February 2021
/Though the winter weather from January persisted through much of February, we received a bit of a warmup at the very end of the month, which led to our first blossoming Daffodils of the season, though not for the Bradford Pears or Redbuds like February 2020 somehow managed. Weatherwise, February proved to be a cooler than average month (50°F/36°F for daily highs/lows), when looking at the prior ten-year average temperatures (54°F/36°F). In fact, we were 8° cooler than February 2020 in terms of the average daily high temperature, which might help to explain last year’s early bloom. Throughout the month, we ranged from a low of 30°F on 21 & 22 Feb to a high of 70°F on 24 Feb (our warmest day since the 71°F mark logged on 24 Dec). This month, we also saw the very first of our northbound migrants this month, which means the winter season is officially reaching its end. As always, February was a short month, but over the course of its twenty-eight days, a total of 173 species produced accepted records in eBird! While this proved to be an expected decline from the 185 species we logged during January, it still reigned supreme when looking at other recent February tallies, even during the most recent Leap Year which provided an extra day of opportunity. This mark of 173 species bested the 165 species logged in 2020, as well as the 168, 155, 171 & 161 species logged in 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2016, respectively. With two months under our belt for the year, Virginia Beach now sits at 190 species with accepted records in eBird, which has us five ahead of the 185 species logged through this same time in 2020, while we were en route to a record-setting calendar year total of 312 species. Additionally, with 1,270 complete checklists submitted this month, we now have 2,938 submitted for the year, which puts us far ahead of the pace required to top the high mark of 10,061 complete checklists submitted in 2019 after we were unable to do so last year.
Highlights for February included: Ross's Goose, Brant, Blue-winged Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Merganser, Western Grebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Gallinule, Long-billed Dowitcher, Dovekie, Laughing Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Herring x Glaucous Gull, Royal Tern, Pacific Loon, Great Cormorant, Tricolored Heron, Cattle Egret, Snow Bunting, Clay-colored Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Bullock's Oriole, Rusty Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler & Painted Bunting. Please note that a listing of which species qualify for the highlights section can be found here. Though we’re still a ways off from the bulk of spring migration, February does start us off in that regard with the first spring arrivals, including: Laughing Gull, Osprey & Blue-winged Teal. A full list of regularly-occurring species and their expected spring arrival dates can be found here.
Starting things off this month with the same species that the January Journal began with, we had quite a number of reports for a single ROSS’S GOOSE throughout February here in Virginia Beach. Initially found among a small flock of Canada Geese on Lake Windsor during the morning hours of 19 Jan (ph. Lisa Rose), this individual persisted through at least 26 Feb (ph. Steve Keith) at the lake, and at nearby Mt. Trashmore Park where it was frequently observed on the grassy hillside as well as on Lake Trashmore. This month, there were no other known Ross’s Geese in Virginia Beach, so this one received a great deal of attention in February from both local and visiting birders alike. As mentioned last month, this bird’s claim to fame has really been how approachable it is, with a lot of amazing photographs being taken without even disturbing it. Normally, when Ross’s Geese show up in Virginia Beach, they’re in private farm fields among massive goose flocks where views are quite poor, normally requiring a scope, and photography is severely limited, mostly to digiscoping. While the species sometimes lingers along the coast into March, it is one of the earliest of the geese to start heading out of the region, so hopefully folks don’t take all the reports of this individual for granted, and are able to get out and see it before it vanishes. There have not been a whole lot of reports in the state this cycle for Ross’s Goose, and during February only Tazewell, Montgomery, Rockingham, Loudon & Accomack held other records in Virginia. North Carolina had only three records, all of individuals and farther to the northeast of us, records extended only to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with one outlier in Ontario. Clearly, Ross’s Goose is a good find anywhere along the East Coast, even though it has some level of expectation in areas where large flocks of Snow Geese occur. The Lake Windsor individual has been quite kind to birders, mixing in with Canada Geese, and making itself quite apparent, even from great distance as a result! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
While it is an expected species of waterfowl in coastal Virginia from October through April, BRANT are typically found along the immediate coastline and in brackish estuaries. During February though, a flock of 25 was reportedly seen on inland, freshwater Lake Witchduck on 6 Feb (vis. Dave Jacques), with eleven again seen on 15 Feb by the same observer. Over the past few winters, this species has occasionally popped up on Oliver’s Pond, not too far north of this area, and we’ve also had encounters with Brant on inland farm fields foraging among large flocks of Canada Geese. But, this species really “shouldn’t” be seen in such locations here when there is plenty of appropriate saltmarsh habitat along the Lynnhaven River for it to reside during the winter months. Interestingly, these freshwater reports were the only known occurrences for Brant within Virginia Beach during February, and Pleasure House Point NA, our typically reliable location to view this species, yielded none. Nearby in Norfolk, East Beach, which is just west of the Virginia Beach border that cuts through Little Creek Inlet, held groups though. At this location, Brant are often seen on the low tide mudflats and foraging for the no-longer-underwater vegetation that lines the artificial rock groins that protect this community’s beaches from heavier erosion. Here in southeast Virginia, we’re very close to the southernmost extent of this species normal wintering range, and the only Brant records during February that were south of Virginia occurred around Ocracoke Island in Dare, North Carolina, where there is an abundance of brackish habitat along the shorelines of Pamlico Sound. It’ll be curious to see what March provides in terms of local reports for this species, given February was a bit backwards compared to their usual distribution in Virginia Beach. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Known locally for its unique distribution as an expected spring & fall transient, but not an expected winterer or breeder, we were again fortunate to see some records for BLUE-WINGED TEAL in Virginia Beach during February. In most years, this species is absent from the city during Dec-Feb, but this particular winter season has provided a small flock for surveyors of the closed-to-the-public impoundments at Back Bay NWR. This month, that flock continued, with at least 17 present during the mid-month refuge survey on 16 Feb (ph. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Additionally, for the first time since this fall, nearby False Cape SP also produced a record when a small flock of seven was observed on 19 Feb (ph. Marlee Morris), which could either represent newly arrived northbound migrants, or could potentially be some of the individuals reported from Back Bay NWR simply moving around a bit on available waterways. Nearing month’s end, the species starts to become a bit more expected, as the average spring arrival date for northbound transients is 5 Mar. Still, it was quite exciting when a a drake & hen pair were found on an impoundment among a flock of Green-winged Teal at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract early in the morning of 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels), and were seen again later that afternoon (ph. Tracy Tate) to close out the month. Given that these are the first individuals on the western side of Back Bay this since a small flock of four was observed at nearby Beasley Tract on 27 Dec (vis. Andrew Baldelli), it feels more likely that are true spring arrivals than possible wintering individuals, as coverage of the area is quite good and no other reports occurred between during these two months of time. This WMA is only open on Sundays for birding, until April that is, but it at least has some accessibility to the public, whereas the impoundments on the east side of Back Bay will remain closed until April, when either the East or West Dike at Back Bay NWR will be opened for the season. Definitely the least predictable species of regularly-occurring waterfowl, Blue-winged Teal also held records around Richmond, Fairfax, and at Chincoteague during February, though most were also in the vein of likely spring arrivals, some did manage to winter at Dutch Gap in Chesterfield this season. In viewing the eBird maps for February, these early migrants (like two in Barnstable, Massachusetts) tend to obscure the areas where true wintering occurred, but it appears from a glance that some individuals this season did winter as far up the East Coast as New Jersey this season. