October 2025
/October can be quite a thrilling month in Virginia Beach, with peak passerine migration typically falling across the Sep/Oct boundary, with shorebirds moving through in big numbers and with waterfowl and other wintering species beginning to arrive prior to month’s end. Strong winds due to a long-lasting nor’easter throughout the first half of the month likely contributed to a lower-than-average number of passerine species being logged across the city. These strong northeasterly winds most likely helped to steer many of the remaining southbound migrants inland or simply gave them a perfect tailwind with which to cruise past us overhead without being detected, while also making it difficult to find birds in vegetation on windy days. The West Dike at Back Bay NWR remained open through the end of the month, which is typical before the annual closure of the impoundments/dikes on 1 Nov each year. This provided plenty of excitement since the C Pool water levels were perfect for shorebird habitat to form and some exciting rarities and late occurrences for regular/expected species occurred as a result. All told, there was 24 species meeting the current Notable Observations Criteria observed in Virginia Beach during October, with the occurrence of each of these described in greater detail within this entry.
Both rare and exceptionally early for Virginia Beach, a single CACKLING GOOSE observed over the C Pool at Back Bay NWR on 18 Oct (ph. Rob Bielawski) set a new early fall arrival date for this species in the city. This individual was embedded within a small flock of 17 Canada Geese as they moved northwest towards Back Bay (proper) and then appeared to move northwards once crossing over the West Dike. A couple of days prior, on 16 Oct, another individual was detected (ph. Baxter Beamer) in northbound flight past the Sunset Beach Morning Flight Count in Northampton County, also with a small flock of Canada Geese (though a slightly different number of them). However, comparison of the photographs seems to show a different pattern with the flight feathers, so it is likely these are two separate individuals even though both are exceedingly early. (Map of Records | Media)
Extremely early for a fall arrival to the city, an adult male REDHEAD passed by the Little Island Park pier headed southbound on the morning of 30 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli). This marks the earliest record for the species in Virginia Beach based on eBird reporting, and it is also the first record in any October here making it a new “month tick” for Virginia Beach. The 10-year average arrival date for Redhead here is around 15 Nov, though we’ve had a few records in early Nov over the past few years. A greater amount of time spent seawatching along our coast during the latter half of October could potentially lead to more records of this species, but as it stands, this is our earliest thus far! (Map of Records | Media)
A first species record for the entire calendar year in Virginia Beach, a single AMERICAN AVOCET was found at Rudee Inlet on 20 Oct (ph. Suzanne Phelps)! American Avocets are recorded here more often during the fall season than any other time of year, and while hundreds of them winter at Craney Island DMMA in nearby Portsmouth, VA, we’re lucky if we get a couple of records in a given fall season (or even in the full calendar year). To back up that claim, over the prior 10-year period (2015–24), we had 20 records for this species during the 11 Jul–19 Nov timeframe that they occurred as fall transients, so on average, about two records per fall season in the city. The observer’s name here might sound familiar to some, and it’s worth mentioning that Suzanne graciously hosted a horde of folks from 20 Nov–1 Dec 2022 when a Varied Thrush spent a few days foraging around her yard in the Lakeview Park neighborhood. So she is certainly no stranger to rare bird sightings in Virginia Beach at this point! (Map of Records | Media)
Continuing their presence at Back Bay NWR this month, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS provided some excellent views to folks who took the time to walk the West Dike along C Pool through 30 Oct. Initially detected this season at the refuge with a single individual present on the southern portion of C Pool beginning on 4 Sep (ph. Arun Bose), heavy rains around mid-Sep that flooded the impoundment put an end to reports there by 12 Sep. Though, one individual was found a few days later on 17 Sep along the beach (ph. Colin Little) which could have been the individual from C Pool seeking out new foraging grounds, or a different bird altogether. Once water levels again dropped in the impoundments, likely thanks to strong northeasterly winds early in October that dropped the level of Back Bay (proper), appropriate habitat returned and a single individual was heard in overhead flight on 5 Oct (aud. Frederick Atwood). Three individuals were subsequently found on 7 Oct (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels), with a seasonal peak count of five then being reported on 8 Oct (ph. Elena Bersani; ph. Jennifer Martin & Scott Martin). The last time we had such high counts and such a wide range in dates of reports for this species here was in the fall of 2021, when the water levels on C Pool were very similar to this month’s. Unfortunately after 31 Oct, the annual closure of the dikes occurred and public access to C Pool was cutoff, though perhaps the thrice-monthly refuge impoundment surveys will continue to turn up the species into November. (Map of Records | Media)
