November 2023
/November is always a fascinating month in Virginia Beach. The amount of daylight available for birding becomes noticeably reduced, Daylight Savings Time throws everyone for a loop, and the beautiful fall colors have hit their peak and the leaves have started to fall to the ground. Wintering species are showing up in increasing numbers and also in diversity, while lingering transients and summer residents can often still be found for those who are willing to dig for them, especially if the first portion of the month stays warm enough. November also tends to be the peak month for vagrants from the West to show up here in the East, so one never fully knows what to expect on any given day. All told, there was 32 species meeting the current Notable Observations Criteria observed in Virginia Beach this month, with the occurrence of each of these described in greater detail within this entry.
The first of its kind to be observed in Virginia Beach since 13 Mar 2021, a single ROSS’S GOOSE was found floating among a Canada Goose flock on the north pond at Sherwood Lakes during the morning of 29 Nov (ph. Reuben Rohn), and this individual continued to be reported at (and around) this location into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
During a follow-up visit to view the Ross’s Goose at Sherwood Lakes on 29 Nov, a single CACKLING GOOSE was noted among the Canada Goose flock on the north pond (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels; later ph. George Bailey, Amy Myers & Steve Myers). (Nov 2023 Map of Records), with the individual being reported into December.
A pair of MUTE SWANS was found on Lake Charles in the Thoroughgood neighborhood, as viewed from the northern terminus of Moores Lane on 25 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski & Peggy DeRolf), with both continuing at the location into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Not recorded in Virginia Beach since 26 Mar 2021, our first EURASIAN WIGEON in almost two years was found when the thrice-monthly, refuge impoundment survey at Back Bay NWR turned up a drake on C Pool on the morning of 27 Nov (vis. Lydia Hansen). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Typically a mid-November arrival, early-arriving REDHEADS were reported at First Landing SP’s beach (four) on 3 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and at Dam Neck Naval Annex (one) on 5 Nov (vis. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Though missed altogether as a species in Virginia Beach last winter, a single female COMMON EIDER was present around Lynnhaven Inlet from 3-6 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani) and an additional two females were observed in southbound flight past Little Island Park’s pier on 21 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) during a major pre-frontal movement of seabirds. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Generally scarce after October, at least four locations produced records for late-lingering RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS this month with one at a Hunt Club Forest private residence on 1 Nov (vis. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty), one at a Laurel Manor private residence (which held a successful over-winterer last season) on 24 Nov (vis. Tommy Maloney), one at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 27 Nov (vis. Matt Robertson & Matthew Robertson) and two (one female and one immature male) at a Laurel Cove private residence (also held a successful over-winterer last season) throughout the month (ph. Loretta Silvia) with both continuing into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
The continuing, first-ever known LIMPKIN in Virginia Beach continued to be seen at a private residence near the Heron Ridge Golf Course throughout the month (vis. Harold Lloyd) and continued into December, marking the fourth calendar month for its stay at the location. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Two of the four HUDSONIAN GODWITS that had been present on the C Pool at Back Bay NWR since 5 Oct (ph. David Clark, Jeff Kendle & Reuben Rohn) continued through the first of the thrice-monthly refuge impoundment surveys this month, on 6 Nov (vis. Robert Ake). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Though the species can sometimes linger into winter along our coast (and has successfully over-wintered at higher latitudes), a single RED KNOT on the beach at Back Bay NWR on 20 Nov (ph. Louis Sokolow) made for the only record in the city this month, with the last prior record back on 16 Oct. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
A common fall migrant along the coast, but unusual during November, a small flock of four PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on the southern impoundment at Princess Anne WMA Beasley Tract on 5 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski) made for a surprise, late record, with the last prior city report occurring exactly a month earlier on 5 Oct. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Scarce in Virginia Beach at any time of year, but especially so after early October, three WESTERN SANDPIPERS observed during a refuge impoundment survey on Back Bay NWR’s C Pool on 25 Oct (vis. Robert Ake & David Clark) lingered at the same location through 6 Nov (vis. Robert Ake) made for the city’s only record after September this season. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
November is typically the peak month for PARASITIC JAEGER movement along our coast, and this iteration held several records as a result, with one photographed from the Little Island Park pier in southbound flight on 12 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski), a pair seen from the beach farther north in Sandbridge on 17 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and then up to three individuals observed singly from the Oceanfront Resort Area on 24-25 Nov (ph. Will Brooks). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
In addition to aforementioned Parasitic Jaegers, there was also report for a single JAEGER SP. off the beach in Sandbridge on 17 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli), though likely to be another Parasitic due to their preference for inshore waters this time of year, Pomarine Jaeger is also in the realm of possibility of being observed along our coastline. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Rare, and early for Virginia Beach, a single immature ICELAND GULL was reported from the Oceanfront Resort Area on 24 Nov (vis. Will Brooks), which marked our first occurrence for the 2023-24 season, and was one of only two observed along the East Coast south of New Jersey thus far. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Extremely rare in the East, an unprecedented two PACIFIC LOONS were reported this month in Virginia Beach, with one reported from Little Island Park’s pier starting on 21 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and continuing to be reported here and at nearby Back Bay NWR into December, and another recorded in flight past the Oceanfront Resort Area on 24 Nov (ph. Will Brooks). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Exceptionally late, even for the extreme southeast of Virginia, at least two ANHINGAS were continuously recorded throughout November and miraculously into December around Lake Smith and Lake Lawson, mostly from Shell Rd. after first being recorded at this location way back on 22 Sep (ph. Loretta Silvia & Heidi Young). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Though often observed into winter on the Eastern Shore, LITTLE BLUE HERON remains a scarce visitor after October within Virginia Beach, which made an immature present at Kings Grant Lakes from 6-28 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski) a nice surprise, and the only one of its kind known to be in the city after 14 Oct. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
