November 2021
/Vivid colors donned the vegetation around Virginia Beach this month, and the full vibrancy of oranges, yellows & reds was still readily apparent right up to month’s end, perhaps peaking a couple of weeks later than is typical here. Quite a change-up from last year, November proved to be colder than average with daily high temperatures averaging 59°F and daily lows averaging 42°F, putting the city at an even -2°F/-2°F in comparison to the NOAA 30-year climate average (61°F/44°F). These averages were in stark contrast to November 2020, which boasted significantly a significantly higher 68°F/49°F mark, although, we were right in line with November 2019’s 58°F/43°F averages. Overall, temperatures ranged from a high of 76°F on 18 Nov to a low of 28°F, the coldest day this season, on 30 Nov. As a birder, one might have expected that a cooler than average November would yield a greater number of waterfowl moving southward through the area. Unfortunately, this did not seem to be the case, as overall diversity & counts for ducks were obviously low, and we finished up the month without first-of-season records for Redhead, Long-tailed Duck, Canvasback, and Common Goldeneye. Most regularly occurring species were also later in arriving when comparing to the average arrival dates of recent seasons. Strong winds dominated the month, with most days boasting a westerly component. It seems somewhat possible that much of visible migration was simply farther offshore than we enjoy in Novembers when easterlies tend to dominate. These strong winds often made birding for passerines or other non-coastal species a bit more difficult than in prior Novembers. While diversity of expected coastal species felt a bit lacking for a month typically highlighted by large-scale movements, we were still extremely fortunate this month to host some stellar rarities and late season lingerers!
Kicking things off, the city’s first record for MUTE SWAN in over a year-and-a-half occurred this month, with an immature discovered along the upper reaches of Pleasure House Creek on 30 Nov (ph. Kathy Spencer) while viewing from Pleasure House Point NA. A species that was formerly much more widespread throughout southeast Virginia, records nowadays tend to be few and far between, with the most recent record prior to this being of an adult that occurred along this same stretch of water from 21-26 Jun 2020 (ph. Tommy Maloney). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
A group of 5-6 female COMMON MERGANSERS on the North Landing River visible from Munden Point Park 27-28 Nov (ph. Charlie Carr & Ryan Carr) proved to be the most southeasterly occurrence for the species in Eastern North America this month. There were no other photographically documented records in coastal Virginia during November, making this an exceptional outlier, made all the more interesting for occurring away from the clear, deep, freshwater lakes that tend to snag the majority of records in Virginia Beach. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Rare along our coastline during the winter season, a group of seven RED KNOTS was discovered along the beach at False Cape SP on 15 Nov (obs. Lauren Mowbray), during the thrice-monthly Back Bay NWR survey. With the most recent reports for this species in Virginia Beach having occurred in the same stretch of beach on 28 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), it seems likely that we won’t see records elsewhere until spring migration brings this species back northward. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Unusual this late in the season, a single WESTERN SANDPIPER foraging along the sandy beach at First Landing SP on 1 Nov (ph. June McDaniels) made for an exciting late fall record. While Virginia Beach is within the latitude tolerance of this species’ winter range (and the species is regularly observed in nearby Hampton and along the Eastern Shore lagoon system), our lack of its preferred tidal mudflat habitat makes them very scarce here after early October. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Reported from the two most popular seawatch locations in the city this month, PARASITIC JAEGERS were observed 11-13 & 23 Nov from Little Island Park (peak count of 2, vis. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty) and 27-28 Nov from Rudee Inlet (one photographic record on the latter date, ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). In recent fall seasons, November has been prime time for jaeger migration, though numbers appeared down this year especially when compared to the 2017 season, but probably more around average for our patch of coastline. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Extremely rare away from pelagic waters, an immature BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was viewed flying over the Chesapeake Bay mouth from First Landing SP’s beachfront on 3 Nov (vis. David Clark). Coupled with another sight record from Accomack, these were the only records for the species this month in the state, and the Virginia Beach record was the first inshore record for the city going back to 19 May 2020 when Tropical Storm Arthur steered one past 83rd Street Beach (vis. Edward Brinkley). