Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Newport News City Park
Join us on the First and Third Sunday of each month at 7:00 AM at Newport News Park.
Meet us in the parking lot behind the Ranger Station!
Thanks to Jane Frigo for providing these reports. For more information, contact Jane (757-873-0721).
2023 Bird Walks Summary
May 7, 2023
The weather on May 7, 2023 was almost perfect. Skies were clear and the temperature rose from the 60's to the 80's. Ten people turned out to enjoy the morning and were able to identify 62 species over the morning. Those participating were Kate Schaller, Dianne Snyder, June Hartzler, Gary Wright, Marc Nichols, Sue Tomlin, Jane Frigo, John and Marilyn Adair and newcomer Kim Amaya. The morning began with a great sighting of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo! Shortly after that, Wood Ducks were spotted. Great Crested Flycatchers were calling along with Northern Parula. At the first bridge, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers flitted in the trees. While trying to catch a good look at the Gnatcatchers, a spectacular male Baltimore Oriole was spotted. Prothonotary Warblers were seen along with Common Yellowthroats. A Magnolia Warbler was spotted among the many Yellow-rumped Warblers. Gray Catbirds, Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Buntings were seen. Both male and female Summer Tanagers were observed. The elusive Blackpoll Warbler had arrived for a brief stopover on his long migration journey, Near Swamp Point both a Louisiana Waterthrush and Barred Owl were found. And at the Swamp Bridge the group watched a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher feed his nestlings! Another rare sighting, although brief, was a Chat! A complete species list follows.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Laughing Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker*
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Eastern Towhee*
Yellow-breasted Chat
Baltimore Oriole
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Prothonotary Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula*
Magnolia Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler*
Pine Warbler*
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
April 16, 2023
Migration is beginning and birders are ready to spot the new arrivals! 19 people turned out to see what the beautiful day brought. Those participating were Dianne Snyder, Marc Nichols, Bill Boeh, David Yeager, Cindy Schulz, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacque van Montfranz, Lee Morris, Todd Trousdell, Sue Tomlin, Melissa Freudenberg, Tom Charlock, Heidi Young, Hannah Montalvo, Jane Frigo, Beata and Chip Whitehead and newcomers David Karlson and Angier Brock. The group decided to make the 2 mile White Oak Trail walk. They were able to identify 11 FOS (first of season) birds. Those birds were Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler and Summer Tanager. A total of 67 species were identified during the entire morning. The walk was tiring but well worth it. A complete species list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/116366
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Prothonotary Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Summer Tanager
Northern Cardinal
April 2, 2023
What a beautiful day for a bird walk. April 2, 2023 was chilly, temperatures beginning in the 40's, but skies were clear and winds not too bad. Pete Peterman, Marc Nichols, Dianne Snyder, Bill Boeh, David Yeager, Stuart Sweetman, Sue Tomlin, Jane Frigo, Beata and Chip Whitehead and Marilyn and John Adair were able to identify 62 species. FOS--first of season-- birds were Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-throated Warbler. A lone Bufflehead hen was spotted and only a few Gadwall remained. Gulls and terns seemed to make up for the lack of ducks with Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull and a surprise Bonaparte's Gull along with both Royal and Caspian Terns being seen. Both Great Blue Heron and Great Egret were seen, as expected, but on the return walk from the Swamp Bridge a Snowy Egret was spotted among the waders. Woodpeckers made a good showing, with the exception of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were seen, but not Golden-crowned Kinglets. All three nuthatches were identified. A complete species list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/116365
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Bufflehead
Mourning Dove
Bonaparte's Gull
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Great Horned Owl*
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch*
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
Carolina Wren
European Starling
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush*
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Common Yellowthroat
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Northern Cardinal
March 19, 2023
The March 19, 2023 bird walk was the first since the return to Daylight Savings Time. Since sunrise wasn't until 7:11 AM, skies were just beginning to lighten. The weather was cold (40's), skies clear, but winds gusty. The only participants in the morning were Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo and Jane Frigo. Even with such a small group, they were able to identify 58 species during the morning. Ducks were still around and included Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon and Hooded Merganser. Regretfully, no Ring-necked Ducks were seen. Pied-billed Grebes were spotted and two Wood Ducks flew over, Great Egrets were still present with one male sporting a beautiful breeding plumage cape! All seven woodpecker species were seen. Most winter residents were located including Brown Creeper, both Kinglets and a Hermit Thrush, but no Red-breasted Nuthatch or Fox Sparrow were found. The group FINALLY found a House Finch. Hopes are high that some Spring migrants and Summer residents may be in by the first walk in April. A complete species list follows.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Mourning Dove
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker*
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
March 4, 2023
March always brings challenges for our first Sunday bird walk. The All City Marathon is scheduled for that date and makes it impossible to get into the park. To adjust, the bird walk is moved to the Saturday before the race. 16 people attended the Saturday, March 4, 2023 bird walk. Those participating were Kate Schaller, Dianne Snyder, Pete Peterman, Cindy Schulz, Stuart Sweetman, Todd Trousdell, Heidi Young, Rock Moeslein, Marc Nichols, Tom Charlock, Jane Frigo, Beata and Chip Whitehead and Marilyn and John Adair. The weather that day was clear but very windy. White caps could be seen on the water. As on the last walk, Great Egrets were numerous along the shore and in the cove. Ducks too were seen in good numbers. Species included Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard and Hooded Merganser. The first Osprey of the season was spotted. Again, all possible woodpeckers were identified. Other outstanding species included both Kinglets, a Fox Sparrow, Tree Swallows, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch and Rusty Blackbird. Finally, a Chipping Sparrow was seen. Misses were Northern Mockingbird and Virginia Rail. A complete list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/112296