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Rarest among the duck species observed in Virginia Beach this month, though still with some level of expectance here nowadays, a drake EURASIAN WIGEON found on Oliver’s Pond back on 21 Jan (ph. Rob Bielawski) continued to be reported through at least 27 Feb. Still our only individual of this species known to have occurred in the city this cycle, we’re pretty much on par with past winter seasons that have also average about one individual here. This species’ range has expanded quite a bit over the last few decades, but we certainly also have benefited from a boost in coverage locally, with most accessible lakes and ponds being scoured here during the winter season for unusual waterfowl. That effort has certainly paid off, though we haven’t managed to find another Tufted Duck since 2019, there is always the potential for something unusual to be ferreted out. Freshwater bodies of water in the northern half of the city have been the most reliable locations to find Eurasian Wigeon, though anywhere flocks of dabbling ducks are present (Back Bay NWR, Princess Anne WMA, etc.) could yield additional individuals of this species. That said, hopefully birders continue to keep tabs on the Oliver’s Pond individual, which is typically quite a distant view from the public Haygood Point Park located on the north side of the pond. It will be interesting to see just how late into the spring observations continue for this drake, and knowledge of those departure dates is always valuable with continuing birds. Elsewhere in the state this month, one also continued at Dutch Gap in Chesterfield, while Craney had one and Hoffler Creek boasted two in Portsmouth, and lastly, two were reported at Chincoteague in Accomack. Farther to the south, Dare, North Carolina had a couple of reports, though none well-documented, but Georgetown, South Carolina had the most extreme southern outlier this month with a drake photographed among a dabbler flock on restricted-access property. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Very scarce this winter season in coastal Virginia, we finally had our first twitchable COMMON MERGANSER of the 2021 calendar year, when a female was discovered on the south pond of Sherwood Lakes on 18 Feb (ph. Karen & Tom Beatty)! Though this hen lingered here through at least 25 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli), it was reported very sporadically during its week-long stay, likely moving back onto the freshwater, former sand pit, lake on private property to the south whenever an eagle or anything else may have spooked the waterfowl on the south pond. In past winter seasons, especially in January and February, Sherwood Lakes has typically been the most reliable location in Virginia Beach to observe this species. Given Common Merganser’s preferred habitat is either clear, fast flowing streams, or deeper, clear freshwater lakes, this severely limits the available locations likely to host the species in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore. We’ve been fortunate here that there are many former sand pits that have the depth, and the clarity of water that the species can tolerate, so it has come a bit as a surprise this season that none had been around into the new year, though a hen was also present briefly on 19 Dec (vis. Brandon Holland), before likely the same bird was viewed at the Haviland Drive pond in the ensuing days. Given the two month separation, it feels likely that this February individual is a new bird, but it is in the realm of possibility that all these records could pertain to the same female, but certainly there isn’t any way to prove it, so best to treat them separately. While there were several undocumented reports in coastal North Carolina, the nearest records otherwise in the coastal plain were in the extreme northwestern portions of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. All metropolitan Richmond records occurred in the piedmont this month, so this hen at Sherwood Lakes was quite an outlier! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
The remarkable WESTERN GREBE that appears to be visiting our coastline for a fifth straight winter season continued this month with a single record near the Little Island Park pier on 7 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). As mentioned in last month’s Journal, this individual was first detected this season off False Cape SP on 20 Dec (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), and there is a strong likelihood that this is the same returning individual that first showed up off Little Island Park during the Back Bay CBC on 29 Dec 2016 (vis. Edward Brinkley & Paul Sykes), and in each of the successive winter season (see the December Journal for more information on records in those cycles). Curiously, while our only report was on 7 Feb, as mentioned above, the Outer Banks of North Carolina had a record for this species off Nags Head on 6 Feb (vis. Elizabeth Farnum & Ken Karwowski), then at Cape Point from 9-11 Feb (vis. Daniel Irons), followed by a string of reports 20-25 Feb (vis. Jesse Anderson) just slightly to the west near Frisco. Given that there was no other coastal records between Nova Scotia and Texas during February, one wonders if all of these records pertain to the same individual. Last month, there had been a sighting near Corolla, which felt as though it could easily be the same individual roving between Little Island Park, Back Bay NWR, and False Cape SP, given Corolla is only a few miles south along the coast from the Virginia border. Now, with no further reports of the individual in Virginia coastal waters, and with the slough of records near Hatteras, it really makes for an interesting case. Aside from the Nova Scotia, North Carolina & Virginia records, the only other Western Grebes reported east of the Mississippi River during February were continuing individuals in Porter, Indiana, and Baltimore, Maryland, and a new individual along the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Quebec. With possibly only a total of six individuals in the East this month, we were clearly fortunate to see a record within our borders, even if, in recent year, birders have come to expect the species to be present along our coastline after we’ve been spoiled with one these past few winters. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Rare this far north through the winter season, only one confirmed RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was logged to eBird in Virginia Beach during February, with a continuing adult male visiting the feeders at a private residence in Laurel Cove on 16 & 20 Feb (ph. Loretta Silvia). This male is likely to be the same individual that first arrived at this location way back on 2 Dec (ph. Loretta Silvia), but there’s always a chance that more than one has been visiting this area. In January, this residence had reports for two different individuals, with a female also photographed in addition to the adult male. With the only other residence in the city, in Cypress Point, last month to host a Ruby-throated Hummingbird not producing any reports into February, and the last occurring 19 Jan (vis. Debbie Schroeder), it seems if we are to see one make it through all the way to springtime, this Laurel Cove adult male is the best bet. Unless of course one that has been around, and simply not reported to eBird does suddenly find its way into the system. With northbound Ruby-throated Hummingbirds typically arriving back into the area around 10 Apr (a few individual can certainly beat this date in any given year), there’s still a full month left before declaring this individual a true winterer, though it has likely made it through the harshest weather it will face before then, pending some unforeseen and disastrous turn in March that is! During February, there were only four other records for Ruby-throated Hummingbird noted elsewhere in Virginia, with one each in Chesapeake, Norfolk, York & Northampton. Coastal Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey each had at least one individual present in February, but there were none known to occur anywhere in Eastern North America north of the extreme southern tip of Cape May this month. