May 3, 2026

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The day was beautiful but cold!  Skies were clear and the temperature stayed in the 50's and low 60's .  Winds were strong making it feel even colder.  Those participating included Dot Johnson, Sue Tomlin, Stuart Sweetman, Tom Charlock, Marc Nichols, Jane Frigo and first timers Greg Boice visiting from Washington State and locals Rich Shipley, Harold Golden and Erin Lantz,  The wind kept birds down but still 63 species were identified.  The group again altered the regular route because of migration and walked the entire White Oak Trail after surveying the Ranger parking lot.  Royal Tern, Bald Eagle and Osprey were seen.  Swallows were enjoying the windy weather with Barn, Tree and Northern Rough-winged flitting with Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts.  Warblers, both migrating and summer arrivals were the big topic of interest.  12  Warblers were identified--half were seen and half just heard.  A beautiful Wood Thrush was a treat but no Hermit Thrush was found.  Jane and Stuart, the last to leave, were rewarded with close-up looks at a perched Red-tailed Hawk at the Discovery Center and a Red-shouldered Hawk by the Ranger Station!  A complete species list follows.  

 

Canada Goose

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Yellow-billed Cuckoo*

Chimney Swift

Yellowlegs species

Royal Tern

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker*

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Yellow-throated Vireo*

Red-eyed Vireo*

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Purple Martin

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

White-breasted Nuthatch*

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Wren

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Wood Thrush

American Robin

House Finch*

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

White-throaterd Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Ovenbird*

Worm-eating Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler*

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

American Redstart*

Northern Parula*

Yellow Warbler*

Black-throated Blue Warbler*

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

Summer Tanager

Scarlet Tanager*

Northern Cardinal

 

April 19, 2026

 

The day turned out to be an anniversary for participants Sharon Burton and Bryan Barmore.  They attended their first Newport News Park walk 30 years ago, led by original leader Dorothy Mitchell.  Since that time they have continued their birding adventures.  To commemorate their anniversary they brought snacks to share, and made it a real celebration!  Others attending the walk were Beatrix Patino, Alessia Ciovati, Cindy Schulz, Dianne Snyder, Marc Nichols, Dot Johnson, Sarah Saville, Sue Tomlin, Stuart Sweetman, Berrett Robison, Bill Boeh, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacques van Montfrans, Todd Trousdell and Jane Frigo.  The Ranger Station Parking lot was very busy and 44 species were identified including a Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck, Royal Tern, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Herons and Egrets to name a few.  The group then skipped the Arboretum and Discovery Center and headed to the White Oak Trail to make the full two mile walk around the water,  First of season (FOS) birds included Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Summer Tanager and 3 warblers--Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush and Prothonotary Warbler.  An Eastern Rat Snake was seen and a pair of Barred Owls.  The early morning was warm but by mid-morn ing a cold front brought blustery conditions and rapidly falling temperatures (70's to 50's). When completing the trail a large flock of shore birds were seen trying to land in the shallows and being buffeted by wind. They were too far away to accurately count or identify but varied in size from peeps to sandpipers. Thankfully the rain held off and the group stayed dry.  The plan is to take this same White Oak walk on May 3.  A species list follows.

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Link to trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/502749

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Ruddy Duck

Mourning Dove

Chimney Swift

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Killdeer

Greater Yellowlegs

Laughing Gull

Royal Tern

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Barred Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

Red-eyed Vireo*

Blue Jay*

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher 

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Common Grackle

Ovenbird*

Louisiana Waterthrush*

Prothonotary Warbler

Common Yellowthroat*

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler*

Summer Tanager

Northern Cardinal

 

April 5, 2026

 

The first Sunday in April 2026 fell on Easter, April 5.  The weather was beautiful.  The temperature stayed in the 70's but winds gradually picked up before a cold front arrived later in the day.  Those participating in the morning included Dot Johnson, Dianne Snyder, Pete Peterman, Cindy Schulz, Stuart Sweetman, Eric Ferreira, Marc Nichols, Emily Fucarino, Laurie and Don Brunk (and Lilly), John and Marilyn Adair, Karthik Krishnamurtny and Jane Frigo.  54 species were identified.  Winter ducks were gone but several Royal Terns filled the sky.  Cormorants, Mallards and Geese remained and several Great Egrets brightened the shore.  A lone Pied-billed Grebe Grebe was seen.  A pair of Wood Ducks spotted near the shore by the first bridge was a treat!  Pollen from the trees was so heavy it blew above the ducks and looked like fog!  Bald Eagles were seen but surprisingly NO Great Blue Herons were found.  Cedar Waxwings were spotted at several spots.  White-throated Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Dark-eyed Juncos were still around.  Easy to hear but often hard to see are Brown-headed Nuthatches.  The group was treated to a perfect view of one on a large wooden power pole  by the pipeline across from the Discovery Center!  FOS (first of season) arrivals included Northern Parula and Yellow-throated Warbler.  At the Spawning Pond Stuart and Jane saw a flyover of 5 Glossy Ibis!   *******A SPECIAL NOTE******At the next walk, April 19, we will be alternating our route.  We will meet at the Ranger Station as usual and circle the regular route. But then we will skip the Arboretum and drive directly to the beginning of the White Oak Trail which is across from the Discovery Center. We will walk the entire White Oak Trail, circling to the Swamp Bridge and stopping at Swamp Point before reaching the Spawning Pond and returning to the Discovery Center.  The total distance is about 2 miles.  Our hope is to get more warblers and deeper wood species.    A complete species for the April 5th walk follows.

