May 4, 2025

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The day began with overcast skies and an approaching cold front expected to bring heavy rain.  The first bird walk in May usually involves a walk around the reservoir on the 2 1/2 mile White Oak Trail in search of warblers like Waterthrush and Ovenbirds.  However, with the threatening weather that plan had to be changed.  Still, 10 birders showed up at 7 AM and were able to identify 33 species in before 8:30 AM when the skies really opened up.  Those participating were Chris and Nichole Krueger, Sue Tomlin, John Adair, Cindy Schulz, Tom Charlock, Susan Maples, Melissa Freudenberg, Jane Frigo and first timers Abigail Brown and Aussie Chris Jamieson.  Several birds were just heard like first of season American Redstart.  Several Great Egrets were spotted but no Great Blue Herons.  Side by side views of Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers gave a wonderful chance notice field marks.  As an added bit of information, Nichole showed us “dog vomit slime” a fungi most have seen in their gardens at one time another!  A complete bird species list follows.

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/361721

 

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Solitary Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Great Egret

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker*

Hairy Woodpecker* 

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Wood Pewee

Great Crested Flycatcher

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch*

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher*

Carolina Wren

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow*

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Common Yellowthroat*

American Redstart*

Pine Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler*

Northern Cardinal

 

April 20, 2025

 

Easter Sunday fell on April 20, 2025.  The weather was in the 70’s, winds were calm and skies were cloudy.  Turn out for this walk was rather small—only 7 participated.  They included Dianne Snyder, Cindy Schulz, Tom Charlock, Karthik Krishnamurtny, Jane Frigo and first-time visitor Laura Bowles.  The group still identified 56 species!  A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still around but all Golden-crowned Kinglets had left.  New arrivals included Green Heron, Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher and Gray Catbird.  As usual, the group looked for the Barred Owl without success until running into a HRBC member, Honey Marsh.  She was able to take the group back to Swamp Point and found a pair of Barred Owls!  For the second time the group thought they may have heard a Red-headed Woodpecker but uncertainty left it off the list.  A heads-up for the first Sunday walk in May, the group will probably make a circle on the White Oak Trail instead of the usual route.  This will give a little variety and hope is to find different species like Ovenbirds and Waterthrush.  A complete species list follows.

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Laughing Gull

Royal Tern

Double-crested Cormorant

Green Heron

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe*

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Red-eyed Vireo*

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch*

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Wren

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

House Finch

American Goldfinch 

Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee*

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula 

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

April 6, 2025

 

Spring has arrived and change is in the air.  Today’s, April 6, 2025, began with adjustments.  The Ranger parking lot was blocked so the morning meeting place was moved to the next available shelter lot.  Dianne Snyder helped to direct participants.  22 people participated.  They included Bill Boeh, Dianne Snyder, Hannah Montalvo, John and Marilyn Adair, Donna McAdams,  Cathy Bond, Bob and Margie Gomez, Mary Jane Hall, William and Rachel McKellar, Larry Hose, Danny Smith, Stuart Sweetman, Lauren Forero, Tom Charlock, Shawn Dash, Todd Trousdell, Marc Nichols, Heidi Young and Jane Frigo.  The group identified 60 species.  The weather was clear and windy.  The temperature reached a warm 85 degrees!  Needless to say, most of the ducks had departed. A Ruddy duck and a Pied-billed Grebe were spotted along with resident Canada Geese, Mallard and Wood Duck.  New arrivals included Royal Tern, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Palm Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler.   Two interesting observations were of a Blue Jay construction a nest—carefully placing sticks to form a base, and an Eastern Bluebird working on  a tree cavity.  As always, it was a wonderful way to spend the morning .  A complete species list follows.