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Very secretive, and quite rare during the winter season anywhere in Virginia and farther to the north, a COMMON GALLINULE found at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 14 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski) made for quite a surprise this month. The only record for the species in the entire state of Virginia this month, this was also a new species for all Februarys in eBird for Virginia Beach, and only the second for the state during any February, with the only other report hailing from King and Queen back on 3 Feb 2019 (vis. Frederick Atwood). As always, it’s quite possible that other records exist, but have simply not been input to eBird, but this appears to be the first such photographic record for the species. Potentially the same individual noted again two Sundays later on 28 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate), it seems likely given the abundance of habitat this season, that this individual will continue moving forward into spring. In recent years, this wildlife management area has become a somewhat reliable location to see this species, though records tend to pop up in April, when Common Gallinules are in motion and getting ready for the breeding season. At that time, their vibrant breeding plumage makes them a bit more visible, though they are still exceptionally cryptic, hiding among dense marsh grasses throughout the daytime, and very rarely moving out into open view. There is always the possibility that a few have also wintered on the eastern side of Back Bay, around the impoundments at Back Bay NWR and False Cape SP, but the most recent record from either of those locations was of one near the publicly accessible West Dike gate on 17 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), with no other observations since. With the impoundments closed to the public from 1 Nov-31 Mar, coverage is substantially less this time of year, though the refuge performs thrice-monthly surveys of the impoundments, but those have not turned up any Common Gallinules this winter season. During February, there was only a total of five records for this species north of Virginia, with singles Maryland, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and one extreme outlier on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula that was last reported on 1 Feb after being present at the same location since mid-October. That individual was possibly the same individual reported for months a few miles away, that mysteriously vanished just prior to the arrival at the new location, truly fascinating for such a wayward individual! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
During one of the aforementioned, thrice-monthly impoundment surveys at Back Bay NWR this month, a continuing group of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS was once again noted! A rare shorebird species this far north along the East Coast during the winter season, and scarce in general even during peak migration movements here and throughout the rest of Virginia, it was exciting to see a record for a dozen of them mixed with a group of six other Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitchers, on 5 Feb (vis. Robert Ake & Lauren Mowbray). This group was originally picked up during the Back Bay Christmas Bird Count on 29 Dec, when six Long-billed Dowitcher were reported (vis. David Clark & Chris Farabaugh), with possibly the same six continuing on 15 Jan (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Given that they’ve been observed at least once in each of the winter’s months, it’s possible that records continue into the spring, and it would be wonderful if that proves to be true, as this species is quite striking when it molts into its breeding plumage. The transition into this plumage may also aid in identification of some of the “slash” individuals, as Short-billed and Long-billed Dowitchers are separable with less difficulty (not with more ease, per se, as it is still quite difficult) when that switch occurs. During February, this was the only known group of Long-billed Dowitchers to be reported to eBird for the state of Virginia, though Maryland held a record, and Delaware & New Jersey each had a couple. But, there were no other records along the East Coast north of those occurrences this month. During March, observations of this group will be dependent on the volunteer surveyors as this portion of the refuge does not open to the general public until 1 Apr, and depending on where exactly they’re occurring in the impoundments and which dike opens up first, they may still not be visible without special access. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Perhaps the species that will be remembered by the widest array of birders in Virginia Beach this winter season, DOVEKIE managed to produce a few more records during the first third of February, after the surge of reports we experienced in mid-to-late January likely made headlines across the state and became a new life bird for a great many birders who ventured down to the coast. Though a single individual was first record this season off 88th Street Beach on 2 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli), the excitement for most observers began with a report of five Dovekies close to shore at Back Bay NWR on 15 Jan (ph. Steve Myers), and the following day, the madness truly set in at nearby Little Island Park with many more individuals sighted, and several actively foraging within a few feet of the pier (ph. Rob Bielawski), at times even being visible swimming underwater, that’s how close they were! During February, reports continued at Little Island Park through 10 Feb, when two were reported (vis. David Clark, ph. Steve Keith), and at least one continued at Rudee Inlet through 8 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate). However, after that point in the month, Dovekie reports came to a screeching halt in Virginia Beach, and in Virginia overall, with none others known through the end of the month. While there were very few records for Dovekie between Virginia Beach and Cape Cod, Massachusetts during February, this winter season’s movement as a whole proved to be the largest we’ve ever seen in the eBird era along the East Coast. The sheer density of reports along coastal areas all the way to South Carolina is utterly remarkable given that the species is quite rare from shore in most winters once you’re south and west of Massachusetts. Typically, it requires offshore boat trips for most of the Mid-Atlantic States to pick up large volumes of records for this species, but, not this season. Whether this season will become the new normal for Dovekie, or it will always be viewed as a severe outlier remains to be seen, but as of now, we’ve had no comparable seasons for this species from shore in Virginia, which made it truly memorable for those who were able to take part in it. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
In most winter seasons here in Virginia Beach, LAUGHING GULL tends to be completely absent after about 10 Jan to around 20 Feb, but this season proved to be very different than the norm. With a great many lingering throughout January along the immediate coastline, including a staggering flock of 73 on the beach at False Cape SP as late as 22 Jan (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris), we didn’t see the typical gap in records that we’ve become accustomed to in recent winter seasons. However, in early & mid-February, the species was still much scarcer than it had been in January, with notable records of one at Rudee Inlet on 5 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney), two at Little Island Park on 6 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and then a single on restricted-access JEB Fort Story on 7 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli, Karl Suttmann & Cassidy Titus). After that point, we had a very limited, eight-day window where none were reported, with the first likely “spring arrival” report occurring at Rudee Inlet on 15 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate) and another the following day slightly farther to the north (vis. Irvin Pitts). Were someone to look only at date from this season, it would be easy to think that Laughing Gull are a regular winterer here along our patch of coastline, but in looking at prior years, the species was absent between 12 Jan & 7 Feb in 2020, between 7 Jan & 15 Feb in 2019, and between 5 Jan & 24 Feb in 2018, so certainly, there is typically a window where they have moved south of our latitude. Of course, by the end of February, reports were popping up all over the city as the species expectedly streamed back northward, though there were no mentions of adult in full breeding plumage yet through month’s end. Moving forward, Laughing Gull will be expected again for the next ten or so months, but when January rolls around, it is worth keeping a keen eye out for, since it is likely that this season was an extreme outlier that we have probably taken for granted. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