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Link to trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/497734

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Royal Tern

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Glossy Ibis

Great Egret

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Osprey

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow*

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Headed Nuthatch

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

House Finch

American Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee*

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Common Yellowthroat

Northern Parula

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler*

Northern Cardinal

 

March 15, 2026

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Theday brought the return to Daylight Savings Time and a dark beginning to the Sunday park walk.  The morning temperature was chilly, in the 40's, but a brisk wind made it feel cooler.  A sizable group trickled in (24) and many participants were able to stay much of the morning.  At the discovery Center Jason Strickland and his sons Jason Jr. and Landon joined us for the remainder of the walk to the Swamp Bridge.  Hannah Montalvo caught up with us too for a bit before her run. 57 total species were counted.  No early migrants were spotted yet.  Ducks were for the most part absent.  A few Wood Ducks were seen but they are year 'round residents.  A large group of Great Egrets brightened up the cove.  Woodpeckers were busy with all but a Hairy Woodpecker seen.  Red-headed Woodpeckers were found again between the small overlook and Swamp Point.  Although not large numbers, Ruby-crowned and Yellow-crowned Kinglets were seen.  The most impressive sight was at the Discovery Center where a large number of Tree Swallows lined up on the power lines.  A list of participants and a complete species list follows.

 

Dot Johnson, Sarah Saville, Donna McAdams, Dianne Snyder, John Adair, Cindy Schulz, Marc Nichols, Pete Peterman, Mary Jane Hall, Elisabeth Wilkins, Michelle Phillips, Berrett Robinson, Emily Fucarino, Julie Fucarino, Paul and Lauren Gottschlick, Shawn Dash, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacques van Montfrans, Stuart Sweetman, Karthik Krishnamurtny, Todd Trousdell, Sue Tomlin, Jason Strickland, Jason Junior and Landon Strickland, Hannah Montalvo and Jane Frigo.

​

Link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/489089

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

Mourning Dove

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great BLue Heron

BlackVulture

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

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Northern-Rough-winged Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Golden-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

European Starling

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Purple 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

Common Grackle

Pine Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal.

 

February 28, 2026

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The March 1, 2026 Park Walk was moved to Saturday, February 28 because of the annual One City Marathon held the first Sunday in March.  The race begins at Newport News Park and ends at the Victory Arch on 23rd Street.  The weather was great!  Skies were clear and winds calm.  The temperature stayed in the 40-50 degree range.  23 participated in the first half of the day with about half making it to all areas--Ranger lot, Arboretum, Discovery Center, Spawning Pond and Swamp Bridge.  A total of 55 species were identified.  Adult and immature Bald Eagles were seen.  Ducks were numerous with Gadwall, Ring-necked and Hooded Mergansers making up the bulk of the group.  A few American Wigeons were spotted.  Ten or more Great Egrets brightened up the shore line.  7 sparrow species were seen including several beautiful Fox Sparrows but no Chipping Sparrows were found.  A striking male Eastern Towhee was calling at the Discovery Center.  Again, no Golden-crowned Kinglets were found and just one Ruby-crowned Kinglet was seen.  A complete species list will follow the list of participants.  Note "*" indicates bird heard only.

 

Dan Sims, Larry Lewis, Beatriz Patino, Alessia Ciovati, Stephen and Tammy Taylor, Stew and Teresa Nelson, John and Marilyn Adair, Jennifer McPeters, Pete Peterman, Josh and Henry Jaszemski, Ali Bonyadlou, Karthick Krishnamurtny, Todd Trousdell, Bennett Robison, Eric Ferreira, Sue Tomlin, Marc Nichols, Stuart Sweetman and Jane Frigo.