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/348547

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Laughing Gull

Royal Tern

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Northern Harrier

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

White-eyed Vireo*

Blue Jay

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Common Grackle

Black-and-white Warbler*

Prothonotary Warbler*

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

March 16, 2025

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 March 16, 2025 was cool, calm and overcast.  Thunderstorms and high winds were predicted to move in later in the day.  Those participating in the morning were Kate Schaller, Marc Nichols, Chris and Nicole Krueger, Dianne Snyder, Pete Peterman, Ellis Maxey, Cindy Schultz, Stuart Sweetman, John and Marilyn Adair, Bill Boeh, Mickey Simonds, Karthick Krishnamurtny, Melissa Freudenberg, Sarah Ware, Hannah Montalvo, Tom Charlock, William and Rachel McKellar, Jane Frigo and newcomers Larry Hose, Bob and Margie Gomez and Jennifer McPeters.  With so many eyes and ears the group was able to identify 64 species.  Many waterfowl were still including Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe.  As for woodpeckers, all 6 species were seen with only the Red-headed still absent.  The group had quite a discussion over the identification of an accipiter demonstrating how different individuals see things.  With this bird it was whether the tail was straight or notched and whether the head was round or raised.  Many photos were taken and the discussion will continue.  All other winter residents were still found although some may leave before the next walk.  Hopefully some migrants and summer residents will arrive by the next walk.  A spectacular sight was a large group of tree swallows filling the air.  When they tired themselves out some rested on the branches of a tree in the water and made it look like a Christmas tree full of ornaments!  Finally, on the walk back from the Swamp Bridge the Barred Owl was spotted!!!  A complete species follows.

 

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/341538

 

Canada Goose

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Bald Eagle

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Peregrine Falcon

Eastern Phoebe

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 Sparrow

House Finch*

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Common Grackle

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

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March 1, 2025

 

March has begun and the first walk of the month always falls on same date as the Newport News ALL CITY MARATHON.  This 26 mile race begins at Newport News City Park and hence prevents us from meeting on Sunday.  As a compromise, the park walk is moved to the Saturday preceding  the race.  Such was the case this year.  Saturday, March 1, 2025, turned out to be the better of the two days weather wise.  The skies were clear to partly cloudy, winds were relatively calm and temperatures began in the 40's and climbed to the 70's.  Those participating in the morning were John and Marilyn Adair, William and Rachel McKellar, Dianne Snyder, Dave Brown, Bill Boeh, Shawn Dash, Rock Moeslein, Todd Trousdell, Sue Tomlin, Tom Charlock, and Jane Frigo.  The group identified 54 species, missed a few target birds and had some memorable experiences.  A survey of ducks began the morning with Ruddies, Mergansers and Gadwall making up the most in numbers of waterfowl seen.  Several Great Egrets added a burst of light to the shaded areas.  A pair of Belted Kingfishers traveled up and down the water with their rattling vocalization. A cooperative pair of Red-tailed Hawks sat shoulder to shoulder, one facing forward, one facing backward.   A once-in-a-lifetime scene played out involving a Coopers Hawk and a Fish Crow.  The hawk singled out a crow and went in for the attack and captured the crow with both plunging into the water.  The hawk held on as the crow struggled and his family screamed and circled above.  The interaction went on for several minutes with the outcome uncertain.  The hawk was unable to lift itself from the water with the crow.  Eventually the hawk let go and barely was able to lift itself out of the water and reach a limb on shore to recover.  A final trip to the Swamp Bridge yielded Rusty Blackbirds and a Bald Eagle!  It was a great day and all were tired.  A complete species list follows.  

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/336648

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Virginia Rail*

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Cooper's Hawk

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy 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 Creeper

Winter Wren

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

Rusty Blackbird

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

February 16, 2025

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The day began with left over drizzle, very cloudy skies and the threat of high winds reaching 40-60 mph by mid morning but temperatures in the 60’s.  Marc Nichols, Tina White, Rachel and William McKellar, Sue Tomlin and Jane Frigo were determined to make the most of the time they had and were able to identify 55 species before 10 AM.  Ducks were the first to be checked out.  11 species were seen with Ruddies, Hoodies and Gadwall making up the most numerous species but American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Common Loon and Pied-billed Grebe added to the mix.  Surprisingly, no Ring-necked Ducks were spotted.  Several Great Egret remained but not nearly in the numbers seen on the last walk.  6 sparrow species were identified with multiple Field Sparrows fluttering in the meadow area under the power lines at the Discovery Center.  Notable misses were Brown-headed Nuthatch, Brown Creeper and Northern Flicker.  A complete species list follows.   Also a special note…..The next park walk will be held on Saturday instead.

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/333463

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Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Green-winged Teal

Lesser Scaup

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Killdeer

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Common Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Winter Wren

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

American Goldfinch

Field Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee*

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

February 2, 2025

 