One of our first rarities during February, we excitedly logged our very first record for ICELAND GULL this winter season, when a first cycle immature was found at JEB Fort Story (restricted access) on 1 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Steve Keith)! Additionally, another, or possibly the same individual, was reported from Rudee Inlet on 15 Feb (vis. Cathy Williamson), and then photographed there later in the week on 19 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney). Over the past few winter seasons, we had pretty good fortunes with Iceland Gulls, with the striking white immatures, and even a few adults being found in Virginia Beach. So it was a bit surprising when we’d reached the end of January and still had no records here this cycle, but fortunately February put us on the board. Elsewhere in the state this month, Prince William had the only other records, with one immature at Neabsco Creek on 7 Feb (vis. Linda Chittum & Ada Jones) and an adult & immature present at the nearby county landfill on 15 Feb (ph. Linda Chittum & Ada Jones). So it seems we had at least three different individuals (maybe as many as five) known to be present in the state this month, which puts into perspective how fortunate we were to have even one (or maybe two). A few Iceland Gulls made it all the way to Florida during February, but otherwise, the most southerly East Coast records were one in northern Georgia and at least two in Dare, North Carolina. A dense distribution of records for this species really doesn’t occur until you get up to about New Jersey/New York, so records south of there would be considered exceptional in any winter season, though there is some level of expectation for a few to be found. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Our other rare, but still somewhat expected species of “white-winged gull”, GLAUCOUS GULL produced a couple of reports here during February as well. One immature had been spotted during a snowfall event at Rudee Inlet to close out last month, on 28 Jan (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), with likely this same individual being the one reported here a few days later on 4 Feb (vis. David Clark). During another high-wind morning, one was reported flying past the Little Island Park pier, on 6 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and could potentially be this same individual given these locations are just a few straight-line miles apart along the beach. In looking at recent winters, Glaucous Gull has been slightly rarer than Iceland Gull in Virginia Beach, though an immature that spend a couple of months along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel last winter provided a high number of reports to birders transiting between Virginia Beach & Northampton. During February, the only other Glaucous Gull (also an immature) to be reported in the state occurred at Cape Charles Harbor on 21 Feb (vis. Robert Ake, Ty Smith & Evan Spears). Outside Virginia, it was a bit surprising that neither Delaware or Maryland had any known individuals reported this month, though coastal North Carolina had several reports, and a few reports even occurred on the Gulf Coast of Florida. But, like Iceland Gull, one had to travel quite a bit farther to the north before winter records started to show a stronger pattern of occurrence, with New York and states east/north clearly showing a higher level of expectation for this species than in states farther south. With only a few records in states south of Virginia, it is clear why this species is highly sought after within our state, and Virginia Beach is certainly one of the most likely places for it to be found. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Throwing a bit of a wrench into the identification of Glaucous Gull locally, there was also a record for a hybrid HERRING X GLAUCOUS GULL in Virginia Beach this month. Known to birders as a “Nelson’s Gull” this hybrid pairing can be difficult to pick out, but fortunately, photographs taken this month did a good job of showcasing the main ID marks. First noted at Rudee Inlet on 5 Feb (ph. Tommy Maloney), and then observed again on 20 Feb (ph. Baxter Beamer), one can note how the tips of the primary flight feathers are dark rather than light, as a pure Glaucous Gull will show. Other features, like the strongly demarcated, bi-colored bill, pink legs, and overall white plumage are a match with what one would expect on an immature Glaucous Gull, so to secure the ID, the primary tips are the main giveaway. Glaucous Gulls are quite rare in Virginia Beach, so clearly, a hybrid pairing of a Glaucous Gull is very rare here. During February, this was the only known individual of this pairing to occur in Virginia, and one of only about a dozen reported to eBird in Eastern North America overall. For the winter season, most records of this hybrid were around eastern Great Lakes in Ontario, with fewer scattered along the East Coast. With only four prior records for this hybrid in Virginia Beach, this is the first to be known since one was around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in 2016, with others occurring in 2014, 2012 & 1996 as far as eBird submissions go. So, while hybrids will not add a species to one’s life list, this is certainly a rare bird, and one that should be carefully studied if encountered. Knowing that this hybrid is out there, any reports for Glaucous Gull will be reviewed with a higher level of scrutiny moving forward, so be sure to get a good look at the primary tips whether your bird is standing on land, sitting on the water, or zooming past you in the air. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
A significant outlier during February, Virginia Beach boasted the most northerly known occurrence for ROYAL TERN for the month, when one was photographed roosting on the beach north of the Little Island Park pier on 6 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Cindy Hamilton). During February, records expectedly occurred from Dare, North Carolina and southward, but for individuals to be found at Virginia’s latitude so deep into the winter season, it is quite remarkable. In looking at the photograph provided though, it seems this individual may have something wrong with one of its wings, which might help to explain why it was present here and had not yet moved farther to the south. For the winter season overall, records did extend up to the southwestern corner of Long Island, New York, but by January, the most northerly records were limited to Virginia Beach. We tend to see this species through the end of December, where it is picked up on the Little Creek CBC in some/most years, but when January hits, records are typically absent until the species begins to move back north through the area around mid-March. During January, we had records for individuals that occurred at Rudee Inlet on 5 Jan (ph. Baxter Beamer & Martina Nordstrand), 55th Street Beach on 6 Jan (ph. June McDaniels), and then what could potentially have been our February individual at Little Island Park on 18 Jan (vis. James Fox & Gabriel Ricketts). So, this was an exceptional mid-to-late winter season for the species to occur this far north, though, there is some potential for all these records to refer to the same individual, it is also possible we had a couple different lingerers in January at least. With the weather beginning to warm up by month’s end though, it will not be too long before healthy individuals of this species begin to pour northward, and within the next couple of weeks we are likely to start seeing reports along Virginia Beach’s coastline! