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).

2022 Bird Walks Summary

May 1, 2022

Migration was in full swing on May 1, 2022 and the Newport News Park walk reflected the influx of species. 76 species were identified by the group. Participants were Grace Buskirk, Bill Boeh, Sue Tomlin, Stuart Sweetman, Tom Charlick, Todd Troussdell, Marc Nichols, Terry Moore and Jane Frigo. Stuart Sweetman led the group around the White Oak Trail and was able to identify several first of season arrivals. Some of those were Green Heron, Eastern Kingbird, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher and Eastern Wood-Pewee. There were misses for the morning, however. like Northern Flicker, Red-headed Woodpecker and Song Sparrow. The walk lasted until early afternoon and the group definitely was tired but the morning was well worth it! A complete species list follows. Remember an * after the species indicates "heard only."

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Virginia Rail*

Solitary Sandpiper

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Belted Kingfisher

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Acadian Flycatcher*

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

White-eyed Vireo*

Yellow-throated Vireo*

Red-eyed Vireo*

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Tree Swallow

Barn Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

Veery

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Ovenbird*

Louisiana Waterthrush

Black-and-white Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula*

Blackpoll Warbler*

Black-throated Blue Warbler*

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler*

Eastern Towhee*

Chipping Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Summer Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

Northern Cardinal

Blue Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

April 17, 2022

April 17, 2022 was Easter Sunday and 10 people chose to celebrate the holiday by participating in the Newport News Park walk. Those spending the morning at the park were Todd Trousdell, Tom Charlock, Dianne Snyder, Stuart Sweetman, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacques van Montfrans, Jane Frigo and Marilyn and John Adair. The group began a little tired because most had participated in the Hampton Roads Bird Club Spring Count the previous day, but early migration possibilities made the effort worthwhile. The group was able to identify 68 species. Marc Nichols found the Great Horned Owl in the Arboretum and most of the group got to see the owl before it took flight across Constitution Avenue. Several Palm Warblers were seen pumping their tails and showing off their beautiful rusty caps and vibrant yellow chests. Royal and Caspian terns were seen and provided a lively discussion among the group about ways to differentiate the two species. Another treat was a Blue-headed Vireo at the Arboretum. The group got to see the vireo vocalize. An Orchard Oriole was seen, too. A FOS Prothonotary Warbler was particularly cooperative at Swamp Point and many were able to get some excellent photos. By far the best sighting was of a FOS Hooded Warbler! The group missed it on the way to the Swamp Bridge but spent extra time looking for it on the return trip and were rewarded. Jacque got some wonderful pictures!! Please note that on the next walk, May 1, Stuart Sweetman will be leading the group around the White Oak Trail. This special walk will be to catch the peak of the migrating birds and will involve a bit more walking. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Mallard

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Caspian Tern

Royal Tern

Mourning Dove

Great Horned Owl

Barred Owl*

Chimney Swift

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Great Crested Flycatcher

Blue-headed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

N. Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch*

Brown-headed Nuthatch*

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat*

Hooded Warbler

Northern Parula

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler*

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Orchard Oriole

House Finch

American Goldfinch

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022 was a perfect day to enjoy Newport News City Park and experience birding. Skies were clear and the temperature pleasant, staying in the 50's and 60's. 18 people participated in the morning walk. They included Elizabeth Wilkins, Melissa Freudenberg, Rob Nichols, Dianne Snyder, June Hartzler, Gary Wright, Bill Boeh, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Cindy Schulz, Hannah Montalvo, Tom Charlock, Jane Frigo, John and Marilyn Adair, Lynn and Chris Hakanson and first timer Grace Buskirk. Together the group identified 59 species which included 4 FOS,,,Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Warbler, Palm Warbler and White-eyed Vireo. The group could not be sure if one bird was a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawk so agreed to just count it as "hawk species". Cedar Waxwings were still at the Arboretum along with Dark-eyed Juncos. Only the Ruby-crowned Kinglet could be found so there was speculation the Golden-crowned Kinglet may have left for the season. Brown Creepers were spotted and Hooded Mergansers. Surprisingly, no Northern Mockingbird or Brown Thrasher could be found. The group spent time discussing Muskrats and Beavers as one or the other was swimming in the area near the paddle boats. Also a beautiful butterfly was seen and the group wondered if it was a Black-swallowtail or dark morph Tiger-swallowtail. A heads up to those planning on attending the first walk in May, Stuart Sweetman will be leading the group around the 2 and a half mile White Oak Trail in an effort to get more of the woodland warblers. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Hawk species

Red-tailed Hawk

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Royal Tern

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker*

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

White-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

Winter Wren

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Common Yellowthroat

Palm Warbler

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

March 20, 2022

Time is passing quickly and Spring is in full swing. March 20, 2022 at the park brought the departure of a majority of the duck species and the arrival of two summer residents--Purple Martin and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Participants in the morning included Pete and Charm Peterman, Chris and Lynne Hakanson, Tom Charlock, Todd Trousbell, Stuart Sweetman, SueTomlin, Melissa Freudenberg, Shawn Dash and Jane Frigo. Winter residents included Winter Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and both Kinglets, to name a few. Misses for the morning were Black Vulture, Mourning Dove and Northern Mockingbird. A species list follows.