As with the American Golden-Plovers discussed in detail above, reports for HUDSONIAN GODWIT continued into October, after the first individual for the season was found, and stayed for a very brief few minutes, on Back Bay NWR’s C Pool way back on 31 Aug (ph. Arun Bose). While what was likely a different individual was detected 7 Sep following immediately behind the passage of a cold front in high-speed southbound flight near the visitor center (ph. Rob Bielawski) and then observed landing on the C Pool a short while later (ph. Clyde Blum), no other reports for the species occurred until 5 Oct. During Oct, the initial species report was again of a single individual on C Pool (ph. Matthew Herron), which, given the almost-month’s gap in reports was almost certain to be a different individual than either of the reports in September. This individual continued to be reported daily (minus 6 Oct) through 11 Oct. A week later on 18 Oct, a group of three Hudsonian Godwits was viewed in northbound flight over the West Dike about midway up C Pool’s western flank (ph. Rob Bielawski, ph. Anonymous, ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). The group continued flying towards the waterfowl blind until vanishing from view, only to return in speedy, southbound flight a few minutes later without setting down anywhere and simply continuing out of sight. But, that wasn’t the last of the godwits for Back Bay, as an individual was reported 20 Oct again on C Pool (ph. Reuben Rohn), with presence again noted the following day. Again on 27 Oct, another was reported (vis. Alan Wingfield) and on 30 Oct, just before the dike closure, two were recorded on C Pool (ph. Paul King). It’s very difficult to assess just how many different individuals may have occurred here this month, with six or seven feeling like a reasonable guess but certainly at least three. We haven’t seen reports of this volume at the refuge in at least a decade, and probably quite a bit longer, making this a month to remember for Hudsonian Godwits! (Map of Records | Media)
A rare but probably regular transient over Virginia Beach in the latter half of the fall season (and sometimes into winter), LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER is a species that often goes undetected due to either lack of appropriate habitat while the species is moving through the region, or simply by being difficult to confidently differentiate from transient Short-billed Dowitchers in non-breeding / basic plumage. No many how well-scrutinized eBird reports are by the review process, the simple fact remains that some reports of Long-billed Dowitchers probably pertain to Short-billeds, and vice versa. That said, we did have a range of reports starting 7 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels) running through 30 Oct of anywhere from 1–4 individuals present on C Pool, where the habitat was proper and plenty of photographs appeared to correctly show Long-billed Dowitchers. Generally speaking, this species is much easier to identify in the spring while in breeding / alternate plumage, but individuals in fall tend to show a very bulky build with a point above the middle of the back while postured for feeding / foraging (as opposed to a point at the shoulder on Short-billeds). Given most views are very distant at the refuge, this tends to be what most folks look for, though juvenile birds also show unmarked tertials (which are marked on Short-billeds). Any firm records in Virginia Beach are exciting though, and fortunately October did yield some of those! (Map of Records | Media)
A once common, but unfortunately declining transient in Virginia Beach, RED KNOT tends to produce the bulk of its records and also the highest counts in May/June during its northbound, spring migration. Fall migrants are often harder to find here, perhaps because of the curvature of our coastline and the bulk of them staying offshore out of our view. This season, the species began being reported on 16 Jul along the beaches of Back Bay WNR (vis. Paul Pisano), with continued presence of single-digit counts through much of August and September. In October, like several of the species just detailed, Red Knots began showing up on C Pool, which is interesting since they’re almost always seen on the beaches, or in transit over the ocean (more rarely over the bay during tropical cyclones, nor’easters or any storms producing onshore gales during migration). Beginning on 11 Oct (ph. Anonymous, ph. John Cain, ph. Mark Wright & Susan Wright) set up on the impoundment mudflats and persisted well past the normal or average departure date. With the closure of the West Dike after 31 Oct, we might not know the true departure date, but individuals were reported through at least 30 Oct on the C Pool and a great many birders were able to enjoy excellent views through this date. Additionally, there was another late record up at JEB Ft. Story on 27 Oct (ph. Steve Myers), so perhaps others will pop up along the immediate coastline during November (or even into winter as they occasionally occur). (Map of Records | Media)