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Potentially the same individual first reported from Little Island Park during the afternoon hours of 16 Jan (ph. Nick Newberry), we saw several reports for a PACIFIC LOON this month after a several week-long hiatus. First spotted from the pier on 10 Feb (vis. Andrew Baldelli, David Clark, Steve Keith & Reuben Rohn), this individual continue to be seen through 15 Feb (vis. Chris Farabaugh). A very rare winter visitor along the East Coast, it is quite exceptional that two months in a row we have been fortunate enough to boast reports for this species in Virginia Beach. A species that is not annually reported in Virginia Beach, Pacific Loon tends to garner statewide interest, and thanks in part to the explosion of Dovekie records at Little Island Park over the prior month, there was lots of eyes searching this patch of coastline. Interestingly, this species was missed altogether in 2019 and in 2020 in the state, with the last prior record also hailing from Virginia Beach, with one present on the north pond of Sherwood Lakes from 30 Oct-28 Nov 2018 (ph. Andrew Baldelli & Tracy Tate). During February, there was only five other locations east of the Mississippi River to yield records for Pacific Loon, with individuals present in Mississippi & Tennessee, and counts of two elsewhere in Tennessee, and in North Carolina & Massachusetts, making for at least nine total individuals known in the East. With one other individual during January in Poquoson, Virginia has undoubtedly had a successful start to the calendar year with regards to this species. With continued effort put forth by vigilant eyes along the coast, it’s quite possible that we could see reports into March as well, and while there are likely to be many thousands of Red-throated & Common Loon in motion soon, they’re certainly all worth scrutinizing for this rarity. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Very local to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and associated islands, GREAT CORMORANT tends to be a very difficult species to observed from mainland Virginia Beach even during the winter season when it is certainly present here. This month, we had just a single sight report of one individual from 85th Street Beach on 8 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate). Noted as an adult, this time of year the species is entering its breeding plumage, which makes Great Cormorant a bit easier to pick out among the hordes of the significantly more abundant Double-crested Cormorants that flock to our coastline. Last month, a few were reported from the beach at First Landing SP, and similarly, the beaches of the North End and at Fort Story tend to be the most reliable places to be able to catch an individual in transit to or from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Each winter, we also tend to have individuals reported from the base of the bridge near Guy Avenue, or from Little Creek Inlet where public views are only possible from the Norfolk side, but individuals are often seen flying through Virginia Beach airspace. With construction continuing at the first and second islands of the bridge-tunnel complex, there is unfortunately nowhere to stop to see the birds out in the bay, but occasionally they can be picked up by passengers in vehicles travelling along the bridge span. This month, there were very few reports for this species farther south than Virginia Beach, with just a couple of individuals reported in Dare, Onslow & New Hanover, North Carolina. A significant outlier this month occurred on the St. Lawrence River from New York, but all other reports in Eastern North America during February were more coastal. Heading into March, this is certainly a species to keep an eye out for, and its sleek, greenish black plumage with strong white facial marking & hip patch tend to stand out even at extreme distance. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Rarely reported during the winter season away from strongholds like Chincoteague NWR and Eastern Shore NWR in Accomack & Northampton, respectively, we were fortunate to host a lovely TRICOLORED HERON this month at Back Bay NWR, beginning on 10 Feb (ph. Steve Keith & Reuben Rohn) and continuing through month’s end. This individual persisted around the small, freshwater pond at the western end of the Raptor Trail (formerly the Bay Trail, and still identified as such on some online maps). Potentially a separate individual, one was also present farther south in the refuge near the False Cape SP border on 16 Feb (vis. David Clark & Cindy Hamilton). Of course, this isn’t too great a distance for a Tricolored Heron to traverse, but given the 10 Feb individual’s reliability in being present at the west end of the Raptor Trail, it's at least possible that the other report is of a different individual. In any case, it’s quite exciting for us to be able to see this species here during the winter season, as there hadn’t been a single report for Tricolored Heron since one was at Pleasure House Point NA on 16 Nov (ph. June McDaniels), with that individual even being quite late to still be lingering in the city. During the 2019-20 winter season, Back Bay did provide a single record on 26 Jan, and one was present for a day during the 2018-19 season on 2 Dec, but in most winter seasons we have not been as fortunate. This month, there was no reports for this species elsewhere in the state except at Chincoteague NWR. Outside Virginia, reports for wintering individual extended as far north as Ocean, New Jersey, with perhaps only a couple of individuals in total occurring north of Virginia’s coastline. Given that reports continued through month’s end, it is likely that this individual will persist at Back Bay NWR into March, and we are right about a month away from the typical spring arrival date for northbound individuals. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Making for the most northerly record in Eastern North America this month, a single CATTLE EGRET was photographed in a flooded impoundment at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels)! In most winter seasons, Virginia Beach tends to be the most northern extreme for where this species can successfully spend the season, but records have been quite scarce here since December, with only a small group noted on the Back Bay Christmas Bird Count, and likely the same flock, though less in number, present around Charity Neck Road in January. Like the Tricolored Heron discussed above, we are right about a month away from when northbound individuals and flocks will start passing through the city again, so it will be interesting to see if we have any farther observations of true winterers before that occurs. While there were no other reports for this species elsewhere in the state this month, coastal North Carolina did produce quite a few records, but really, dense pockets of reports did not extend northeast of Florida, Georgia & South Carolina during February. With increased attention on agricultural lands in the southern portion of Virginia Beach, it is likely that we would see a few more reports of this species each winter, but, in colder winters, Cattle Egret does tend to move farther south, and successful wintering is not an every-season occurrence at Virginia Beach’s latitude. It is interesting that this February individual was found foraging with a Snowy Egret (also early for this location) out in the water, rather than working a dry field like the species is most often observed doing. With ample agricultural habitat on the western side of Back Bay for foraging, it is curious why this individual ended up on a flooded impoundment. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Clearly an exceptional month for non-passerine species in Virginia Beach, we did manage quite a few passerine highlights in February as well. Continuing since December, the resident group of three SNOW BUNTINGS continued to be observed on the beach at First Landing SP this month, though the count dwindled to a single individual as of the latest report on 23 Feb (vis. Steve Keith). Typically found near the small tidal/rainwater pools on the beach near the Fort Story boundary fence, a great many birders, both local and visiting, descended on this area to search for the species throughout the last couple of months. First reported on 4 Dec (ph. June McDaniels), this flock accounted for almost all the Snow Bunting reports in eBird for the state this winter. In fact, the only other county in Virginia to have a documented record for this species this season was Frederick, with a single individual present 19-20 Feb (ph. Gabriel Ricketts) very close to the West Virginia border. Surprisingly, there were not any records for the species in Northampton, Accomack, or in Hampton where they have been somewhat reliable in recent winter seasons. Interestingly, the First Landing SP flock was the most southerly occurrence for the species this winter season, with no other accepted reports in eBird farther south, and the nearest coastal reports occurring up in Worcester, Maryland. During February specifically, the nearest coastal record was all the way up in Sussex, Delaware, so clearly, the group at First Landing SP made for quite a geographic outlier this month. Given the lack of reports in the last few days of the month and knowing that Snow Buntings tend to depart quite early, it feels a bit unlikely that we will see further records extending into March, but it could happen. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