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Astonishing for Eastern North America as a whole, an adult HEERMANN’S GULL in non-breeding plumage was found along the Oceanfront beaches near 33rd Street Beach two or three days prior to being reported to eBird on 4 Nov (ph. Deb Oare & Steve Oare). While there was also a first cycle Heermann’s Gull milling around Hopewell during November, this species is so unexpected in the east that it is widely speculated the adult is the same individual that showed up near here in May, and has been trekking up and down (and up?) the East Coast over the past year. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Typically not found at our latitude (or farther to the north) after 10 Nov, a single CASPIAN TERN observed flying past the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier on 22 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for an excellent 12-day late record. This marks the latest fall departure record we have in eBird for the city, though there is one bizarre, outlier occurrence of an individual found in mid-winter at Dam Neck Naval Annex (Restricted) on 12 Jan 2020 (ph. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
One would have been excellent, but BROWN BOOBY, a species we don’t see annually in the city, managed to produce an incredible pair of records in Virginia Beach this month! An adult was first observed flying along Sandbridge on 26 Nov (ph. Carrie Sandler) then later reported from Back Bay NWR, Little Island Park and Rudee Inlet through 29 Nov, while an immature was viewed off Rudee Inlet 27-29 Nov (ph. Baxter Beamer, Rob Bielawski, Steve Keith & Max Nootbaar) following a fishing trawler and at times, perching on the offshore groin (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
A fairly rare transient along our coastline, and mostly unexpected to occur within Virginia Beach away from the Chesapeake Bay mouth and bridge-tunnel complex, GREAT CORMORANT produced at least three notable reports this month. An individual was photographed in flight during strong onshore winds from Little Island Park on 6 Nov (ph. Baxter Beamer & Steve Myers) with perhaps a different individual passing by 8 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli), and potentially a third individual was reported from 85th Street Beach on 30 Nov (vis. Cindy Hamilton & Kathy Louthan). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Rare, but regular as a transient over Virginia Beach airspace, a group of fourteen AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS that put down on the tidal flats off Pleasure House Point NA on 13 Nov (ph. Matthew Doyle & Ray Doyle) made for a notable occurrence, with the last similar record (stationary flock) there occurring 29-30 Jan 2016 (vis. Stephen Living; ph. Andrew Baldelli). Additionally, a group of three was sighted flying past 89th Street Beach during the morning of 3 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
A pair of immature LITTLE BLUE HERONS reported at Princess Anne WMA (Beasley Tract) on 14 Nov (vis. Reuben Rohn) made for an exciting, late record for the city. Typically not found in Virginia Beach after 25 Oct, this is one of several waders that tends to linger into November more expectedly on the Eastern Shore to our north, than it does here, but one that always needs to be kept in mind in late fall and even into early winter (Dec). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Very similar in terms of expected distribution this time of year, one to two TRICOLORED HERONS also at Princess Anne WMA (Beasley Tract) on 14 Nov (2, vis. Andrew Baldelli; later 1, vis. Reuben Rohn) made for yet another unexpected wader surprise. Interestingly, Tricolored Heron tends to be a low-density, but expected winterer on the Eastern Shore’s barrier island marshes (most often noted from Chincoteague NWR) but is usually not present in Virginia Beach, aside from the occasional outlier at Back Bay NWR, past 15 Oct. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
A first for the city since 2019, a BARN OWL was observed on private property along Back Bay Landing Road on 4 Nov (vis. June McDaniels), marking only the third eBird record for Virginia Beach (though there are surely other historical occurrences documented). With a very specific habitat preference for grain silos and barns, this species is unlikely to be observed anywhere in the city with public access (aside from the two records from 2018 & 2019 at Pleasure House Point NA), but could potentially exist on private lands in the southern portion of the city. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Rare in Eastern North America, though with a window of annual likelihood from roughly Nov-Jan, a vagrant ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER made its way to Little Island Park on 12 Nov (ph. Ty Smith, David Spears & Evan Spears), making for the state’s only record so far for the fall 2021-spring 2022 cycle. While this species has been detected annually in recent years in Virginia Beach, individuals are typically not long-staying, as was the case here as well, with no follow-up reports unfortunately, but with potential for others to show up over the next couple of months at least. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Always a species to look for in late fall and early winter in Virginia Beach, at least two occurrences for WHITE-EYED VIREO were documented in November, with one reported from a private residence in Oak Springs 10 Nov (ph. Carolyn Page) and another heard and seen at False Cape SP 13 Nov (vis. & aud. Mich Coker). While we haven’t had a documented over-wintering White-eyed Vireo since the 2019-2020 season, it was nice to boast records for the species this month that eclipsed the typical 20 Oct fall departure date. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