Generally an uncommon transient during the fall season in Virginia Beach, STILT SANDPIPER is always a thrilling species to observe, and Back Bay NWR started producing reports for the species with a fly-by near the visitor center on 8 Jul (ph. Baxter Beamer & Will Burgoyne). Continued occurrence on the mudflats at C Pool through the season persisted much later than is typical for Virginia Beach, with the last report of two individuals occurring on 26 Oct (vis. June McDaniels) just prior to the dike closure. Over the prior decade, the rough average date of last fall report occurred on 10 Oct, with only two seasons (2019 & 2017) exceeding this year’s date (29 Oct & 31 Oct, respectively). It’s possible that occurrence at the refuge continues into November, and hopefully the early November iteration of the thrice-monthly refuge survey finds some still lingering in place. Interestingly, there were no other reports of this species in Virginia Beach for the fall season away from the Back Bay/False Cape complex, so for any others to show up elsewhere it’d be quite surprising, but there is always a possibility. (Map of Records | Media)
Capping off what was an incredible month for shorebirds in Virginia Beach, or really an incredible month at Back Bay NWR’s C Pool specifically, a single BAIRD’S SANDPIPER was briefly present on the afternoon of 11 Oct (vis. Baxter Beamer)! Probably equal parts rare here, and difficult to identify at long range, records of Baird’s Sandpiper have been very scarce in Virginia Beach over the past decade even though the species certainly passes over us in small numbers every fall. Finding them on the ground in appropriate habitat, at the right time of season and then being able to get clear enough views to identify them properly has been a bit of a needle in a haystack scenario. From 2015–24 for instance, we had only two city records with one present on the beach at Back Bay NWR from 1–2 Sep 2018 (ph. David Clark) and one on the C Pool from 30–31 Aug 2021 (vis. Andrew Baldelli). For additional perspective, this species typically produces only a few records across the entire state of Virginia in any given fall season (there were about 6 this season), so to get one in Virginia Beach again after a 4-year hiatus was very exciting, even if this individual’s stay was far too brief! (Map of Records | Media)
Rare but regularly observed during the fall season along our coastline, there were at least two reports for PARASITIC JAEGERS during October. Two individuals were observed on two separate occasions, likely totaling four different birds, from the Little Island Park pier on 12 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli) and 30 Oct (also vis. Andrew Baldelli). October and November tend to be when the peak passage for this species occurs in Virginia Beach though we have records ranging from August into the winter season along our immediate coastline. This season so far, only one other positively identified individual has been reported, with one viewed from Rudee Inlet on 9 Sep (vis. Ron Furnish). Additionally, an unidentified “Jaeger sp.”, likely to also have been a Parasitic rather than a Long-tailed or Pomarine, was photographed from the beach at Little Island Park as Hurricane Erin churned over the Atlantic Ocean to our east on 20 Aug (ph. Rob Bielawski). (Map of Records | Media)
It has become a regular species here from spring through fall over the past decade, but on average ANHINGAS have departed the region for warmer locales by around 15 Sep over the past 10 years. During October, there was only one record for this species in Virginia, with a single individual recorded over Stumpy Lake NA on 19 Oct (ph. John Cain). Only one other record of this species occurred in the state of Virginia during October, in nearby Norfolk, with no other records north of here along the East Coast. During the winter season of 2023–24, which was an exceptionally warm season here, at least two Anhingas successfully over-wintered on the shores of Lake Lawson in the northern portion of the city. This marked the most northerly over-wintering record ever documented along the East Coast and the first such record for Virginia. However, at least two attempted the same feat during this past winter season (2024–25) and were not as fortunate, with extreme cold snaps freezing all the freshwater bodies in the city and with several snowfall events putting an end to reports before the close of January. That said, this species can sometimes linger later than normal and nowadays may attempt to winter in the city, so it is worth continuing to follow up on these late fall reports to see if another wintering attempt is indeed undertaken. (Map of Records | Media)