February 2025 has arrived and last week’s frozen waterways are gone.  However, the morning temperature remained in the 30’s and conditions were cold enough to pass out hand warmers.  VSO (Virginia Society of Ornithology) was having their Winter Retreat to the Outer Banks this weekend and so a smaller group was expected at the park.  That turned out not to be true.  21 people showed up for the Sunday walk and identified 55 species. Those participating included Elizabeth Wilkins and Jacques van Montfrans, Nichole and Chris Kruegar, Bill Boeh, June Hartzler and Gary Wright, William and Rachel McKellar, Cindy Schulz, Todd Trousdell, Marilyn and John Adair, Stuart Sweetman, Karthik Krishnamurtny, Sue Tomlin, Marc Nichols, Mickey Simonds, Melissa Freudenberg, Jane Frigo and first timer Oriana Palumbo from South Carolina.  The group began with a spectacular sighting of over 20 Great Egrets sheltering in the inlet by the Ranger Parking Lot.  The count for egrets for the morning totaled over 30!  Next the search was on for ducks.  The Common Goldeneye, seen during the last walk, was found again along with many Ruddy Ducks and Gadwall.  Several Northern Shovelers were found and that circling feeding behavior was observed.   Elizabeth and Jacques walked a bit farther past the Swamp Bridge looking for the swans but were unsuccessful.  However they did see Wood Ducks. A lone Laughing Gull was found among the Double-crested Cormorants and Ring-billed Gulls on the pipeline.  Sparrows were well represented with Field Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throats, Song and Swamp seen and also Eastern Towhee.  Hermit Thrush remained along their road to the Spawning Pond and silently watched as the group walked by.  There was talk of a pair of Tundra Swans being seen at the park but they could not be found by the group.  However, John Adair, on his return from the Swamp Bridge, may have flushed them but we can’t be sure.  Definitely something to keep looking for next time.  A complete species list follows.

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/326874

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

Mallard

Bufflehead

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Virginia Rail*

Laughing Gull 

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egrets

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

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-headed Nuthatch*

Brown Creeper

Winter Wren

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

American Goldfinch

Field Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

January 19, 2025

 

The day began with very overcast skies and even fog in some areas.  The temperature was above freezing and rose to the mid forties.  Winds were calm but still there was a distinct chill to the air.  15 people participated in the Newport News Park bird walk.  They included Bill Boeh, Pete Peterman, Dianne Snyder, Rachel and William McKellar, Danny Smith, John and Marilyn Adair, Stuart Sweetman, Chris Kruegar, Mickey Simonds, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo, Karthik Krishnamurtny and Jane Frigo.  Over the morning the group identified 58 species.  Areas of the reservoir remain frozen and will certainly increase with the frigid temperatures predicted for next week.  Waterfowl made up a big number of species.  Large numbers of Hooded Mergansers, Gadwall and Ruddy Ducks were identified.  Other ducks identified included Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, American Coot and Pied-billed Grebe and a fly-over Wood Duck.  Ring-billed Gulls were plentiful both resting on the water and circling in the air.  Several Bald Eagles were seen and one pair was observed coupling.  Great Egrets missing in recent walks numbered 10 or more.  Woodpeckers were also abundant with all but the Red-headed seen.  Hermit Thrush continue to be seen and actually follow the group through the park.  Kinglets and Titmice were busy foraging.  A complete species list follows.

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The trip report is: https://ebird.org/tripreport/321995

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

American Black Duck

Green-winged Teal

Ring- necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

American Coot

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

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

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

January 5, 2025

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Happy New Year 2025!  January 5 began another year of birding at Newport News City Park.  The weather was freezing with the morning temperature  24 degrees and only warming to the low 40’s by the end of the day.  Although skies were clear for most of the day, winds were variable and made hand warmers and gloves a necessity.  Still, nine hardy birders met the challenge and identified 55 species for the morning.  Those facing the cold were Marc Nichols, Pete Peterman, Danny Smith, John Adair, Cindy Schulz, Stuart Sweetman, Mary Jane Hall, Melissa Freudenberg and Jane Frigo.  Right off the bat, Marc Nichols spotted a hen Common Goldeneye! The rare visitor sparked excitement and led to a chase to insure everyone got to see her and discuss field marks, etc.  Overall the cold weather brought an abundance of ducks to the water.  Those species seen included Canada Geese, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, American Black Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck and Pied-billed Grebe!  All woodpecker species were seen with the exception of Red-headed.  Sadly, they have been missing for some time.  Sparrows were also abundant including a Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, Eastern Towhee and a possible Savannah Sparrow.  A single Rusty Blackbird was glimpsed near the Swamp Bridge.  Ice dotted the area and future weather forecasts more cold weather and possible snow for the coming week.  A complete species list follows.

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The trip report is:  https://ebird.org/tripreport/317411

 

Canada Goose

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

American Black Duck

Green-winged Teal

Ring-necked Duck

Greater Scaup

Common Goldeneye

Hooded Merganser

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Bald Eagle

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-billed Sapsucker

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-headed Nuthatch*

Winter Wren

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

 

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