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Link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/482398

 

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Gadwall

American Wigeon

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Hooded Merganser

Mourning Dove

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Common Loon

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker*

Blue Jay

American Crow

Fish Crow

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Ruby-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

Field Sparrow

Fox 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 15, 2026

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Conditions today at the park were certainly better than the first of the month.  On February 15,  2026, skies were cloudy until noon when drizzle arrived.  Winds were calm and the temperature stayed in the 40's.  Those participating in the morning were Dianne Snyder, Dot Johnson, Susan Maples, Marc Nichols, Cindy Schulz, Berrett Robinson, John Adair, Marilyn Adair, Eric Ferreira, Stuart Sweetman and Jane Frigo.  During the morning the group identified 56 species.  The best species of the day was Canvasbacks Duck--seldom seen at the park.  The Northern Pintails, which had been present for several walks, were absent.  A Common Raven was heard.  Apparently he has been frequently observed in the Campground area.  Big flocks of blackbirds and American Robins were seen.  Fox Sparrows and Hermit Thrush were present.and a spectacular Swamp Sparrow showed up at the Swamp Bridge.  Red-headed Woodpeckers appear to have returned and hopefully will nest in the area between the Spawning Pond Bridge and Swamp Point.  Sadly only 1 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet could be found and not a single Golden-crowned Kinglet was spotted or heard.  A complete species list follows.

 

Link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/479710​

 

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Mallard

American Black Duck

Canvasback

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Mourning Dove

Killdeer

Ring-billed Gull

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

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

Common Raven*

Carolina Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Tree Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

White-breasted Nuthatch

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Creeper.

Winter Wren

Carolina Wren

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Bluebird

Hermit Thrush

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing*

American Goldfinch

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

SwampSparrow

Eastern Towhee*

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Common Grackle

Pine Warbler*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

​

February 1, 2026

 

The February 1, 2026 Newport News Park Walk was canceled due to weather--cold and ice.

 

January 17, 2026

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January 18, 2026 began with a light, steady drizzle that continued throughout the morning.  Thankfully there was no wind and the temperature remained constant in the middle forties.  In spite of the poor weather Sarah Saville, Marc Nichols and Jane Frigo turned out for the walk and  persevered until about 10 o'clock.  They were able to identify 44 species before calling it quits.  Waterfowl numbers remained about the same as the previous walk. Several Great Egrets brightened up the cove by the first bridge. Sparrows were also spotted and at least two Hermit Thrush were counted.  Adult and immature Bald Eagles kept the ducks attention.  Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative in February.  A complete species list follows.

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Link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/466551

 

Canada Goose

Gadwall

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Pied-billed Grebe

Double-crested Cormorant

Ring-billed Gull

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Bald Eagle

Red-shouldered Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Red-headed lWoodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker*

Blue Jay

American 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

Fox Sparrow*

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee*

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal

 

January 4, 2026

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2026 began with a VERY large group of walk participants--24 to be exact.  Participants included regulars, first timers and a visiting photography club.  The day was perfect with clear skies, no wind, a beautiful moon and temperature's in the 30's.  The group identified 57 species. Notable waterfowl included a flyover of Tundra Swans, multiple Northern Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, American Black Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and 200+ Gadwall.  Bald Eagles were out with at least 6 adults and juveniles perched, playing and hunting.  All 7 woodpecker species were spotted with several adult Red-headed seen.  Robins were abundant as were blackbirds.  Several Rusty Blackbirds were spotted.  Six sparrow species were seen including Fox Sparrow.  Sadly those species missed included Belted Kingfisher, Black Vulture, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow and Pine Warbler.  The Barred Owl has been absent for several walks.  A list of participants and a complete species list will follow.

 

Dot Johnson                      Marc Nichols                              Marian Santomauro

Sarah Saville                     Melissa Freudenburg                 Mike Santomauro

Larry Hose                         Elizabeth Wilkins                       John Newenstyn

Chris Jamieson                  Jacques van Montfrans             Debbie Newenstyn

Sarah Ware                        John Adair                                 Nancy Morewitz

Berrett Robinson               Wes L'talien                                Barb Hays

Cindy Schulz                     Stuart Sweetman                        Jane Frigo

Pete Peterman                  Rock Moeslien                           Mickey Simonds

​

Link to the trip report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/460618

 

Canada Goose

Tundra Swan

Wood Duck*

Gadwall

Mallard

American Black Duck

Northern Pintail

Ring-necked Duck

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Mourning Dove

Virginia Rail*

Ring-billed Gull

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Egret

Great Blue Heron

Turkey Vulture

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

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

House Sparrow

American Goldfinch

Fox Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Eastern Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Rusty Blackbird

Common Grackle

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Northern Cardinal