Somewhat similar to Anhinga in terms of temporal distribution in Virginia Beach, LEAST BITTERN is another regular breeder in Virginia Beach, typically present from about 15 Apr through 10 Sep based on the 2015–24 averages. This month, we had one sight report at Back Bay NWR on 10 Oct (vis. Nick Sykes), a full month late of the average last sighting date. Now, this species has also been known to linger late on occasion, and some individuals clearly attempt over-wintering around the marshes that line Back Bay’s shores. Over the past few years, we’ve seen evidence of this during freeze-up events and snow storms which have forced individuals of this species out of their marshy habitats to wherever open water might exist where they can drink and forage for food. For examples, one individual was recorded at the Little Island Park kayak launch (west of Sandpiper Road) on 15 Jan 2017, a pair were at this same location from 6–18 Jan 2018 (though one did not survive this full date range) and a single individual was there again from 25–26 Jan 2025. Additionally, we had a second such occurrence this calendar year when an individual stayed along Horn Point Road from 24 Jan–24 Feb though with a gap in between when warmer weather occurred. All that said, this is another species that should be looked for beyond September each year, but one that is very difficult to find until the weather forces them out of their preferred habitat. (Map of Records | Media)
A tricky species to actually put eyes on in Virginia Beach, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN is a fairly rare but also fairly regular transient and winter visitor to the city. This month, we had only a single occurrence documented when an individual was spotted from Pleasure House Point NA on 23 Oct (ph. Kai Dickson & Laura Dickson) and was likely the same individual seen a short while later over Virginia Beach Boulevard near Little Neck (vis. Donna McAdams), where even a Brown Pelican would be an unusual sight. Over the prior 10-year period, our earliest arriving American White Pelicans were logged on 4 Oct, so we’re definitely in the time period when they should be passing over the city. However, being in the right place at the right time is always the struggle with this species. Undoubtedly there will be more reports as we head into November and then the winter season, and in a typical fall–spring cycle larger flocks are infrequently observed, some along the immediate coastline and sometime inland. It’ll be interesting to see when and where the next record occurs, and it was exciting to see a record get input for October. (Map of Records | Media)
Based on the total number of prior records in Virginia Beach, a GRAY KINGBIRD was certainly the rarest find within the city this October! A single individual was discovered foraging from a power line and the adjacent vegetation of Back Bay NWR’s septic field (the area straight north of the visitor center to the east of the parking lot) during the morning hours of 24 Oct (vis. Joanne Hutton & ph. Donna McAdams). This individual did not stay in place for long as it vanished while flying low to the north from the kayak launch area west of the parking lot just after 12:30 PM and was unfortunately not re-found. Based solely on eBird reporting, this is only the third record for Virginia Beach, with individuals at a private residence in Chic’s Beach on 18 Oct 2016 (ph. Timothy Barry) and another at the same spot as the current bird at Back Bay NWR found 21 Sep 2019 (ph. Betty Sue Cohen) and seen again 25 Sep 2019 nearby. Coastal Virginia has a few more records overall, one in Chesapeake during the winter a few years back springs to mind, and others have been found in late fall in Northampton County as well, but this is still an exceedingly rare species. Interestingly, there was an apparent larger-scale movement of Gray Kingbirds well north of their typical range at the time of the 2025 record, with others showing up within 24 hours in both Ontario and Quebec. The American Birding Association put an article together about this movement, which can be found here, https://www.aba.org/vagrant-gray-kingbird-season-heats-up/, for anyone interested. (Map of Records | Media)