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Virginia Rail

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Belted Kingfisher*

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

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

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

March 5, 2022

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Virginia Rail

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Belted Kingfisher*

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Purple Martin

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

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

March 5, 2022

The regular first Sunday walk at Newport News Park, scheduled for March 6, 2022, had to be cancelled due to the One City Marathon. A last minute change to Saturday, March 5, 2022, was decided and proved to be a great decision. The only problem was getting the word of the change out to everyone, Thanks to Tom Charlock sending an email to members, a few loyal birders turned out on Saturday. The group included Pete Peterman, Dave Youker, Heidi Young. Marc Nichols, Sue Tomlin, Stuart Sweetman, Jane Frigo and John and Marilyn Adair. The weather was perfect, 40-60 degrees, skies variable and winds light. By noon the group was able to identify 63 species! It was a banner day for ducks with 8 species seen, the best being a pair of Northern Shovelers. A thrilling sign that migration was beginning was a huge V of Tundra Swans moving northwest! 16 Great Egrets were feeding in the upper reservoir. Water levels were exceptionally low and the group felt that the shallow water made feeding more appealing to both ducks and Great Egrets. An early walk to the Swamp Bridge gave everyone a wonderful view of the Virginia Rail. As with the last walk, several rails were heard but only one was curious enough to walk into the open and show his beautiful rusty plumage! On the return trip from the swamp, Marc Nichols was able to locate a Barred Owl being mobbed by jays. Anytime an owl is seen is a great day! The cherry blossoms were blooming at the Arboretum and Cedar Waxwings were seen gleaning the last of the holly berries. A species list follows (*seen only).

Canada Goose

Tundra Swan

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Northern Shoveler

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Virginia Rail

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy 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*

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Northern Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch*

February 20, 2022

February 20, 2022 was clear and cold with freezing temperatures at 7 AM and not rising much over the morning. Emily Argo, Pete Peterman, Bill Boeh, Dianne Snyder, Stuart Sweetman, Rob Nichols, Cindy Schulz, John Adair, Heidi Young and Jane Frigo participated in the walk and were able to identify 50 species. Not as many varieties of ducks were seen but Great Egrets dotted the banks. A lone Laughing Gull was seen among the many Double-crested Cormorants and Ring-billed Gulls lined up on the pipeline. By far the best sighting was a group of Virginia Rails at the Swamp Bridge. Although the rails have been heard occasionally their secretive behavior makes them very difficult to see. This morning was the exception. Quite a bit of time was spent on the Swamp Bridge platform waiting for a glimpse of the rails chasing each other through the reeds. At least 3 were seen with more possible in the group. A complete list of sightings follows.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Hooded Merganser

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Virginia Rail

Laughing Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

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

Cedar Waxwing

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

February 6, 2022

At last, a Sunday bird walk that didn't require sprinting from shelter to shelter to avoid rain! February 6, 2022 was clear but cold (29 to 35 degrees). Shifting breezes made it seem even colder. Those braving the weather included Rob Nichols, Emily Argo, Bill Boeh, Stuart Sweetman, Melissa Freudnberger, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo, Jane Frigo and Bay Journal reporter Jeremy Cox. Winter storms hitting the northern states and bringing two weekends of snowfall to the Tidewater area also brought in a variety of ducks. They included Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Buffelhead, Hooded Merganser and a possible Northern Pintail hen. A group of Canada Geese seemed smaller and had what appeared to be shorter necks than those usually seen on the golf course. The idea that they may be a migrating flock was considered. Ring-billed Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants lined the pipeline. All 7 woodpecker species were seen with the exception of Hairy and Pileated being heard only. A group of Cedar Waxwings was enjoyed at the Arboretum.. Surprisingly, the usually ever abundant Yellow-rumped Warbler was not seen until the group made the walk to the Swamp Bridge. Jeremy Cox was doing research on the Merlin app. The birders matched their skills with Merlin. It was amazing how much they agreed. At the end of the morning 55 species were identified, an amazing number for the first of February! A complete species list follows. * indicates birds heard only.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

American Wigeon

American Black Duck

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker*

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker*

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

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

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch

American Goldfinch

January 16, 2022

At last a morning walk that didn't begin with rain but rather ended with rain. January 16, 2022 began with the temperature at freezing, cloudy skies and rain/snow to arrive later in the day. Heidi Young,, John Adair, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Cindy Schulz and Jane Frigo birded from 7 AM to 10:30 AM and identified 48 species before the sleet started. All birds counted were seen with the exception of Downy Woodpecker and House Finch heard only. Adult and juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen again. Herring and Ring-billed gulls were identified. Surprisingly no Great Blue Heron was seen, possibly because of ice near the shore line. Other misses were Pine Warbler and Yellow-rumped Warbler. A Hermit Thrush gave quite a show at the Arboretum providing long looks from every angle. Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards and Pied-billed Grebes were spotted but it took Marc Nichols to find a couple Gadwalls and Great Egrets and a Kingfisher in the Spawning Pond after the group called it quits. Stuart Sweetman added the Winter Wren by the Ranger Station as he exited the park. All in all it was a great, but cold, morning. A complete species list follows.

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Ring-billed Gull

Herring Gull

Mourning Dove

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Downy Woodpecker*

Northern Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

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

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

House Finch*

American Goldfinch

January 2, 2022

January 2, 2022 was the beginning of another year of bi-monthly bird walks at Newport News Park. Rain dampened the mood but didn't stop the birdwatchers! Cindy Schulz, Jacque van Montfrans, Elizabeth Wilkins, John Adair, Tom Morocco, Melissa Freudenberg, Shawn Dash, Marc Nichols and Jane Frigo braved the weather and were able to identify 44 species before 10 AM. The morning began with a pair of Horned Owls vocalizing from the campground. In the Ranger Parking Lot the group moved from shelter to shelter until the rain turned to a light mist. Water species seen included Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant and Great Blue Heron. Hopefully more duck species will be pushed down with the approaching cold fronts. Adult and juvenile Bald Eagles were seen but no Kingfisher. Finally an adult Red-headed Woodpecker showed up and gave the group a real show. Kinglets, both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned, brightened up the morning. The group also got to see a beaver crossing reservoir! A complete species list follows. *indicates heard only

Canada Goose

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove

Great Horned Owl*