days ahead one at Chinc. 13 Sep (BA, RB, JV); one at Back Bay 31 Aug (NF) were ahead of of the species typical 30 Sep arrival. at Back Bay 18 Sep (AD, TT) ; and two at the species ’ average 5 Sep arrival. Wil - Northern Flickers have historically Craney 21 Oct (RB, AM, BT) . Three son’s Phalarope reports included five at been common passage birds through Solitary Sandpipers at Chinc. 13 Nov Craney 12 Aug (RB, SD, AM, BT, BW) ; lower Northampton each fall with one-day (R&CY) were 29 days beyond the nine there 21 Aug (RB , et al.); one at counts of >1500 birds (e.g. 30 Sep 2008). species’ 15 Oct average late date . The Chinc. 7 (NB) thru 16 Sep (JE) ; and one The peak count reported this season was largest reported Willet total was 590 (410 at Craney also 16 Sep (BW, BT, RB) . only 381 , that from the KHW 21 Sep at Machipongo/180 at Willis Wharf both Red-necked Phalarope observations, (ZP) . A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was Northampton ) 11 Oct (HA, LD, HW) . Sin - all from Craney, had one there 12 Aug at Mariner’s Museum Park, Newport gle Upland Sandpipers were detected at (AM, RB, SD, BT, BW) , four on 21 Aug News 13 Sep (NF) ; and one was at Craney 19 (BW, RB, SD, AM, BT) & 21 (RB , et al.) and singles 9 Sep (RB, SD, Weyanoke Sanctuary, Norfolk 17 Sep Aug (FD, et al ); at Latimer Siding, AM, BW) & 16 Sep (BW, RB, BT). There (NF, EE) . A high-volume, high-diversity Northampton 22 Aug (CB) ; and at Yaros were 389 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at passerine movement 8 Oct yielded 48 Sod Farm, Arlington Road, Northampton Back Bay (220) /False Cape (169) 24 Sep Eastern Phoebes at Sunset Beach (NB) . 29 Aug (NB) . A LONG-BILLED (DH, SDa ). A Kiptopeke Challenge team An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCH- CURLEW was near Wachapreague, Ac - twitched ~250 Sandwich Terns at the ER  made a brief appearance at KSP comack 15 Oct (LS) . One Hudsonian ESVNWR Ramp Road 25 Sep (BAk, AB, 18 Nov (CB, ZP) . A Great Crested Fly - Godwit was at Chinc. 23 (NB, ph . GK ) DC) . Individual WHITE-WINGED catcher at KSP 8 Oct (ZP fide HA) was thru 27 Sep (SB, LM) ; 2 -7 were there 16 DOVES  were noted at Temper - 13 days past the species’ 25 Sep average Oct thru 20 Nov (JE, GK, AL, E&NL) . anceville, Accomack 6 Nov (SB , et al.) and late date. There was a fly-by Western A color-banded AHY female Semi - at KSP 23 Nov (ZP, BC) . An imm. Kingbird at KSP 29 Oct (JR, SE ). One palmated Sandpiper found at Craney Black-billed Cuckoo was near KSP 10 of the season’s more exceptional finds, a 12 Aug (AM, RB, SD, BT, ph. BW) had Sep (NB). Quite unexpected were a Barn Loggerhead Shrike discovered 21 Nov been processed on the Canning River Owl at KSP 29 Sep (CB) and a Short- (DC) in the Ashville Park subdivision, Delta, Arctic NWR, North Slope Bor - eared Owl near Lambert’s Point Golf Virginia Beach , remained thru 27 Nov ough, Alaska (70 05’ 27” N 145 49’ 36” Course, Norfolk 23 Sep (NF) . The CCB’s (JB, NF, BK, ph. K&TK, DM ). This th W) 13 Jun 2010. There were two Baird’s 17 annual Northern Saw-whet Owl species had not been reported in Virginia Sandpiper reports; three at Chinc. 16 monitoring project, begun 28 Oct , had Beach since March 1978. Even more ex - Sep (JE) and one at Back Bay 18 Sep (ph. banded 77 new birds by 30 Nov ( fide FS). traordinary was a BELL’S VIREO  AD, TT) . A proportionately small-bod - Also captured were two previously banded at ESVNWR 19 Sep (NBa, ph. ied, small-billed , dull alternate plumaged banded this season , one from Vermont TJ, CP )providing the state’s first Category Dunlin at Chinc. 13-14 Nov (ph. R&CY) and one from Assateague Island MD . 