Uncommon even during their expected fall–spring time frame in Virginia Beach, HORNED LARKS can be quite difficult to find in the city, especially away from the agricultural fields in the southern parts of Pungo. This month, we had a very early fall arrival report when one was seen in flight along the beach at First Landing SP on 31 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli). The prior 10-year period provided an average fall arrival date in Virginia Beach for Horned Larks of 20 Nov, looking only at records that occurred away from known breeders (which are quite rare here) in each year. This makes the October record about three weeks on the early side in terms of our actual records, but probably in line with when the species should be moving. (Map of Records | Media)
A bit peculiar given it’s higher report frequency farther inland during the fall season, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH produced only a single record here this season, with a single individual at Stumpy Lake NA on 11 Oct (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). This species is rarely reported in Virginia Beach outside of a narrow spring migration in May, and fall records for whatever reason have just been few and far between. Listening for overhead flight calls during the nighttime hours would probably lead us to a higher number of reports, but the species has truly proven to be tough to find at ground level over the past few years when they aren’t singing (meaning, outside of springtime). Though, for some perspective there was only a few records in Northampton County this season as well, and with the volume of birds that turn up there between the Sunset Beach Morning Flight Count, the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch and the plethora of birders frequenting locales around the lower half of the county it bodes quite well for us that we had even a single record! (Map of Records | Media)
Perhaps record-early for the species to arrive in Virginia Beach, a SNOW BUNTING was found foraging on the C Pool mudflats at Back Bay NWR on 26 Oct (ph. Anonymous). Always rare, and always exciting to see in the city, this is our first eBird record for the month of October, with typical arrival more in line with 20 Nov over the past decade. In fact, this is also the earliest photographic record for the state of Virginia that has been input to eBird. Though, as a caveat, some digging through Virginia Birds or North American Birds journals might yield others at or before this date. Regardless, this was an exceptional find, and all the more exciting given the bird showed up in a managed impoundments rather than being observed, say, in flight along the beach somewhere, or actually foraging on a beach or in the dune grasses along the coast where they’re typically found. With such an early occurrence, one hopes this will be a harbinger of additional individuals or small flocks as we head into November and then into the winter season. (Map of Records | Media)
Rare but regular each fall in Virginia Beach, CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS put on a good showing this month, and this season thus far overall. During September, one individual had been found around the visitor center at Back Bay NWR on 19 Sep (vis. Arun Bose, ph. Mike Collins) and in October, either this same individual was re-found nearby or a new bird popped up starting on 5 Oct (vis. Dianne Hinch, ph. John Cain, et al.). Reports for the species continued in the vicinity of the visitor center throughout the month up until at least 25 Oct, with two individuals observed in simultaneous view directly behind the visitor center on 18 Oct (ph. Rob Bielawski). Away from Back Bay, there was another record for initially a single Clay-colored Sparrow at Harris Teeter Retention Pond on 19 Oct (ph. Reuben Rohn), with two present on 26 Oct (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels, ph. Matt Robertson). The hedges that line the chain linked fence along the south side of the western retention pond have held Clay-colored Sparrow each fall and/or winter season since 2020 when this location became a popular stop for birders. Though the adjacent agricultural field to the south has grown up with taller vegetation than in prior winters, hopefully this and other sparrow species will continue to be found next month. (Map of Records | Media)
Similar to Clay-colored Sparrow in terms of expectedness across coastal Virginia in the fall season, LARK SPARROW is another rare but regular transient through the region. Reports for this species began with a single individual on 13 Aug (the earliest arrival date since 10 Aug 2018) along the West Dike near C Pool at Back Bay NWR (ph. Steve Myers), with numbers ballooning in the same general area to a state high count of four on 4 Sep (ph. Arun Bose). This small flock (which sounds crazy to type when describing Lark Sparrows in Virginia) seemed to vanish after about 11 Sep. With no reports in the ensuing few weeks, Back Bay NWR finally notched another record on 17 Oct when one showed up in the septic field north of the visitor center (ph. Paul King). Additionally, another individual was found on the Princess Anne Athletic Complex property near the Sportsplex on 7 Oct (ph. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). Unfortunately, each appeared to be a one-day wonder, though there is always a chance we find a late lingerer or over-wintering individual in the next couple of months, the bulk of Lark Sparrow movements tends to be in Aug–Oct here. (Map of Records | Media)
