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Join us on the First and Third Sunday of each month at 7:00 AM at the parking lot behind the Ranger Station! Thanks to Jane Frigo for providing these reports. For more information, contact Jane (757-873-0721). The morning park walk on April 21, 2013 was COLD and WINDY! Temperatures never got above the mid 50's and blustery winds made it feel much colder, inspite of the clear skies. Another large group of birders turned out to see what new birds may have arrived. Those birders included Felicity Ericson, Andy Hawkins, Stuart Sweetman, Cathy Bond, Eileen O'Toole, Mike Lowry, Judy Remsberg, Marc Nichols, Tom Charlock, Angela Herring, Becky Holliday, Jane Frigo, Phil and Angelina Bogart, Lee and Meredith Bell, John and Marilyn Adair and first timers Lew Dillon, Terry Moore, Robert Locher, Diane Richmond, Bonnie Baffer, Caroline Herath, Margaret Greene, and Ned and Rebecca Rose. Most winter ducks had departed but an American Coot and Pied-billed Grebe were seen. A beautiful pair of Wood Ducks were also observed. Although the Great Horned Owl could not be found, an excellent sighting of the elusive Barred Owl was enjoyed by those making it all the way to the Swamp Bridge. First of season spottings included Green Heron, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Parula, Prothonotary Warbler, Chimney Swift, Red-eyed Vireo and an Indigo Bunting was heard. A complete listing of the 61 species identified follows.
Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Newport News Park began with temperatures in the low 40's but rising to near 70! There was a little fog over the water but that cleared quickly. A large group, including regulars and several first timers, came to enjoy the morning and included: Becky Holliday, Geoff Giles, Susan Crockett, Bettye Fields, Andy Hawkins, Angie Herring, Brenda Gervais, Nick Flanders, Sandy Dicarlo, Rock Moelsein, Phyllis Roth, Mike Lowry, Marc Nichols, Tom Charlock, Elisa Enders, Jane Frigo, Bruce Glendening, Steve and Kim Grimes, Richard and Barbara Hudgins, Virginia and George Boyles, Phil and Angelina Bogart, Marilyn and John Adair, Charm and Pete Peterman. 68 species were identified for the morning along with a Mud Turtle and a Northern Watersnake. Spottings of interest included a Black-crowned Night Heron in breeding plumage, a flyover Common Merganser, a Wood Duck with ducklings, a lone Bonapart's Gull, two Marsh Wrens at the Swamp Bridge, a FOS Yellow-throated Warbler and a FOS Purple Martin. The group was able to locate the elusive Great Horned Owl which is always a treat. A complete species list follows.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Seventeen people came out to spend at least a part of the March 17, 2013, holiday searching for birds. Those participating included Catherine Bond, Angie Herring, Stuart Sweetman, Bettye Fields, Geoff Giles, Marc Nichols, John Adair, Michelle Shinn, Jason Strickland, Jane Frigo, Phil and Angelina Bogart, Barbara and Richard Hudgins, and newcomers Brenda Gervais, Marie Smith and Jeannie Macomber. The weather was again miserable. Temperatures never made it out of the 40's and skies were overcast with threatening rain. Still the group was able to tally an impressive 67 species for the morning which included a walk to the Swamp Bridge. The Great Horned Owl was a target bird that was only heard along with the EasternTowhee. Seven species of woodpeckers were seen and seven species of sparrows. Tree Swallows were spotted but the Rough-winged and Barn Swallows seen Saturday could not be found. A complete species list follows.
The weather for the March 3, 2013 park walk was again COLD and WINDY! In spite of the uncomfortable weather, 17 hardy birders showed up to explore the park. They included Geoff Giles, Marc Nichols, Richard Hudgins, Dave Youker, Tom Charlock, Angie Herring, Judy Remsberg, Nancy Gruttman-Tyler, Rock Moelsein, Michelle Shinn, Jane Frigo, George and Virginia Boyles, Marilyn and John Adair and first timers Joanne Sheffield and Becky Holliday. A special "thank you" goes to Marilyn Adair for sweetening the morning with a box of donut holes! Again the group skipped the walk to the Swamp Bridge but were still able to identify 59 species. Ducks were abundant and included sightings of Wood Duck, Wigeon, Lesser Scaup and a single American Coot. The last bird of the morning was a single Tree Swallow! The group also got a FOS Osprey! Thanks to the keen eye of Marc Nichols, the group was able to view the Great Horned Owl at the Arboretum. A complete species list follows.