A rare but regular late fall/early winter vagrant to coastal Virginia, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER produced two records of at least three total individuals during November, with one present along the dune line at First Landing SP’s beach on 3 Nov (ph. June McDaniels) and one at Harris Teeter Retention Pond first reported 19 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski & Peggy DeRolf) before two were observed here together from 29 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney) into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
While the species has been recorded successfully over-wintering in the city, WHTIE-EYED VIREO is quite rare after mid-late October, and November produced only a single report this year with one individual photographed at Pleasure House Point NA on 15 Nov (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Always a reminder of the coming winter season, SNOW BUNTINGS showed up this month at two separate locations with two present along the beach/dunes at Back Bay NWR on 10 Nov (ph. Corby Amos & Timothy Blanchard) and another individual at Pleasure House Point NA on 13 Nov (ph. Reuben Rohn). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
It was a banner month for CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in Virginia Beach, with a continuing individual found initially at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 15 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli & Rob Bielawski) turning into two individuals present from 23 Nov (ph. Paul King) into December, and also a new report for an individual at Pleasure House Point NA on 3 Nov (vis. Donna McAdams; vis. Paul King) in addition to a photographic record of one along the HRSD fence line adjacent to Ocean Lakes HS on 7 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
At least one of the two LARK SPARROWS that had been present around the visitor center portion of Back Bay NWR initially on 7 Oct (1, ph. Rob Bielawski; 2, ph. Patricia Scanlon) continued into November, with a single record near the base of the Seaside Trail on 16 Nov (ph. Elena Bersani) and reports popping up again into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Three locations provided records for WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW this month in Virginia Beach, with up to five Dark-lored immatures present at Harris Teeter Retention Pond throughout the month (ph. Corby Amos) after the first individual had been found here back on 9 Oct (ph. Reuben Rohn), as well as continuing reports of an individual around the Raptor Trail at Back Bay NWR found initially 16 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski) and present into December, and lastly, a new report of a single immature at Pleasure House Point NA on 24 Nov (vis. Sean Gallagher & Walter Randall). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Extremely rare in Virginia Beach in recent years, with only a few records over the past decade, a single VESPER SPARROW reported at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 29 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli) caused quite a stir among the local birding community, though unfortunately this individual was not re-found in the coming days/weeks despite exhaustive coverage of the site. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
An incredible fifth species of notable sparrow for Virginia Beach this month, LINCOLN’S SPARROW produced records at three separate locations, with one near the visitor center at Back Bay NWR found 5 Oct (ph. Rob Bielawski & Donna McAdams) reported through 5 Nov (vis. Mike Collins), one found at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 9 Oct (vis. Reuben Rohn) sighted again 12 Nov (vis. Rob Bielawski) and present into December, and an individual found at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 14 Oct (ph. Rob Bielawski) still lingering at the same location as well as a second, previously unknown, individual a half mile away both observed on 5 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
With appropriate habitat being quite scarce along the coast, RUSTY BLACKBIRD is a much more difficult bird to track down in Virginia Beach than it is in lands to the west. This month, only one record for the species occurred, with a small flock numbering at least six was photographed in the flooded forest at Red Wing Park on 25 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski & Peggy DeRolf). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Quite rare after mid-late October, and one of only two unexpected warbler species observed this month in the city, a single CAPE MAY WARBLER made for a nice surprise near the small pond at the visitor center portion of Back Bay NWR on 5 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney) with potentially no other individuals lingering beyond 17 Oct in the city this season. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Though the species can sometimes linger into the first few days of November (as one did at Back Bay NWR this month), a single NORTHERN PARULA found at the Lynnhaven House & Colonial Education Center on 12 Nov (ph. Rob Bielawski) marked a notably late date for this warbler species to still be present in the city. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Exceptionally late at this latitude, a single female BLUE GROSBEAK managed to linger at Harris Teeter Retention Pond through 1 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), with the last individual away from this location within the city reported 19 Oct. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
The only report for the entire state this month, a single female INDIGO BUNTING was sighted on private property at the HRSD Atlantic WWTP off Firefall Drive on 17 Nov (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), marking a remarkably late date for the species in coastal Virginia, and the only individual this season known to be present in the city past 26 Oct. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Though still a rare species, PAINTED BUNTING is one that is certainly present at a higher number of locations within Virginia Beach than is reported publicly. This month only two locations yielded reports, both of female/immature-type birds with one at a private residence in Laurel Manor on 24 Nov (ph. Tommy Maloney) and another at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 28 Nov (vis. Paul King), both of which continued to be observed into December. (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Rounding out the notable observations this month, DICKCISSEL produced not one, but two reports within Virginia Beach, something that doesn’t often happen here in November. A southbound, vocal flyover was reported at Princess Anne WMA Whitehurst Tract on 5 Nov (aud. Rob Bielawski) and another was photographed on the private HRSD Atlantic WWTP property on 17 Nov (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). (Nov 2023 Map of Records).
Be sure to check back next month to see what birders observe in Virginia Beach during December!