A rare winterer in Eastern North America, we continued to see reports for the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond this month through 16 Feb (ph. Marlee Fuller-Morris). Though Virginia Beach has had a couple of other Clay-colored Sparrows reported in past winters, they have always been single sighting records, like one on Pocahontas Club Road on 18 Jan 2018 (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and one at Virginia Beach National Golf Club on 25 Jan 2020 (ph. Andrew Baldelli). What makes the Harris Teeter individual exciting, is that it has continued in a relatively small area for an extended period of time, and this individual, originally found at this location on 30 Dec (ph. Rob Bielawski), has accounted for about two dozen reports over the past couple of months. Since we have not tracked any prior Clay-colored Sparrows through the entirety of the winter season, we are not sure when this individual might decide to move on, so any chance one gets to try and follow up on the bird is worth taking. Though there was only the one record for the second half of February, it is still quite possible that this Clay-colored Sparrow is still lingering at this location, and fortunately, with this being the most reliable spot in the city to view White-crowned Sparrows this season, birder coverage of the area is likely to continue. During February, there was only one other record for this species in the state, barely across the Virginia Beach border into Chesapeake, when a surprise pair popped up at a private residence off Blackwater Road on 4 Feb (ph. Karen & Keith Roberts). Interestingly, that residence has also hosted a Rufous Hummingbird, an Indigo Bunting, and a Painted Bunting this winter. Outside Virginia, there was only nine other known occurrences for this species north of Florida in February, with singles North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Prince Edward Island, as well as two in Georgia and Nova Scotia. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
In addition to the Clay-colored Sparrow, we had a high volume of reports for the WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS also inhabiting the vegetated fence lines of the Harris Teeter Retention Pond this month! This group has had quite a storied history since the first individual was observed back on 14 Oct (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). At January’s end, we were aware of at least five different individuals residing at this location, with an adult GAMBEL’S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW found on 19 Nov (ph. Steve Myers), an immature Gambel’s found on 6 Dec (ph. & v.r. Rob Bielawski), then a pair of Dark-lored race immatures being observed in simultaneous view on 3 Jan (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), and lastly, a Dark-lored race adult was found on 17 Jan (ph. Ty Smith & Evan Spears). In February, a sixth individual was found to be present when a group of three adults were all in view simultaneously on 26 Feb (vis. Rob Bielawski). At the close of the month, it is unknown whether this third adult is of the Gambel’s or Dark-lored race, so currently all we can say is there is one of each type, and one unknown present. But we do know there are at least three immatures, and three adults, two of which are of the rarer, Gambel’s type for certain. Away from Harris Teeter, there was only one other report for this species in Virginia Beach during February, with a sight report from Cayman Lane on 18 Feb (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). With only one reported in Northampton this month, the nearest other Virginia records were all closer to the fall line outside Richmond, which means wintering individuals of this species are quite rare throughout the state’s coastal plain. With only eight other locations east of the Mississippi River yielding records for Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow this month, the immature & adult wintering here were once again the only known to be in Virginia, with the closest record occurring in Ohio. (Species-level: Feb 2021 Map of Records | Gambel’s race: Feb 2021 Map of Records)
In what has proven to be a strong winter season for YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT in southeastern Virginia, we had continuing records in February for two of the three known individuals that were observed here last month. Like the sparrows mentioned above, the first Yellow-breasted Chat has also spent the winter at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond, after being found on 11 Dec (vis. Mike Collins) it has persisted at this site through at least 21 Feb (vis. Lisa Rose). The second individual that made it into February was one that wintered near the visitor center at Back Bay NWR, first reported on 2 Jan (ph. Greg Hudson), and then last observed on 1 Feb (ph. Tracy Tate) in the same area. The individual that was observed in January along Munden Road between the Beasley/Whitehurst Tracts (ph. Steve Keith) was unfortunately not observed again, but is likely to still be in the area, given one successfully wintered at this location last winter. All three of these locations feature abundant, dense vegetation, and access to fresh water ditches or rainwater pools, so any other areas of the city that meet those same criteria could possibly hold this species through winter. During February, there was only one other record in Virginia for this species, with a continuing individual in Larchmont, Norfolk at the residence that also hosted the state’s first Buff-bellied Hummingbird in Dec/Jan. A pair of locations in Chesapeake that yielded individuals during January did not boast any further records. With around 15 or so other records in Eastern North America this month, north of Florida (all coastal), it is clear just how rare a winterer this species is this far north. But, if one could survive through the entire month in Newfoundland, as one did on the Avalon Peninsula in February, it goes to show just how hardy a species this is. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Providing the first report for the species since 2018 in Virginia Beach, a male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was twice reported near Pungo this month, with the initial sighting near the Napa Auto Parts store along Princess Anne Road on 2 Feb (vis. David Clark), and another visual not far away, along Charity Neck Road the following day (vis. Karen & Tom Beatty). Extremely rare in Virginia, though with a slight level of expectation from fall to spring along the coast, this individual was observed among a massive flock of mixed blackbird species, as they typically are found among in the East. This flock moved around the central/southern portion of the city at will and made it extremely difficult for birders to try and track. For a few days, the flock seemed to roost in the fields off Princess Anne Lane, but with corn stubble blocking views of most of the birds it was near impossible to pick through them all in the hopes of spotting something yellow. With no other records for this species in the state this month, and only about a dozen known individuals occurring east of the Mississippi River, we were very fortunate to see these reports. While there have been several reports of flyover individuals in the past decade in Virginia Beach, we have not had a truly chaseable individual, and this species has managed to evade photographers since 2010 when one was captured by images at Pleasure House Point NA. Unfortunately, by month’s end the massive flock had mostly dispersed, leaving behind only smaller, fragmented portions in the agricultural areas south of Pungo, but perhaps with some luck, there is at least some chance this bird will pop up again. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