For a season in which the species clearly isn’t irrupting into the region, a report of two RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES at First Landing SP 10 Nov (vis. & aud. June McDaniels) near the campground area, was certainly notable. While most birders were spoiled during the large-scale invasion of this species during the 2020-21 winter season, there has been only a few locations (Stumpy Lake NA, Back Bay NWR, False Cape SP) in Virginia Beach that have yielded reports so far this season, and unless we see a major shift in the weather, the species is likely to remain scarce. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Found primarily in agricultural fields, and typically farther inland from the coast than Virginia Beach, it was exciting to see a single report this month for AMERICAN PIPIT, with an unexpected individual present on the wind-washed mudflats of Back Bay NWR’s kayak launch on 8 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani). Only the second record for the species (and second individual) in the city this fall season, unless someone happens upon an as-yet-unknown flock in Pungo or Blackwater, this could potentially be the last individual recorded until spring migration, with the species often unreported during the winter season here. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Very similar to Red-breasted Nuthatch in terms of year-to-year distribution, a single vocalizing flyover PINE SISKIN made for a notable record at Pleasure House Point NA on 10 Nov (aud. David Clark) given no others have been reported within Virginia Beach this fall season. Interestingly, only a single individual as photographed south of Virginia Beach along the coast this month (Dare, NC) which really showcases just how scarce a species this can be outside of irruption seasons (like 2020-21 was). (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Exceptionally early in terms of eBird records for Virginia Beach, a FOX SPARROW arrived at an Indian River private residence on 15 Nov (vis. George Harris), marking the earliest fall arrival date for the species since one at Carolanne Farms Park on 9 Nov 2017 (obs. Brandon Holland). Typical arrival for Virginia Beach tends to be around 25 Nov, though this species’ habitat preference for forested areas and adjacent thickets could potentially obscure arrival dates due to the difficulty in detecting individuals, and less birder coverage in forested portions of the city during this time of year following the end of peak passerine migration by early October. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Very scarce in coastal areas south of Delaware, only one location in Virginia Beach yielded records for WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW this month with up to five different individuals reported at the Harris Teeter Retention Pond, sporadically throughout November. At least one of the individuals is an adult GAMBEL’S (found 31 Oct, ph. Tommy Maloney, and observed again 21 Nov, ph. Rob Bielawski), a western vagrant subspecies with only a handful of records in Eastern North America this month, while the others all appear to be of the expected, Dark-lored race. (Nov 2021 Map of Records | Gambel’s Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Rare as a transient in late fall, and rarer heading into the winter season, a single LINCOLN’S SPARROW found at Princess Anne WMA (Whitehurst Tract) on 28 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) made for only the second record in the city this cycle, with another being found only a mile or so away on the Beasley Tract in October. One of the more secretive sparrows, this species has been found at the WMA in each of the past three winter seasons, so there is certainly potential for reports to continue into December. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Exceptional anywhere along the East Coast, the adult male BULLOCK’S ORIOLE that showed up a South Shore Estates private residence on 15 Oct (vis. James Marcum; later ph. David Clark) continued to be noted through 19 Nov, but appears to have vanished, with no reports over the last third of November. Presumed to be the now-grown-up immature male that visited this feeder setup last winter (stayed 27 Dec-4 Jan), this is perhaps only the third ever record of an adult male Bullock’s Oriole in Virginia Beach, and one of only seven wayward individuals reported from east of the Mississippi River during November. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
The only records thus far in the state for the fall 2021-spring 2022 cycle, at least two PAINTED BUNTINGS were noted during November around Oceana NAS at private residences from 26 Nov (one adult male and one female/immature, ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) through 29 Nov (one female/immature, ph. Cindy Hamilton). A true outlier in Virginia, for whatever reason there seems to be a regular, and potentially sizable population of wintering Painted Buntings in Virginia Beach, though they tend to be exclusively found on private property. (Nov 2021 Map of Records)
Species that had their first-of-season accepted observation in a prior month, but had their first media record during November included:
American Wigeon – First Observed: 2, Back Bay NWR (K Pool East), 28 Sep (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). First Photographed: 23, Little Island Park, 2 Nov (ph. Kathy Richardson).
