Sunday Walks | hamptonroadsbirdclub

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).

2021 Bird Walks Summary

June 6, 2021

It felt like summer on June 6, 2021. The temperature was in the 70's at 7 AM and slowly rose over the morning. 12 people participated in at least some part of the walk. They were Terry Moore, Dave Youker, Dianne Snyder, Stuart Sweetman, Cindy Shulz, Sue Tomlin, Jane Frigo, Ellis and Wendy Maxey, John and Marilyn Adair and first timer Laurie Gardner. The group identified 56 species before calling it quits at noon. No migrants were spotted and even some expected regulars were missed. The Great Horned Owl was back in his usual place by the Tea House. That was an outstanding find. Also a Red-headed Woodpecker was seen. They, too, have been hard to see. A Summer Tanager made an eye-level rest at Swamp Point and gave everyone a close-up look. Another good bird was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. They are often hard to see in the high canopy. The group also made use of Google during the walk to identify a beautiful insect called an ebony jewelwing broadwing damselfly. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Red-shouldered Hawk

Laughing Gull

Royal Tern

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Great Horned Owl

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Acadian Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatcher

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula

Pine Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Blue Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

May 16, 2021

The big migration push seemed to have passed with more winter residents having left and only a few additional summer residents arriving. The weather, too, was transitional with skies partly cloudy and temperatures beginning in the mid forties but climbing to the 70's. Eleven people participated in at least some part of the morning. They were Bill Boeh, Dianne Snyder, Cindy Shulz, Sue Tomlin, Terry Moore, Marc Nichols, Stuart Sweetman, Marilyn Adair, Tresa Bobbitt, Jane Frigo and newcomer Martha Elliott. The group identified 65 species. Several lively discussions took place. One involved thrush species and the other waterthrush species. The most memorable observation took place just before beginning the White Oak Trail. A photographer was busy photographing something on the Constitution Drive side entrance to the bridge. Curiosity got the best of us and the group went to see what had caught his eye It turned out to be a Pileated Woodpecker nest with two nestlings ready to fledge! Observations with binoculars from a respectful distance was a treat. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Spotted Sandpiper

Laughing Gull

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Barred Owl

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern WoodPewee

Acadian Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

White-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Ovenbird

Northern Waterthrush

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula

Blackpoll Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Blue Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

May 2, 2021

Wow! What a day May 2, 2021 was. The weather was perfect and migration was in full swing. The morning group was small with Marc Nichols, Stuart Sweetman, Marilyn Adair, Tom Charlock and Jane Frigo the only participants. However, 80 species were identified which may be a Sunday record! The group did take the White Oak Trail to the Swamp Bridge which added a few species like Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Blue and Barred Owl (heard). One special treat was a pair of Yellow-breasted Chat seen and very much heard at the Discovery Center. A pair of American Redstarts were also seen with the beautiful male making a lengthy show. The return trip from the Swamp Bridge produced views of both Wood Thrush AND Hermit Thrush for a great comparison. The walk ended on another high note. A pair of American Coot was swimming right near the shore and a beautiful pair of Wood Ducks flew in to join them. The walk didn't end until afternoon but the effort was definitely worth it. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Coot

Laughing Gull

Mourning Dove

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Acadian Flycatcher

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

N. Rough-winged Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

Ovenbird

Black-and-white Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Hooded Warbler

American Redstart

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Yellow-breasted Chat

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Blue Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

April 18, 2021

Today was beautiful for bird watching. Temperatures stayed in the 60's, skies were sunny and calm. 63 species were identified. Those participating in the walk were Charm and Pete Peterman, Ellis and Wendy Maxey, Heidi Young, Bill Boeh, Cindy Shulz, Stuart Sweetman, Sue Tomlin, Jane Frigo and newcomer Stacy Faherty. First of season (FOS) arrivals included Green Heron, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Purple Martin, Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Parula, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. The group varied the walk and took the White Oak Trail to the Swamp Bridge. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen constructing a nest. Also a Northern Parula was observed entering a leaf tangle from the bottom. This may also be a nest. Both constructions will be visited on the next walk to see if nesting is successful. By the first bridge a lone male Wood Duck was seen. Hope was that a nesting female may be close by. Although not a bird but still quite interesting was the sight of a HUGE snapping turtle near the Swamp Bridge along with a cottonmouth snake. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Caspian Tern

Royal Tern

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

White-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

SwampSparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Blue Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