For a third month in a row, Virginia Beach was fortunate enough to see reports for BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, with an adult male photographed at a private residence near Lake Smith on 15 Feb (ph. Bob Zabot) and continuing to be reported there through 27 Feb. Initially found at this residence in early January, this record briefly overlapped with another Bullock’s Oriole, an immature male, that was present in South Shore Estates from 27 Dec-4 Jan (vis. James Marcum) and highlighted in the prior two entries to this Journal. The mere fact that there was not one, but two Bullock’s Orioles present in the city this winter season is truly remarkable. The Lake Smith individual has certainly been the longer-staying of the two, and with a report so close to the end of the month, it seems possible, or even likely that March could continue to produce reports. This adult male could pop up at any grape jelly feeders in the area around Lake Smith, and it likely has visited other locations given that it has not been an every-day visitor to the Zabot residence. So, if you are one of the many birders in Virginia Beach who is hosting Baltimore Orioles this winter season in your yard, make sure to keep careful watch on these groups, as a Bullock’s could easily merge into one of these flocks. During February, there were no other reports for this species in the state, and only about twenty other records in Eastern North America overall. The nearest record to us was another adult male found in Carteret, North Carolina on 3 Feb, and then individuals outside of Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Very scarce throughout the coastal counties of Virginia, even in their expected fall through spring window, a flock of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS found at Red Wing Park on 3 Feb (ph. Steve Myers) provided birders in the city with the first chasable flock in many years. Counts of this flock varied, but the peak count of 37 was detected on 13 Feb, with a close count of 36 also occurring on 7 Feb. Mixed in with a group of Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds, this flock was observed along the perimeter tree lines of the park through at least 27 Feb. Interestingly, we had two other individuals detected elsewhere in the city this month as well, with one at Munden Point Park on 13 Feb (ph. Steve Myers), and another at Red Mill Farms Park the following day (ph. Elizabeth Lyons). With no records occurring in February in either of the Eastern Shore counties, the Virginia Beach records were the only documented occurrences along east of the Great Dismal Swamp, where wintering flocks are expected. Always a species of interest, Rusty Blackbird’s population has plummeted in recent decades as a whole, so seeing this wave of local records is exciting, and perhaps a positive indicator for the species. Though, it could also be that harsher weather in the interior of Virginia may have driven these birds to the coastline, but whatever the reason, we were all happy to have an opportunity to view them. Certainly, parks like Red Wing, or West Neck Creek NA, or Stumpy Lake NA possess the proper habitat to hold individuals or flocks during the winter season, but we have not had much luck in recent years at actually finding this species for whatever reason. Hopefully, Red Wing Park will continue to see birders checking on the status of this flock into March, just to give us a better feel for when they start departing the region and heading northward. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Continuing for the third straight month at Breeze Farms off Gibbs Road, a group of BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS was reported just a single time this month, on 10 Feb (vis. David Clark). First detected at this location on 4 Dec (ph. Steve Myers) this is the fifth winter season in a row that the species has been present at this private farm in the Blackwater portion of southern Virginia Beach. Last season, the flock persisted here until 15 Mar, so there is a good chance that we could see additional reports next month. In January, Brewer’s Blackbird tends to be highly sought after by birders who are starting out their new calendar year lists, and so we do see more reports in that month than we do in February or March, not because the species isn’t present, but due to less and less birders spending time looking for it as the season tracks onward. However, it is still worth following, just to see where the true departure dates land for this species. During February, this flock made for the only known occurrence of the species in the state, and the only record farther up to the East Coast states occurred in Baltimore, Maryland this month. With reports coming to a screeching halt at about midway through Kentucky and Tennessee, and only scattered reports in the from South Carolina and farther south, it is clear the species “shouldn’t” be found in numbers so far away from there core wintering range, but as always, we are happy to have them! (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
The strong showing of wintering BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS continued across southeast Virginia this month, with at least five individuals known to be present in Virginia Beach specifically. Four of the five had been observed earlier in the winter season (or in late fall) and have now made it through the entire winter season, but the most interesting record for this month was that of a female found at Birchwood Malibu Park on 27 Feb (ph. Lisa Rose), given the species hadn’t been seen at this location over the past several months. A vibrant male was present in the campground area of First Landing SP on 26 Feb (ph. Caitlyn Kufahl, Carolyn Morgan & Sarah O’Reilly) and again on 28 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski), likely the same individual first noted at this location 24 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer) and observed again during the Little Creek Christmas Bird Count on 31 Dec (vis. Adam D’Onofrio). Elsewhere in the city, a female first noted at Stumpy Lake NA on 22 Nov (ph. Lisa Rose) likely wintered there, as reports from the natural area continued through 11 Feb (ph. Steve Keith). Another female that has been visiting a private residence’s feeders since 13 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) continued through the same date of 11 Feb, and a male first detected at Lake Lawson and Lake Smith NA on 2 Dec (ph. Cindy Hamilton & Steve Keith) continued there through at least 4 Feb (vis. Cassidy Titus). Elsewhere in the state, Norfolk had a pair of records, Chesapeake had one, as did Hopewell, Richmond (city) and Alexandria. However, the species was exceptionally rare north of Virginia in February, with only three such individuals accounted for, with one each in Pennsylvania, New Brunswick, and one remarkable outlier in Newfoundland for which records ceased after 10 Feb, though it was reported daily up to that point. We are about a month away from the expected spring arrival date for non-wintering individuals in Virginia Beach, so for the next several weeks it will be fun to continue to track these individuals that have survived the winter season here. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Outside of the five expected wintering warblers, and the Black-and-white Warblers just discussed, there was only one other species known to be present in Virginia Beach this month, that being the vibrant YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER! Almost more reliable as a winterer here than in any other season at this point (aside from spring migration perhaps), we had one continuing individual that persisted at a private residence in Bellamy Manor through 26 Feb (ph. Una Davenhill), after first being reported here back on 12 Oct! As was the case in the prior two winter seasons, this individual appears poised to successfully complete the entirety of the season in this residential yard, and perhaps is about to complete its fourth winter season, as a whole in the neighborhood, with reports from other residences known as well in the 2017-18 winter season. Also host to a Townsend Warbler a couple of months ago, this yard has certainly been no stranger to rarities, with a surprise Lark Sparrow visiting briefly at the very end of 2019 as well! It just goes to show what is possible in coastal county like Virginia Beach, where it truly feels like anything can happen. Elsewhere in Virginia, there was single reports for other Yellow-throated Warbler in Chesapeake, James City and Fairfax, so only four individuals were known to occur this month in the state. Only about ten records occurred north of Virginia’s latitude this month, with the most northeasterly records in Nova Scotia and two surprising, inland records hailing from LaGrange, Indiana and Benzie, Michigan. With an expected spring arrival date of 20 Mar throughout Virginia’s coastal plain, we will likely see a resurgence in records away from the Bellamy Manor individual by the end of March, with Stumpy Lake NA as the most likely location to yield the species based on past records. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