Probably the most expected of our rarer sparrow species, but a species that we will never take for granted here in Virginia Beach, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS began being reported with a single immature behind the Back Bay NWR visitor center on 19 Oct (ph. Tommy Maloney). This individual, of the “Dark-lored” race that is typical across Virginia, stayed in place for a couple of days and was last reported 21 Oct at the same spot. Over at Harris Teeter Retention Pond, which has been the city’s stronghold for this species over the past few years, one immature was first noted on 22 Oct (ph. Steve Myers), with two immatures then reported starting on 23 Oct (vis. Reuben Rohn) and continuing at least through 26 Oct. Thhis has been the only reliable wintering location for White-crowned Sparrow in Virginia Beach since they first were documented here in Dec 2019 and have returned every winter since in varying numbers, occasionally with “Gambel’s” race individuals present (a western form which is quite rare on the East Coast). Lastly, a third location yielded a record on 25 Oct when an immature was found near the Taste (restaurant) along the Shore Drive Bike Path (ph. Rob Bielawski) in some brush piles formed from the adjacent golf course’s maintenance. While the Harris Teeter birds are likely to continue into November, it’ll be interesting to see if any other locations hold the species next month or during this coming winter season. (Map of Records | Media)
The highlight of October in terms of sparrows found within Virginia Beach, a VESPER SPARROW was found along the Back Bay NWR’s Raptor Trail near the junction with the Sunset Point boardwalk on 5 Oct (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers)! While this species is likely to transit the city each spring and fall, actual records have been very difficult to come by in recent years. For some perspective, from 2015–24, we had a total of six records, all of individuals, with five during the fall seasons (ranging 15 Oct–29 Nov) and only one spring season occurrence. This species was missed altogether during the 2024 calendar year in Virginia Beach, with this being the first known occurrence in nearly two years going back to 29 Nov 2013 when one was reported at Harris Teeter Retention Pond. Back to the current individual though, it was seen during the early morning, then vanished while many searched for it. Later in the morning, either the same bird, or potentially even a different individual was found foraging in the septic field north of the visitor center and viewed by many observers as it foraged around the edges of the parking lot’s curb line towards the Kuralt Trail. Sadly, there were no further reports after this date, but given the species tendency to winter in Northampton County, which is north of us, clearly Vesper Sparrows are capable of handling our late fall and winter weather. Perhaps we’ll see another report before the year ends, and if not, they’re in early migrant in spring that should be looked for when mid-March rolls around. (Map of Records | Media)
Another rare sparrow species (and a personal favorite of the author’s) graced us with several records this October, as LINCOLN’S SPARROWS were logged at three separate locations this month. Perhaps slightly more expected than Lark or Clay-colored Sparrow here in southeast Virginia during the fall season, this is still a very tricky species to find, and an even trickier species to get nice views of given their secretive nature. The season’s first Lincoln’s Sparrow record occurred at Back Bay NWR on 29 Sep (ph. Anonymous), though the specific location of the find isn’t noted. Another report about midway down the Raptor Trail occurred on 5 Oct (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers) and one wonders if this could have been the same individual / same location, or if it was just completely unrelated. Later in the month, one was found behind the visitor center on 19 Oct (ph. Tommy Maloney) and this individual seemed to stick around that location through at least 25 Oct. Elsewhere in Virginia Beach, another Lincoln’s Sparrow was found along the new Three Oaks Trail in what is generally considered part of the Harris Teeter Retention Pond hotspot area on 17 Oct (vis. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty), with reports there continuing through at least 23 Oct. In recent years, this has become a pretty reliable spot for the species, and every October it’s wise to search here for sparrows and warblers in general. Lastly, another Lincoln’s Sparrow was found at the Virginia Beach National GC maintenance area off Princess Anne Road on 26 Oct (vis. Andrew Baldelli & June McDaniels). With a couple of handfuls of over-wintering records in Virginia Beach over the last decade, Lincoln’s Sparrow is always a bird to hope for heading later into the season. (Map of Records | Media)