Orange-crowned Warbler – First Observed: 1, Pleasure House Point NA, 17 Oct (vis. William Goode, Jr.). First Photographed: 2, Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract, 14 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Bonaparte’s Gull – First Observed: 1 immature, Lynnhaven Inlet, 21 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). First Photographed: 6, Rudee Inlet, 15 Nov (ph. Steve Myers).
Species that had their first-of-season observation &/or media record during November included:
Tundra Swan – First Observed: X, Back Bay NWR, 1 Nov (obs. David Clark). First Photographed: 7, Back Bay NWR (Beach), 11 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani).
Lesser Scaup – First Observed: 2, 89th St. Beach, 3 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli).
Brant – First Observed: 2, Pleasure House Point NA, 3 Nov (obs. Cheryl Jacobson).
Bufflehead – First Observed: 3, Pleasure House Point NA, 3 Nov (vis. Steve Myers). First Photographed: 6, Pleasure House point NA, 10 Nov (ph. Steve Keith).
Hooded Merganser – First Observed & Photographed: 1 drake, Sherwood Lakes (North Pond), 4 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels).
Horned Grebe – First Observed & Photographed: 1, Sherwood Lakes (North Pond), 4 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels).
Red-breasted Merganser – First Observed: 1-4, Little Island Park, 6 Nov (vis. Baxter Beamer & Steve Myers). First Photographed: 2 females, Little Island Park, 7 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski).
Red-throated Loon – First Observed: 1, Little Island Park, 8 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli).
Savannah Sparrow (Ipswich) – First Observed & Photographed: 1, First Landing SP (Beach), 9 Nov (ph. June McDaniels).
Purple Sandpiper – First Observed: 2, Rudee Inlet, 15 Nov (vis. Steve Myers). First Photographed: 3, Rudee Inlet, 23 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney).
Fox Sparrow – First Observed: 1, Indian River (Private Residence), 15 Nov (vis. George Harris). First Photographed: 2, Stumpy Lake NA, 23 Nov (ph. Reuben Rohn).
Razorbill – First Observed: 20, Virginia Beach Pelagic Waters, 17 Nov (vis. Rudee Tours).
Common Eider – First Observed & Photographed: 1 immature male, Rudee Inlet, 23 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney).
Snow Goose – First Observed: 50, Rudee Inlet, 27 Nov (vis. Michael Linz & Patty McLean).
As always, a wide array of media (photo/audio/video) was submitted during the month in Virginia Beach, and eBird makes it incredibly easy to organize and browse all of these. For those hoping to view every photo/audio/video submitted for Virginia Beach during this period, please see the complete listing for the month of November located on eBird's Media Explorer by clicking here! Please remember, anyone with an eBird user account has the ability to rate these photo/audio/video on a scale of 1-5 stars (based on these guidelines). Making use of the average rating for each media item is how eBird populates anything media-driven on the website, particularly the Illustrated Checklists. So, if you’re one of the many folks who enjoy looking at photographs or watching/listening to video/audio recordings of birds, please take some time to rate their quality, it helps to make eBird more useful with each passing day!
Hopefully over the course of the next thirty-one days we will see records for some unexpected species in the city. For those who wish for 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 entry. Be sure to check back next month to see what birders will have found in Virginia Beach during December!