1 record (record accompanied by a pho - was assessed to be possibly of the Green - tograph) for this species, if accepted by land subspecies Calidris alpina arctica , a NIGHTHAWK—FINCHES VARCOM. There was a sight record of rare Atlantic coast vagrant. Dunlin that Single Common Nighthawks passed one in Chesterfield 12 Aug 1962 . A migrate through and winter in the East KHW 26 Sep (HA), 1 Oct (ZP) and 7 singing Warbling Vireo was at Newport are typically C. a. hudsonia . The bird was Oct (HA) . Two Chuck-will’s-widows News Park, Newport News 6 Sep (NF) . carefully documented and a report was were at Cape Charles 28 Sep (NB) . Tardy Weyanoke Sanctuary, Norfolk attracted 2 sent in for VARCOM Review. Birders Chimney Swifts included one over ES - Philadelphia Vireos 13 Sep (AB); 2 found no Buff-breasted Sandpipers in VNWR 7 Nov (SB, AD, PG, TT) and one were at Chinc . 16 Sep (JE) ; singles were at the Region during fall 2009. Therefore , at the KHW 13 Nov (HA), the latter one Northside Park, Norfolk 5 Oct (AB) and two off Arlington Road, Northampton 29 day beyond the previous 12 Nov extreme at Sunset Beach 8 Oct (NB) ; three were Aug (NB) were a welcomed encounter. date. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird Subsequently , there were three at Craney frequented a feeder near Lake Smith, Vir - Continued on back cover 18 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 19

banded at KSP; six were banded at ES - Sep (CB fide HA); one was at Little Bay Baltimore Orioles at Sunset Beach 8 VNWR between 9 Sep and 8 Oct ( fide Avenue/Captain’s Quarters Park, Nor - Oct (NB) were eight days past the FS) . The last reported Northern folk 29 Oct (AB) ; one to two were at species’ normal 30 Sep late date. Small Rough-winged Swallow was one at the Chinc. 29 (JE) & 30 Oct (GK) . Lark numbers of Purple Finches were pres - KSP Taylor Pond 3 Nov (BT) . The ap - Sparrow reports included one at Craney ent in the Region by early November. A pearance of CAVE SWALLOWS  in 29 Aug (ph. AB); one at Magotha Road, Common Redpoll was reported at the Region has become almost expected Northampton 7 Sep (NF fide EE) ; one at Chinc. 24 Nov (JE) . Flyover Pine with detections each fall since 1999 (ex - Chinc. 9 Sep (RBr fide MB); one at Sunset Siskins at KSP 11 & 12 Oct (CB, BW ) cept 2003 & 2006) . This year did not dis - Beach 10 Sep (ph. ABo, NB) ; and one at were the precursor of a sustained move - appoint with two at Chinc. 29 Oct (JE); Chinc. 29 Oct (JE) . A Savannah Spar - ment that continued through the end of one at ESVNWR 7 Nov (SB, AD, PG, row at Craney 19 Aug (BT, AM) was well the report period. TT); one at Chinc. 8 Nov (SB , et al.); 10 ahead of the species’ usual 15 Sep arrival. at Craney 18 Nov (BT, SD, AM, BW); six Through 30 Nov the CCB had banded 12 Contributors: Bill Akers, Bob Ake at Chinc. 24 & 26 Nov (JE) ; and one at Ipswich Savannah Sparrows Passerculus (BAk), Harry Armistead, Rose Ann Ar - Craney 29 Nov (SD, AM, BT, BW) . After sandwichensis princeps as part of an investi - naud, Andrew Baldelli, Nathan Banfield confounding predictability in 2009 , Red- gation to determine that subspecies’ re - (NBa) , Mary Reid Barrow, Scott Barnes , breasted Nuthatches staged an impres - gional population density, the Jane Beavers, Ruth Beck, Meredith Bell, sive, widespread invasion that included population’s age and sex structure, and Arun Bose (ABo), Calvin Brennan, Ned 39 at Sunset Beach 8 Oct (NB) . A singing individual site fidelity (FS) . A LeConte’s Brinkley, Rexanne Bruno (RBr), Allen Sedge Wren was at Back Bay 31 Aug Sparrow was at Little Bay Avenue/Cap - Bryan (ABr), Mitchell Byrd, Lou Car - (NF). Exceptionally high tides concen - tain’s Quarters Park, Norfolk 29 Oct (ph. penter, Bob Chapman, David