With the first half of the month largely dominated by strong northeast winds, warblers were incredibly difficult to come by in Virginia Beach after September’s close. The only truly notable warbler occurrence this month did make for an excellent surprise though, with an adult male HOODED WARBLER found at a private residence in Hunt Club Forest on 2 Oct, and then recorded again the following day, 3 Oct (ph. Karen Beatty & Tom Beatty). An uncommon spring transient in Virginia Beach, Hooded Warbler is one warbler species (along the Worm-eating and Yellow-throated) that are regular in spring migration but then very difficult to find in the city after May despite the fact that all three species breed in neighboring Chesapeake and all three species should be regular transients through the region in fall. However, fall transients of this species are reported very infrequently along the coast of Virginia, even in lower Northampton County, and it seems that either they leave areas early enough to avoid the later-season northwest winds that would steer them towards the coast in migration, or they’re just cryptic enough that they go unnoticed or find habitat that isn’t thoroughly checked at the right time. Certainly, birders are out searching for warblers here all throughout September & October, yet our report frequency is still low for this species. This fall in Virginia Beach for instance, there were only two other records (also adult males) with one at Back Bay NWR north of the waterfowl blind on 11 Sep and one at False Cape SP on 14 Sep, making this a pretty solid season for Hooded Warbler. This October occurrence would be considered quite late even in counties west of here where the species does get seen more frequently, but in Virginia Beach it is both late and quite rare. (Map of Records | Media)
The fall season is the best time of the year to find DICKCISSELS along the coast of Virginia, and this season proved to be excellent for the species, particularly at Back Bay NWR. Most frequently observed via their distinctive buzzy flight calls while passing high overhead in the mornings following nocturnal migration movements, Dickcissels began to be reported at the refuge on 19 Sep (aud. Baxter Beamer) and continued to be logged here through 18 Oct with several individuals photographed at ground level, such as two on 15 Oct (ph. Paul King) but with many simply heard passing by in flight. Away from the refuge, we had only one other record, though this is quite typical in Virginia Beach since they’re just more likely to be concentrated along the immediate coast at places like Back Bay NWR. Harris Teeter Retention Pond accounted for the other record, with two individuals present there on 22 Oct (ph. Amy Myers & Steve Myers). Interestingly, we do have records for this species in all four seasons in Virginia Beach, with fall simply being the most expected time of occurrence, but wintering individuals have been observed previously so this is yet another species to keep in mind as the calendar year moves closer to the end! (Map of Records | Media)
Of course, there was plenty of other exciting species seen this month that just didn’t meet the Notable Observations Criteria. In total, 207 species produced accepted records in eBird for the city, 145 of which were species that had been recorded every October throughout the prior decade (2015–2024), and 62 of which were recorded less than annually over that span purely during the month of October. We ended up above the prior 10-year average value of 200 species recorded during Octobers (the prior 10-year median value was 201, for those who like to compare medians instead of averages). The prior decade of Octobers ranged from a low of 181 species in 2015 up to a high of 216 species in 2020 (as the bar graphs above indicate). Clearly, any monthly iteration can vary depending on the weather, and a lot of other factors. Shorebirds produced the highest total (26 species) for that group compared to the prior 10-year Octobers mark of 25 (2019, 2021 & 2022), with notable rarities like Baird’s Sandpiper, American Avocet, Hudsonian Godwit, Long-billed Dowitcher, American Golden-Plover, and quite a few late lingering species bolstering the total. Waders tied the high mark of 13 species (2017, 2021 & 2024) and sparrows (15 species) also tied the prior 10-year Octobers high mark set also in 2015 & 2023.
This concludes Birding Virginia Beach’s October 2025 Journal entry. Please be sure to check back next month to see what birders will have observed in Virginia Beach during November!
References:
Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bonney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling. 2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation network in the biological sciences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292.