February 17, 2013 was clear but frigid and windy! Bridges and walkways were covered with a thin layer of ice. Elisa Enders, Mike Lowry, Phyllis Roth, Richard Hudgins, John Adair, Nancy Gruttman-Tyler, Phil Bogart, Michelle Shinn, Jane Frigo, Adam Bollinger, Jason Strickland and Jason's father (and newcomer) Lew Strickland braved at least part of the morning attempting to identify as many winter birds as possible. By unanimous vote the group agreed to skip the walk to the Swamp Bridge and ended the park walk around 11 AM. Both adult and immature Bald Eagles were seen and ducks included Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Ring-necked and Hoodies. No Tundra Swans were seen. Red-headed Woodpeckers were again busy. A total of 45 species were recorded. A special "thank you" goes out to Elisa and Nancy for tallying and submitting species numbers for the Great Backyard Bird Count. A complete species list follows.
February 3, 2013 began with temperatures in the upper 30's, skies overcast and winds calm. Fred Blystone, Eileen O"Toole, Bryan Barmore,Tom Charlock, Bill Ferris, Mike Lowry, Stuart Sweetman, Ernie Miller, Rock Moeslein, Phyllis Roth, Geoff Giles and Jane Frigo braved the chilly morning to identify 60 species. The rising sun gave a spectacular glow to a soaring Bald Eagle as well as illuminating the trees bordering the reservoir. Ring-necked Ducks were in abundance. A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks at the stable also presented a memorable sighting. All expected woodpeckers were identified as well as nuthatches. Both Tundra and Mute Swans were seen. Misses included owls and American Goldfinches. The Virginia Rail was heard again at the Swamp Bridge. A complete species list follows.
Skies were clear, winds were calm and the temperature was a cool 43 degrees when the January 20, 2013 Newport News Park bird walk began. Fred Blystone, Felicity Ericson, John Adair, Nancy Gruttman-Tyler, Tom Charlock, Jason Strickland, Jane Frigo, Angie Herring, George and Virginia Boyles and newcomers Linda and Frank Schaff, Kay Williamson, Rita Bratteng and Barry Shumate participated. Several Bald Eagles of various ages were spotted over the reservoir. Ducks identified included Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, American Coot and Pied-billed Grebe. No one spotted the Redhead seen on the previous walk. Two species that were extremely cooperative in providing lengthy views were a Winter Wren and a Hermit Thrush. The group elected to make a trip to the Swamp Bridge early in the morning to see if the Virginia Rail was still present. The group was not successful, however. The consensus was that the water level was too high as a result of the previous week's rain. A last minute stop at the Arboretum yielded views of Killdeer, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Red-tailed Hawk. No Eastern Bluebirds were spotted, probably because of the adjusted route. The total number for the morning was 46 species. A complete species list follows.
Happy New Year 2013! The morning of January 6 began with temperatures in the low 40's and showers ending. Marilyn and John Adair, Virginia and George Boyles, Miles and Spencer Quirion, Jason Strickland, Adam Bollinger, Dave Youker, Nancy Gruttman-Tyler, Geoff Giles, Fred Blystone, Barbara Hudgins and Jane Frigo, with brief visits from Michelle Shinn and Phil Bogart, spent the morning identifying 57 species. A FOS Redhead duck was spotted among a group of Ring-necked ducks. Three Virginia Rails were heard at the Swamp Bridge. Woodpeckers were well represented as were nuthatches and Brown Creepers. No Tundra Swans and only one Mute Swan was spotted. Sadly, no owls were seen and it appears the Eastern Screech Owl nest discovered last month has been destroyed. Other wildlife observed included a busy beaver and an unusual red-tailed squirrel! A complete species list follows.
2012, All Reports for January - December Walks 2011, All Reports for January - December Walks 2010, All Reports for January - December Walks 2009, All Reports for January - December Walks 2008, All Reports for January - December Walks |
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