Seemingly increasing across the city during the winter season in recent years, we saw a significant number of reports for PAINTED BUNTING this month in Virginia Beach, mostly in the central portion of the city and within a few miles of Oceana NAS. At least nine individuals were recorded to eBird this month, and there is a likelihood that quite a few others have been present in the city and simply not reported. Reports from locations for the first time this season included a very surprising, 3-count of female/immatures present near the Oceanfront Resort Area on 8 Feb (ph. Taryn Paul), another female/immature visiting a feeder in Kempsville on 12 Feb (ph. Teresa Conlon) that had not been viewed yet this season but was present in past winters at this location, an adult male at a private residence in Chimney Hill on 22 Feb (ph. Jen Klotz), and another adult male at a private residence somewhere near Red Wing Park from 13-27 Feb (ph. Tamera Crouch). Continuing individuals present earlier in the season that were logged again in February include a female/immature at a private residence in Oak Springs on 10 Feb that had been present since 11 Dec (ph. Carolyn Page), another at a Kempsville private residence found 27 Dec and present through 19 Feb (ph. Betty Sue Cohen), and one final female/immature at a Laurel Manor residence 5 Oct through 28 Feb (vis. Tommy Maloney). Peculiar in its winter distribution, given that the species does not spend the summer season north of here along the East Coast, there was about fifteen other records for Painted Bunting in states north of Virginia, and about ten others elsewhere in the state this month. For a species that used to be considered exceptionally rare in the state, clearly either numbers have increased here in recent winters, or perhaps more individuals hosting these birds are simply tied into the birding/eBirding community where the records are becoming better known. In any case, the number of reports seems to rise each winter here, though as the weather warms, we will have to see how many are still observed through March. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
As mentioned, the end of February tends to be the beginning of the Spring migration season. Species that had their first-of-season reports during February included:
Laughing Gull – First Observed: 1, Rudee Inlet, 15 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate); First Photographed: 3, Rudee Inlet, 1 Mar (ph. Steve Keith). [Note: Records for this species occurred through the winter season along the coast of Virginia Beach, but a small gap in records during early to mid-February indicates these are likely the first true spring arrivals.].
Osprey – First Observed: 1, Signature at West Neck, 22 Feb (vis. Pamela Monahan); First Photographed: 1, Sherwood Lakes, 26 Feb (ph. Rob Bielawski). [Note: While this species is expected around Lynnhaven Inlet and the nearby tidal tributaries feeding the Chesapeake Bay, these are the first northbound individuals noted away from the known wintering grounds in the city, indicating that individuals who wintered south of here are now moving back north.].
Blue-winged Teal – First Observed & Photographed: 2 (1 drake & 1 hen), Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract, 28 Feb (ph. June McDaniels). [Note: Records for this species occurred through the winter season at Back Bay NWR and False Cape SP, but this is the first city record to occur where this species was not recorded since the fall migration season.].
Of course, plenty of other interesting occurrences were input to eBird from around the city this month, and the following is a listing of those, along with some miscellaneous notes:
There was only one known Sedge Wren reported this month from a publicly-accessible portion of the city, with an individual wintering near the West Dike entrance gate at Back Bay NWR observed on 6 Feb (ph. Andrew Baldelli) and again on 26 Feb (vis. Rob Bielawski).
A more regular winter resident farther inland, the only Canvasbacks reported in the three coastal Virginia counties this month was the continuing group at Oliver’s Pond first noted 16 Jan (vis. Tracy Tate) and most recently reported 27 Feb.
An American Coot was observed off the beach at First Landing SP while it foraged among the pound stakes on the Chesapeake Bay on 25 Feb (vis. Tracy Tate), making for an unusual record for this species on open salt water.
The only Snowy Egret reported away from the known wintering populations around Lynnhaven Inlet, an individual was noted at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 28 Feb (vis. June McDaniels) in the company of an out-of-season Cattle Egret.
With no records in February, Ruddy Turnstone was not observed a single time this winter season in Virginia Beach, making for a staggering gap in records for this species along the East Coast. So long as there is no public access to the first and second islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, this once commonly reported species is likely to continue to be absent from our checklists during future winter seasons. (Feb 2021 Map of Records)
As of the month’s end, a total of 1,403 photographs & audio records were submitted to eBird for Virginia Beach for February. All of these images & audio recordings can be viewed by visiting this page over at eBird.
Top Virginia Beach Hotspots for February, by Number of Species: 1. Back Bay NWR (113), 2. Little Island Park (75), 3. Pleasure House Point NA (74), 4. Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) (65), 5. First Landing SP Campground/Beach (64), 6. Stumpy Lake NA (63), 7. Red Wing Park (61), 8. Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract (59), Tie-9. Harris Teeter Retention Pond (58), Tie-9. Rudee Inlet (58).
Top Virginia Beach Hotspots for 2021 to date, by Number of Species: 1. Back Bay NWR (129), 2. Little Island Park (100), 3. Pleasure House Point NA (97), 4. First Landing SP Campground/Beach (82), 5. Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) (78), Tie-6. Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract (74), Tie-6. Stumpy Lake NA (74), Tie-8. Harris Teeter Retention Pond (73), Tie-8. Rudee Inlet (73), 10. False Cape SP (68).
Lastly, as we look forward to March, the following species all have expected spring arrival dates during the month and should be looked for. If encountering any of these species for the first time this season, please be sure to document to the best of your ability, as these expected arrival dates are dependent on that documentation in eBird:
Piping Plover (15 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Royal Tern (15 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Purple Martin (15 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (15 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (20 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Glossy Ibis (20 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (20 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Yellow-throated Warbler (20 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Pectoral Sandpiper (25 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Lesser Yellowlegs (25 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Chimney Swift (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Least Sandpiper (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Short-billed Dowitcher (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Little Blue Heron (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Tricolored Heron (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Cattle Egret (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
White-eyed Vireo (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Barn Swallow (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Ovenbird (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Black-and-white Warbler (30 Mar) – View Current Spring Migration Records Map.
Hopefully over the course of the next thirty-one days, we see another exciting suite of unusual finds in the city. For those who wish for their observations to be included in this journal, please submit your records to www.eBird.org, and ensure that the proper documentation (whether written notes that rule out all similar species or photo/audio/video that is conclusive to species) is provided. Thank you to those who have taken the time to enter such documentation into eBird so these records may be publicly known and to those who took the time to read through this Journal entry. Be sure to check back next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during March! For further information regarding this monthly, online publication, please visit the Journal Overview Page which provides an explanation of the current format, layout and composition of the journal.