Clark, Joe th trated 35-40 Marsh Wrens in a lower AB) . The CCB’s 5 annual coastal Coleman, Lynn Davidson, Sarah Davis Northampton marsh 2 Oct (FS, CP, NBa, marshes winter birds study processed 55 (SDa), Fenton Day, Shirley Devan, TJ, ZP). A Golden-crowned Kinglet at Nelson’s Sparrows , 49 Saltmarsh Adam D’Onofrio, Shannon Ehlers, Jen - 88 th Street, Virginia Beach 2 Oct (NF) Sparrows , and 12 Seaside Sparrows nifer Elmer, Elisa Enders , Nick Flan - tweaked the margins of the species’ 5 through 30 Nov (FS). Individual Lin - ders, Jan Frye, Paul Glass, Adam Oct average arrival . One can only imag - coln’s Sparrows were banded at KSP 8 Gmyrek, Alice Hecht, Patrick Hegge, ine the frenetic activity associated with Oct & 18 Nov (CB) and at ESVNWR 22 Chris Hernandez, Barbara Houston, 212 Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Sunset & 29 Oct ( fide FS) ; singles were at Sunset Renee Hudgins, David Hughes, Todd Beach 8 Oct (NB) . Members of the Beach 8 & 29 Oct (NB) and five were at Jones, Karen & Tom Kearney, Bill Fredericksburg Birding Club found a Chinc. 29 Oct (JE) . Snow Bunting re - Keith, Roberta Kellam, Mary Alice NORTHERN WHEATEAR  at the ports included 12 at Chinc. 29 Oct (JE) ; Koeneke, Glenn Koppel , Allen Larner, Chincoteague, Accomack causeway 2 Oct 2 at Queen Sound Causeway, Chin - Ed & Nancy Lawler, Jeff Lemons, (vt., ph. PN), the Region’s fifth and the coteague, Accomack 6 Nov (SB, et al.) ; one Diane Lepkowski, Linda Mack, Frank most recent since one was at KSP 15 Oct in Cape Charles 6 Nov (NB) ; and 19 at Marenghi, Will Martin, David Matson, 1995. A late Veery and 3 Gray-cheeked Craney 29 Nov (SD, AM, BT, BW) . A Brian McDonough, Alex Minarik, Paul Thrushes were in Willoughby, Norfolk Blue Grosbeak along the Noland Trail, Nasca, Caroline Poli, Zak Poulton, 29 Oct (AB). Single Bicknell’s Newport New 25 Nov (NF) extended Marv Rubin, Jethro Runco, Lauren Thrushes were banded at KSP 3, 4, 9, & the species’ previous extreme date by two Schneider, Debbie Schroeder, John 12 Oct (CB) ; three were banded at ES - days. The peak Indigo Bunting count Shaw, Fletcher Smith, Giselle Spahr, VNWR between 6 and 23 Oct ( fide FS). A was 44 at Sunset Beach 8 Oct (NB) . One Brian Taber, Brenda Tekin (BTk), Steve late Blackpoll Warbler was banded at was noted at that site 6 Nov (AD, PG, Thornhill, Patrick Toomey, Tina Trice, KSP 12 Nov (CB) . Sixteen Connecticut TT) , three days shy of the species’ 9 Nov Jerry Via, Hal Wierenga, Bill Williams, Warblers were documented including extreme late date. A male Painted Rob & Chrystal Young. one at Sunset Beach 8 Oct (NB), four Bunting was at the Rouse Drive, Virginia banded at KSP between 27 Sep and 4 Beach feeder from mid-Oct through 30 Oct (CB), and 11 banded at ESVNWR Nov (RA fide EE, MRB ). The season’s between 14 Sep and 23 Oct ( fide FS). Sin - only Dickcissel report was one at Chinc. gle Morning Warblers were banded at 29 Oct (JE) . Yellow-headed Blackbird KSP 5, 9, 11, & 13 Sep respectively (CB) reports included an imm. male at Craney and at ESVNWR 9 Sep ( fide FS). Two 21 Aug (AB) , an imm. female at Craney Wilson’s Warblers were at Weyanoke 16 Sep (BT, RB, BW), and an imm. fe - Sanctuary, Norfolk 14 Sep (NF) . A Clay- male at Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia Beach colored Sparrow was banded at KSP 26 26 (ph. KK) thru 29 Sep (NF, JS) . Five

Fall Reporting Period August 2010–November 2010 19 Virginia Birds Fall 2010:Virginia Birds 8/7/2011 11:28 AM Page 20

THE VIRGINIA SOCIETY OF ORNITHOLOGY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1230 Viewmont Drive, Evington, VA 24550-2006 US Postage Paid Lynchburg, VA Permit No. 161

20 VIRGINIA BIRDS VOLUME 7 • NUMBER 2