April 4, 2021

Today is Easter and what a beautiful morning to be outside and sharing the morning with birders and birds! Hannah Montalvo, Sue Tomlin, Pete Peterman, Marc Nichols, Cindy Shulz, Christiana Wilson, Jane Frigo and John and Marilyn Adair chose to spend the morning together. Hopes were high for spring migrants and summer resident arrivals to be seen. Those noted included Great Egret, Palm Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Royal Tern and Common Yellowthroat. Finally a Red-headed Woodpecker was spotted. Ducks seem to have departed and possibly the Sapsucker and Winter Wren. A Carolina Wren was seen taking advantage of a large trash can a squirrel had chewed into. The pair of wrens were observed carrying nesting material into the can. The lid was removed to expose a partially constructed nest on top of the cans and garbage. Obviously the nest would never survive. Fortunately there were no eggs yet so the hope is the pair will begin again in a more suitable location. 55 species were recorded.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Royal Tern

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

European Starling

Common Yellowthroat

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

American Goldfinch

March 21, 2021

Spring has arrived! March 21, 2021 began with cloudy skies and temperatures in the 40's. A first of season (FOS) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was an exciting discovery and a little earlier than expected. Although several duck species were seen they were in much smaller numbers. Wood Ducks were heard at the Swamp Bridge. Osprey, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk were seen along with all expected woodpecker species with the exception of the elusive Red-headed Woodpecker. All expected winter residents were still around. Although Purple Martins have returned to the area none were seen at the park. Those attending at least some part of the morning walk included Heidi Young, Tresa Bobbitt, Pete Peterman, Bill Boeh, Cindy Shulz, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacque van Montfrans, Shawn Dash, Sue Tomlin and Jane Frigo. 61 species were identified.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Cooper's Hawk

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Winter Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021 began with clear skies and the temperature in the 30's. Those participating in the walk included Heidi Young, Pete Peterman, Bill Boeh, Stuart Sweetman, Cathy Bond, Lisa Billow, Jane Frigo, and John and Marilyn Adair. During the morning 52 species were identified. Ducks were well represented in variety if not number. A first of season (FOS) Osprey was seen. A small group of Cedar Waxwings were found. The Virginia Rail was heard at the Swamp Bridge. In the Arboretum a cooperative Brown-headed Nuthatch was catching some warming rays at the base of a pine tree giving the group a nice close-up view. Sadly no Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen....again. Pine Warblers were spectacular in the morning sun. 5 species of sparrows were identified No Dark-eyed Juncos were found. An interesting note, there was extensive beaver activity drastically changing one shore line. The lodge was located and what appears to be a critter camera was found which may be monitoring the activity. Should be fun to monitor the progress. A list of identified species follows.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Virginia Rail

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Field Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

February 21, 2021

At last a beautiful, but cold, day for a park walk. Those willing to brave the 30 degree temperatures to enjoy the sunshine were Cindy Shulz, Heidi Young, Lisa Billow, John Adair, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo, Sue Tomlin, Christiana Bobbit and Jane Frigo. In addition to the more common ducks seen, the group identified American Wigeon, American Black Duck and Lesser Scaup. Adult and immature Bald Eagles were seen and a very cooperative Cooper's Hawk. Tree Swallows were spotted dipping into the water in spite of the cold temperatures A Fox Sparrow was a welcome addition to the normal sparrows seen. Surprisingly no American Goldfinches or House Finches were heard or seen but a beautiful female Purple Finch was spotted at Swamp Point. Red-headed Woodpeckers have also been missing. A correction to the February 7, 2021 list....the gull seen on that day was NOT a Laughing Gull but a Ring-billed Gull. The wrong block was marked on the tally list, On February 21, 53 species were identified.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Cooper's Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Purple Finch

February 7, 2021

Super Bowl Sunday is today, February 7, 2021. The weather is a chilly 38 degrees and rain is falling. Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo and Jane Frigo suited up for the rain and managed to stick it out until 10 AM. They identified 33 species as they traveled from shelter to shelter in a vain attempt to stay dry. Obviously there were many misses but they were able to identify 6 duck species. The Northern Mockingbird was spotted after several misses on previous walks. The group enjoyed seeing both Kinglets. A species list follows.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Laughing Gull

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

January 3, 2021

Happy New Year! January 3, 2021 began with chilly temperatures (40's) and light rain. Jane Frigo, Cindy Shulz and Marc Nichols birded from the shelter area and later ventured to the Arboretum and Discovery Center before calling an end to the morning. A Fox Sparrow sighting started off the morning and was a delight to see. Ducks were hard to find with only a pair of Mallards and Hooded Mergansers, a Pied-billed Grebe and some Double Crested Cormorants on the water. In spite of the poor lighting, a Brown Creeper was found. The previous night's heavy rain left much of the grassy areas muddy which proved great for the flocking blackbirds. At the Arboretum views of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, European Starlings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, American Robins and even some Rusty Blackbirds were impressive. The group searched for Evening Grosbeaks reported farther north of the park, hoping they would continue moving south but no luck. However, later in the day Cindy reported seeing them for the first time at her feeders in Gloucester! Maybe they will reach the park by the next walk. A complete species list follows.

Mallard

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

Carolina Chickadee