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker*
Pileated Woodpecker*
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch*
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
February 19, 2023
February 19, 2023 was a very productive birding day! The group was able to identify 58 species over the morning and that was with a couple of misses like Black Vulture, Northern Mockingbird, Chipping Sparrow and House Finch. Participants included Bill Boeh, Pete Peterman, John Adair, Cindy Schulz, Heidi Young, Dianne Snyder, Grace Buskirk, June Hartzler, Gary Wright, Marc Nichols, Dave Youker, Sue Tomlin, Hannah Montalvo and Jane Frigo. The morning began with a large group of Great Egrets congregating in the cove by the Ranger parking lot. Ducks, too, were in larger numbers. Hooded Mergansers were in large numbers but also Gadwall. Several Northern Shovelers and American Wigeon were seen along with a couple Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe. All possible Woodpeckers were identified and also all Nuthatches, including Red-breasted. Several sightings of Winter Wrens were enjoyed and several beautiful Fox Sparrows. Another great observation a flock of Rusty Blackbirds foraging in the shallows on the way to the Swamp Bridge. They were picking up wet leaves and flicking them in the air. A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE NEXT WALK-- because of the One City Marathon scheduled for the first Sunday in March, the next walk will be held on SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023. A complete species list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/103920
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Mourning Dove
Virginia Rail *
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker*
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow*
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Tree Swallow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
American Goldfinch*
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
SwampSparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
February 5, 2023
It was cold, but not as bad as the day before when temperatures couldn't get above freezing! Skies were clear and the morning temperature began just above freezing and steadily rose over the morning. John and Marilyn Adair, Dianne Snyder, Bill Boeh, Stuart Sweetman, Rory Johnson, Cindy Shultz, Sue Tomlin, Jane Frigo and first timer David Yeager participated in the morning walk and were able to identify 53 species! The cold fronts from the previous week certainly pushed in more ducks! Hooded Mergansers, again, were the dominant species but Gadwall were making headway. Several Northern Shovelers were spotted along with American Wigeon and Ring-necked Ducks. The group talked to some hikers who flushed some Wood Ducks from the water at the Swamp Bridge but they could not be found when the group got there. All seven woodpecker species were seen. Long, long, long trails of blackbirds were enjoyed, and the total number could only be estimated. Adult and immature Bald Eagles were observed along with a Cooper's and Red-tailed Hawk. There were some misses, however. They included Winter Wren, Chipping Sparrow and Fox Sparrow. Another observation, not bird related, was extensive beaver activity around the shoreline near the Ranger station and along the trail to the Swamp Bridge. It was still a great day to be outside with friends. A complete species list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/103918
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Mourning Dove
Carolina Wren
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow*
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
January 15, 2023
Skies on January 15, 2023 were beautiful but the weather was deceiving. The temperature turned cold and failed to rise above the 30's. A stiff wind made it feel like the 20's! Still, 8 people braved the conditions and identified 46 species over the morning---with justified complaining. Those hardy souls were Stuart Sweetman, John Adair, Marc Nichols, Pete Peterman, Melissa Freudenberg, Jane Frigo and newcomers Sofia Marino and Ashley Shonk. Canada Geese were easy to spot and hear. Other waterfowl included Gadwall, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon and a flyover of Ruddy Ducks. Sadly the Northern Shoveler seen at the last walk could not be located. Many of the birds were sheltering from the cold and wind and were hard to find. A pair of Bald Eagles, however, were enjoying the breezes and playing "tag". A sizable group of blackbirds were foraging in the field. Fox Sparrows were seen near where they were spotted on the last walk. One of the best sightings was of a Red-tailed Hawk perched right over the path. The Red-breasted Nuthatch was located at the Arboretum but no Chipping Sparrows were spotted. In spite of the cold it was still a good day of birding. A species list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/87129
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Mourning Dove
Carolina Wren
Virginia Rail*
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet*
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
January 1, 2023
Happy New Year! 2023 began with a nice group of birders participating in a beautiful day and identifying 55 species over the course of the morning. Those getting a start on their 2023 year list were Marilyn and John Adair, Gary Wright, June Hartzler, Dianne Snyder, Cindy Schulz, Sue Tomlin, Tom Charlock and Jane Frigo. The morning began with heavy fog and damp, bone chilling conditions even though the temperature was in the 50's and winds were calm. As the day progressed and the fog burned off it was simply spectacular! Hooded Mergansers were the dominant duck with Gadwall coming in a close second. The group thought they had 2 Ruddy ducks but closer inspection revealed they were male Hooded Mergansers hunkered down with tails erect. A couple males were performing a toe dance for an uninterested female! One of the best finds was a pair of Northern Shovelers close to shore feeding and later an immature preening. Laughing, Ring-billed and Herring Gulls were seen. Great woodpecker sightings were enjoyed and a pair of Fox Sparrows provided a super photo opportunity. A Purple Finch sighting was also exciting. Several Virginia Rails were heard on the approach to the Swamp Bridge. The previous night's rain must have pushed them farther from the dam. Two of the best birds were seen at the very end of the walk at the Arboretum...a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a Brown Creeper. There were misses however. No Black Vulture was seen and yet another walk without a House Finch! A complete list follows.
The trip report is available through the following link. https://ebird.org/tripreport/87128.
Canada Goose
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Mourning Dove
Carolina Wren
Virginia Rail*
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch*
Brown Creeper
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
Eastern Bluebird
HermitThrush
American Robin
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
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Previous Sunday Walk Reports:
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© 2023 by Hampton Roads Bird Club
Contact: Dave Youker | 757.344.9385 | youkerd@aol.com